Page 146 - March 2016

Sawgrass Stakes
HABITS SECRET
by Michael Cusortelli
Habits Secret, a 6-year-old horse owned by Ricardo Martinez of Sauk Village, Illinois, scored a neck victory in the $26,500 Sawgrass Stakes
at Hialeah Park on Feb. 7.
Ridden by Cristian Esqueda for trainer Sergio
Concepcion and sent to post at odds of 5-1, Habits Secret went 440 yards in :21.596 and earned a 95 speed index. The victory is his fourth career stakes score and the $16,960 winner’s share of the Sawgrass Stakes pushed his bankroll to $324,374. Habits Secret also won the 2014 Bradford Stakes, the 2013 South Florida Derby, and the 2012 Governor’s Stakes. He was the AQHA Central Hi-Point 3-Year- Old Colt in 2013.
Habits Secret’s win in the Sawgrass Stakes, which is the last major local prep for the 440-yard $100,000 Sam Abbey Memorial Championship set to run on Feb. 28, marked the horse’s 10th win in 23 outs. He has won three of his eight races at Hialeah.
Habits Secret, who was bred in California by Vessels Stallion Farm, LLC, is one of two winners from three starters out of Habitual Dreamer. The mare is a full sister to two Grade 1 winners, includ- ing 2-time Champion Old Habits.
Eyesa Famous Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Eyesa Glass) finished second for owner Cesar J. Dabdoub. Eyesa Famous Eagle was ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo for trainer Judd Kearl.
There was a dead heat for third place between Parti Favor (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Funparty) under Rolando Pina for owner Joe M. Davis, who also trains the 4-year-old gelding; and Daytona B (First Down Dash-Dashing Pana), who was rid- den by Francisco Ramirez, Jr. for owner Ricardo Martinez and trainer Sergio Concepcion.
Dynasty Of Habits (FDD Dynasty-One More Habit) & Streakin Regard (Chicks Regard-Streakin La Tac) completed the order of finish.
South Florida Stakes
WOOP DEE DOO
by Danny Camp
Woop Dee Doo has a history of having dif- ficulty getting away from the gate clean. However, at the South Florida Stakes at Hialeah Park on Feb. 27 he stood great. He may have stepped away from the 5-post a little tardy, but at the wire, he was 1-length in front to stop the clock at :21.726.
Cristian Esqueda, who is the regular pilot, seemed to know he was riding the winner. He sat chilly and let Woop Dee Doo do his thing. Woop Dee Doo earned a speed index of 92 for the 440-yard race as well as
the $15,000 winners share of the $25,000 purse that increased his total earnings to $106,539.
His team includes owner Ricardo Martinez and trainer Sergio Concepcion.
Woop Dee Doo was bred in California by John Andreini and Vince Genco out of winner Jess Racy Eyes. She has produced 100% money earners/ROM in four starters that have tallied 11 wins with three of them being stakes wins. Fetching Beauty, winner of the 2013 Grade 2 Oklahoma Derby, is her top money-earner.
Rolando Pina was aboard Fast N Famous Eagle (One Famous Eagle-One Fast Kisser). He used left handed encouragement well and often, and that effort earned a second place of finish. The connec- tions include owner/trainer Joe M. Davis.
The photo showed Moe Lassus (Favorite Cartel- This Candys Fast) was in third place. His team includes owner J J Racing and trainer Judd Kearl. Noe Villatoro was handling the reins.
The Charmed Ruler (Favorite Cartel-Features Lucky Charm), Fantastic Baby (Fantastic Corona Jr-Baby Runaway), Orphans Pride (Orphan Perry- Proudmarykeeponburnn), Majestic Oak Tree (Oak Tree Special-Majestic Sky) completed the order of finish. Hearts Ona Hero, J Boy A & Jesstempting were scratched.
Miami-Dade County Stakes
JESSIES FIRST DOWN
by John Moorehouse
Jessies First Down was the favorite at post time and lived up to those lofty expectations, win- ning the $32,500 Miami-Dade County Stakes by 3/4-lengths at Hialeah Park on Feb. 28.
Trained by Judd Kearl, Jessies First Down made a respectable break from the No. 4 gate, ran a close sec- ond at the first call behind stablemate RC Me Leaving You, then overtook his fellow Kearl trainee and pulled away during the stretch. Rodrigo Vallejo did the rid- ing on the 440-yard trip, completed in :21.339 into a 14 mph crosswind to register a 102 speed index. Jessies First Down, who started his year by placing second in the City Of Hialeah Stakes, also won last year’s running of the Hialeah Maturity and now has reached the winner’s circle four times in 19 total starts.
Home-bred by Ted G. Abrams, Jessies First Down improved his career earnings to $187,432 with the addition of this $19,500 payday.
The gelding remains the only stakes winner out of his dam, Jess A Classy Lassy, a 2005 mare whom Abrams also home-bred. Four of Jess A Classy Lassy’s six offspring have made starts, and all four are winners.
RC Me Leaving You (Coronas Leaving You-Sixy Bottom), the runner-up, is owned by Bennie and Teresa Jeter. Noe Villatoro did the riding. Fast Man Vic (Mighty Invictus-Precious Debutante) hit the board in third place for Full Circle Racing. The Roy Moore trainee had Cristian Esqueda aboard.
The remaining order of finish was Rattle N Battle (Apollitical Jess-Tinys Corona Queen), Snowy Man (This Snow Is Royal-A Cartel Fling), No Playing Games (Game Patriot-Miss Flying Jesse), Lucky Me (Mr Jess Perry-Sassy Smith), Dashing Manner (Title Contender-Dot Dot And Dash), Fire Bound (Snowbound TB-Mongoose On Fire) & Walk Hot Coals (Walk Thru Fire-Eagles Edge).
Hialeah Park • $26,500 440 yards • :21.596 • si 95
First Down Dash
Dicey Secret Apollo TB
No Secrets Here
HABITS SECRET, ’10-h. Habitual Dreamer
First Femme
Hialeah Park • $25,000 440 yards • :21.726 • si 92
Good Reason Sa WHOOP DEE DOO ’13-g.
Favorite Trick TB
Queen Of Appeals
Mr Jess Perry
Jess Racy Eyes
Miss Racy Eyes
Hialeah Park • $32,500 440 yards • :21.339 • si 102
FDD Dynasty
First Down Dash
Dinastia Toll BRZ
JESSIES FIRST DOWN, ‘11-g.
Mr Jess Perry
Jess A Classy Lassy
Mighty Classy Lassy
144 SPEEDHORSE, March 2016
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