Page 32 - New Mexico Fall 2020

Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
Hustle Up
(Abstraction-Speedin Excess, In Excess) Breeders: Todd Fincher & Brad King Owners: Dale F. Taylor Racing LLC, Bobby McQueen, Suzanne Kirby
14-10(4)-0-0 $536,143
Hustle Up brings us back to the 2019 Champion TB Broodmare, Speedin Excess,
his dam. A champion producing a champion. Consistent quality. One of the critical aspects of any respected family line.
As a wet-behind-the-ears freshman, Hustle Up conquered three stakes from six starts in 2018 – the Copper Top Futurity, the Steve Prather and the Mountain Top New Mexico- Bred. The events were held at three different tracks – Sunland, Zia, and Ruidoso – strongly suggesting this just may be one of those tough geldings who takes his track with him.
Hustle Up returned to work in 2019, mak- ing six starts and winning four with one stake – the Mine That Bird Derby. His race record has an interesting look to it, with a six and a four under the column labeled “1st” for 2018, followed by six perfect goose eggs under second and third for the next two seasons.
Apparently, this is another one who decided he would win or nothing. So far, it’s worked to the tune of $536,143.
McWend is a New Mexico-bred from McKenna Thoroughbreds, who has raced for Judge Lanier Racing LLC. The dark brown filly is a proud homebred who started work- ing as a two-year-old. She won one start from four in 2018 for nearly $16,000. It wasn’t a lot, but everyone was still getting a feel for what was happening.
Coming back at three was a completely differ- ent ballgame for McWend. She knew all the basics and could focus on just running, finding the finish line and getting there first. She made 11 attempts in 2019, winning three followed by two seconds and one third. Those numbers were all reflected in her total money for the year, which came to $180,655.
McWend’s track conversation has run into 2020 but not very far. She’s had only one start and pulled up off the board.
Four-Year-Old/Up Colt/Gelding
Blazing Navarone
(Song Of Navarone-Carmen’s Delight, Carmen’s Glory) Breeder: Lucky Six Inc. • Owner: Barbara Coleman 25-12(1)-5(1)-3(1) $621,316
Blazing Navarone. His name sounds tough, worn by someone who wouldn’t hesitate to draw blood. He’d be the one to throw open the saloon doors and walk out to the dusty street with both guns flashing fire. And, pretty much, that’s him.
The bay gelding first saw the light of day on March 6, 2015. He lost little time getting up and diving into that thing everyone around him referred to as “life.”
Life, for Blazing Navarone, was fast and just a bit furious. He made seven starts in 2017, with a 3-2-1 record, a stakes second in the Mountain Top Futurity and a third in the NM Classic Cup Juvenile Championship, ending the season with $117,226. The pace picked up even more in 2018, with another seven starts and a 3-0-2 record. There was a stakes win in the New Mexico Classic Cup Derby and he wrapped up his sophomore season with $215,250.
2019 rolled ‘round and Blazing Navarone had both guns loaded. There were nine starting gates that he blasted open with a 5-3-0 record and $228,840.
He doesn’t appear to be backing off in 2020. He’s just cleaned his sidearms and reloaded.
Four-Year-Old/Up Filly/Mare
Hennessy Express
(Roll Hennessy Roll-Accommodate, Pleasantly Perfect) Breeder: Dale F. Taylor
Owner: Dale F. Taylor Racing LLC
23-7-3-6(1) $388,617
This mare is a scrapper. She’s walked onto all five New Mexico tracks at least once, and she never fails to punch and jab her way to the line. No, she doesn’t win every time but, with an individual such as this one, that’s not even the most important point. What sets her apart is that she does it with enough enthusiasm to bank $388,617 for her connections.
The mare has a stakes third and also had one outing on turf. There are a number of spotlight names in her pedigree but, interest- ingly, there are no repeat crosses through the fifth generation.
Congratulations to all the 2019 New Mexico-Bred Champions. And remember, this is permanent. Irrevocable. Invincible against floods, fires, pandemics, social unrest and heated elections. Whatever happens for the remainder of your lives and beyond,
you are Champions!
Three-Year-Old Filly
McWend
(McKenna’s Justice-Lady Ruthie, Mr. Greeley) Breeder: McKenna Thoroughbreds, LLC Owner: Judge Lanier Racing LLC
16-4-2-1(1) $197,190
30 New Mexico Horse Breeder