Page 174 - August 2017

Zia Derby-RG2
PERCYJONES
by Michael Cusortelli
Percyjones has enjoyed a successful return to New Mexico, as the fastest qualifier sprinted to a 1-length victory in the July 30
Zia Derby-RG2 at Ruidoso Downs.
Ridden by Ricky Ramirez, Percyjones went
400 yards in :20.081 while scoring his first stakes win. Trey Wood prepped the geld- ing for owners Terry and Irene Stennett who acquired Percyjones as a
yearling for $35,000 at the 2015 New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso.
Percyjones began his career with a successful
run at Ruidoso Downs last summer, as the gelding
won two of his four outs
and ran second to Running Dragon in the 350-yard $364,256 Mountain Top Futurity-RG3. He also finished third, 1 1/4-lengths behind longshot winner Miss
Governor’s Cup Derby-RG3
EVIL GENIUS
by John Moorehouse
Evil Genius pulled off an upset in the $198,000 Governor’s Cup Derby-RG3 on July 29 at Los Alamitos. A 14-1 longshot with just 2 wins in 12 starts, Evil Genius prevailed over a field of
several impressive sophomores. He broke from the 5-gate, quickly making his way up to third in a fairly crowded field. Part of a 3-way battle for the lead as they entered the stretch, Evil Genius passed Katella Deli & One Sweet Runner, reach- ing the wire first by a neck.
Oscar Peinado was aboard
Evil Genius, who finished the
400-yards in :19.871 for an
89 speed index while bringing
in an $83,160 payday that
swelled his lifetime bankroll
to $96,835. Legendary trainer
Paul Jones preps Evil Genius
and co-owns the gelding with
Abigail Kawananakoa.
Looking back during an interview with stallion- esearch.com after the race,
172 SPEEDHORSE, August 2017
Call Me First, in the 400-yard $20,000 By By JJ Stakes.
Traveling to Lone Star Park, Percyjones rewarded his connections with a third-place finish, a neck behind winner High Plains Perry, in the 400-yard $1-million Texas Classic Futurity-G1. Percyjones has won all three of his races this year, including the last of four
Zia Derby trials on July 15. All told, Percyjones has won six of nine starts, and
the $73,922 winner’s share of the stakes-record $176,005 Zia Derby purse pushed his bankroll to $241,972.
Percyjones was bred by Benny and Donna Smith out of 2-time winner Maggies Miracle Lx. She has produced two stakes winners, including Datona Doll, a full sister to Percyjones who won last year’s $205,903 New Mexico Cup
Derby-RG2 at Zia Park. Percyjones is also a half brother to Tricks My Pick, who ran third in the ’09 New Mexico Cup Futurity-RG2 at Zia Park.
Running Dragon (Zulu Dragon-Banking Lane) finished second for owner By By JJ LLC. Adrian Ramos rode the homebred filly for trainer Juan M. Gonzalez. Rogers Farms’ Moonshine Milly (First Moonflash-Rimes Bouquet) ran third. Ricky Ramirez rode the sorrel filly for trainer Mike Joiner.
Mitey Man (First Moonflash-Neons Miracle), A Sure First (First Moonflash-Sure Thats Hot), Pj Runaway Bunny (Sign To Be A Runaway-On A Bunny), Me Like Daddy (Big Daddy Cartel-Mostly Me), Altitude Project (Woodbridge-S L R Lonesomedove), Yudes Jess Dashin (Jess A Chicks-Baby Doll Dash), and Mystic Daddy (Big Daddy Cartel- Arbor Mist).
Ruidoso Downs $176,005 • 400 yards :20.081 • si 83
Mr Jess Perry
Jesse James Jr
Loose Lips
PERCYJONES, ’14-g.
Dean Miracle
Maggies Miracle Lx
Miss Bunny Bullion
Jones said that last year, he considered Evil Genius “the best two year old I had in the barn. Then it kind of went downhill from there, but he’s finally coming back around
and looking like the horse we thought he was.”
After winning his debut in a 300-yard maiden last April, he notched his 2nd win in a May 14 allowance, before finishing 3rd in his Governor’s Cup Derby trial and logging the 4th fastest time
in the qualifying ladder.
“The horse has matured and
has filled out,” Jones said. “He’s breaking better. He’s start-
ing to come into himself and becoming the horse we thought he was. We gelded and that helped. I think he’s matured and starting to run. It was a tough race. I didn’t come into this race thinking I was going to win. I’d be happy if I could be in the top four. I always thought he had talent. This is
the best race he’s run and I guess that’s what it takes to win, you have to run your best race.”
Jones bred Evil Genius along with D. & E. Knox out of lightly raced You Call It Madness. Evil Genius is her first starter from 3 foals.
Katella Deli (Foose-Katie Katella) was 2nd under Rodrigo Acevez for owners Paul Blanchard & Dutch Masters III and trainer Jaime Gomez. One Sweet Runner (One Sweet Jess-Check
Her Running) was 3rd under Jesus Ayala for
J. Francisco Diaz & trainer Lindolfo Diaz. Followed by Kiddy Up Cowgirl (Kiddy Up-Girls Choice), Western Coast (Hawkinson-West Coast Cash), Myfavoritestreaker (Favorite Cartel- Checkoutthestreaker), American Force (First Down Dash-American Purse), AJS Anna Smoke (Separatist-Annas Babe), DQ’d from 5th to 9th Renewed (Walk Thru Fire-Make Over), and A Bit Quirky (Stel Corona-Dont Pass Bar).
Los Alamitos $198,000 •400 yards :19.871 • si 89
Favorite Trick TB
Favorite Cartel
Shenoshercorona
EVIL GENIUS, ‘14-g.
Mr Jess Perry
You Call It Madness
First Down Toll
RACING NEWS
Los Alamitos Ruidoso Downs