Page 166 - June 2016

AQHA Mexico Claiming Challenge
ISLAND SLIPPER
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Eduardo Silveyra
With 12 participants, this classic of the AQHA Challenge circuit was held at
a distance of 350 yards and was reserved for individuals that have seen action in claiming races of $5,000 or less from March 31 2015 to the same date in 2016. The purse to be distrib- uted among the finishers was 334,809 pesos (approximately US $19,451).
There was a wide range of individuals meeting the conditions and, thus, complicat- ing the task of choosing a favorite. At the end, the preference went to the entry that formed Island Slipper and Royal Bay Bomber, regis- tered by Rancho Yukon, and was followed by Capote First and Im Aquaman.
With a timely and clean exit, the sorrel Island Slipper surprised the group and from the first yards took over the group, occupying the center of the track well supported by Jose Angel Ambrosio Medina. In reality, she had no rival and ran out the distance in :17.30 seconds for a SI 95. To the delight of the family of Peña Montoya, with this recent incursion into the Hipodromo de las Americas, she crossed the finish line with 2 3/4-lengths over Estamos Cia.
In this regard, the young horseman José Luis Peña said, “This victory is the achieve- ment of several goals. First, because it is our
first victory in a stakes with
a mare showing exemplary
potential to face higher
levels, despite not being as
physically attractive. Second,
she opens the door to partici-
pate in the “Day of the fastest
races in America” represent-
ing her category to be held at
the Los Alamitos Racetrack
in California, which we will
evaluate carefully. And third,
as a team, she is the result of
investing day by day mind and effort - and as a family, a reaffirmation of meeting common ground.”
Island Slipper, a five-year-old mare bred
in the United States by Kapp Investment Company LLC, is a daughter of Dashin Jess Perry out of Streakin Dot Dash (by Streakin Dash). With this victory, she earned dividends of 154,012 pesos ($8,948 US, approximately).
Her first races were at various racetracks in her native country, where she won her maiden at Sandy Downs in Idaho Falls, Idaho. In July 2014, she was acquired by the Peña Montoya Family who began racing her in match races at Santin Track in Toluca, State of Mexico, winning six races before debuting at the
Hipodromo de las Americas. At this track, she has three wins in four appearances.
She is trained by Rene Alan Rodriguez and was sad- dled for this event by Liderme Rene Gomez Diaz. “We will give her a short break during which her health will be assessed, but it is a fact that while she remains healthy, the filly will continue to compete. She is expecting several races
at the Hipodromo de las Americas and prob- ably two other match races,” concluded the enthusiastic José Luis Peña.
Second place went to Estamos Cia (Aguerrido Cash - Lady Anna Girl) with jockey Jose Manuel Cisneros in charge. He is owned by Rivera’s Farm and trained by Erik Zenteno García. This runner was recently appointed as the Mexican Adult Champion for the 2015 season.
In third came Capote First (First Prize I Am - Keshas Cash Chick) under the direction of Moises González García for the Cuadra Valle de Guadiana and trainer Alberto Fernandez Pasten. Capote First is the Best Claiming Individual of the 2015 season at the
Hipodromo de las Americas $19,451 • 350 yards :17.30 • si 95
Mr Jess Perry
Dashing Jess Perry
First Easy Dash
ISLAND SLIPPER, ‘11-m.
Streakin Dash
Streakin Dot Dash
Happy Heather
164 SPEEDHORSE, June 2016
Without pressure from any of his rivals or from his jockey, Island Slipper wins the AQHA Mexico Claiming Challenge
RACING NEWS
Miguel A. Espinoza / Hipódromo de Las Américas