Page 60 - NMHBASummer2019

SUNLAND PARK
NM Spring Futurity (RG2)
by Michael Cusortelli
Big Daddy Cartel
Corona Cartel
Miss Racy Eyes
Jenna James
Jesse James Jr
Wild Vines
HONKY TONK DADDY
Sent to post at odds of 10-1 in a full field of 10 state-bred 2-year-old Quarter Horses, Honky Tonk Daddy broke sharply from her rail post and led at every call to win the May 5, $393,483 New Mexican Spring Futurity (RG2) at Sunland Park.
Honky Tonk Daddy went 300 yards in :15.127 and posted a 95 speed index while aided by a reported 12-mph tail wind, and her margin of victory was a neck from 7-2 favorite and fastest qualifier Colby James. Ricky Ramirez rode the sorrel Big Daddy Cartel filly for owner U S Alliance Logistic and trainer Jose Luis Muela.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start,” said Ramirez, who also rode Honky Tonk Daddy in the filly’s half-length victory in the second of 11 Spring Futurity trials on April 13. “She broke in front by about three-quar- ters of a length, and I just took advantage of it and stayed after her and kept her busy.
“She finished strong,” the rider added. “(Colby James) was gaining us every jump, but we got there in time and got the win.”
Honky Tonk Daddy was one of seven Spring Futurity finalists bred by Mac and Janis Murray’s MJ Farms at Veguita, New Mexico, and she was a $14,000 yearling purchase at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale
at Ruidoso Downs. The filly’s sire, Big Daddy Cartel, is a 10-year-old son of the Holland Ease stallion Corona Cartel and a half-brother to stakes winner Racy La Jolla.
Big Daddy Cartel has sired the earners
of more than $5.2 million from four crops, including multiple graded stakes winners Bigg Daddy, Daddys Blushing, and Mamacita Cartel. The stallion is owned by and stands for a $5,000 fee at MJ Farms.
Honky Tonk Daddy is out of Jenna James, a 9-year-old daughter of the Mr Jess Perry stallion Jesse James Jr and a half-sister to Wild Six, the winner of the Grade 1 West Texas and Rainbow futurities in 2007. Honky Tonk Daddy’s second dam, Wild Vines, was a finalist in the ’03 Albuquerque Spring Derby.
Honky Tonk Daddy traces back to her third dam, Famous Chapelle, a homebred Dash Ta Fame mare who won the 1997 Utah Classic Futurity (RG1) and produced ’04 New Mexico Breeders’ Derby (RG3) winner Arbor Mist, a half-sister to Wild Vines.
The $184,937 winner’s share of the Spring Futurity purse -- the second high- est in the stakes’ 25-year history -- pushed Honky Tonk Daddy’s bankroll to $190,277 from two races. The eighth-fastest qualifier,
Honky Tonk Daddy returned a $22-win mutuel and teamed with Colby James for a $138 ($2) exacta.
Montevina ran third, a half of a length behind Honky Tonk Daddy. Six Pack Fame, Daddys Sugar Momma, Burn One Down For Me, Princess Katelyn, Woman In Redd, Lewandosky and Ashleigh completed the order of finish.
Colby James is a sorrel son of Jesse James Jr campaigned by Rex Wells, who purchased the colt for $15,000 at last year’s New Mexico- Bred Sale. Colby James has earned $76,167 from two starts.
Montevina was a $20,000 buy at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale. Owned by U S Alliance Logistic, the gray daughter of Big Daddy Cartel has banked $48,623 from two outs.
58 New Mexico Horse Breeder
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