Page 151 - April 2017

West Texas Derby-G3
WILD MARES MILK
by Danny Camp
Three year olds were center stage at Sunland Park for the running of the West Texas Derby-G3 on April 1, a400-yard race for the 10 fastest qualifiers who then had a shot at the $162,609 total purse. The filly won her trial and came into the finals with the second fast- est qualifying time from the March 10 trials.
There must be some magic in Wild Mares Milk. The filly broke second from the 2-gate under rider Esgar Ramirez in the finals. She was in third at the first call, but the long legged filly drove and prevailed, crossing the wire a neck in front and stopping the clock at :19.400 for a career high speed index of 93. Wild Mares Milk captured the $76,427 win- ner’s share of the purse, boosting her cumula- tive earnings to $110,238. She is bred/owned by J&SM, Inc. and trained by Fred Danley.
Wild Mares Milk was bred in Texas out of winner Kellies Feature, who has produced 100% winners/ROM from 2 starters. Wild Mares Milk is her first stakes winner and top earner.
When asked about the filly, trainer Fred Danley laughed and said, “Wild Mares Milk
is a great horse. She qualified for the Ruidoso Futurity last summer. We gave her a lot of time
off and now, she is probably the soundest horse I have. In her trial, she didn’t break the best, she was on the outside and couldn’t see the competi- tion, but she came running on the end to earn the second fastest time. In the finals, three horses flipped before the start. There was a rattling mess and she stood there with her nose in the v.
“She is a big, long legged,
and pleasant filly,” he continued. “She is good to gallop and fun to be around at the barn.” “Owner Sue May is 86 years old and was ecstatic after the race. She was so excited and
I was happy for her. I’ve trained for her for
25 years and she is a great person to work for. Her son Doug is the one who takes care of the horse operation in Fort Stockton, Texas. He also takes care of his mother. They are super people. They are going to spend the summer in Ruidoso so they can be near the filly.”
Talking about the future Fred added, “There are three derbies in Ruidoso this sum- mer and we plan on being there. I believe this
filly will like the distance. The farther she goes the, bet- ter she gets.”
Eaglelistic (Flyingwitheagles-American Gator) broke on top, but finished second for owner Donnie E. Johnson and trainer Cody Reynolds. Mauro Salcedo had the riding assignment. The gelding won his March 10 trial heat to the finals to qualify fifth.
Always Ifs (Corona Cartel-Mon Ti Rose) finished third under Cody Jensen. His con- nections include owners R. D. Hubbard, Johnny D. Cope, Rafter W Stables and Henry Southway. Justin Joiner trains the colt, who won his March 10 trial heat to qualify fourth.
Mojo Perry (Mr Jess Perry-Jump Down First), Dash Ta Desirio (Desirio-Wire Ta Wire), Famouseagletime (One Famous Eagle- Abstinence), Groupie James (Ivory James- Groupie), Attack The Wind (Walk Thru Fire-Attack The Cartel) & Bella Faccia (One Famous Eagle-Special Queen SA) completed the field. Terrant was scratched.
Sunland Park $162,609 • 400 yards :19.400 • si 93
Strawfly Special
Desirio
Lady Tenaya
WILD MARES MILK, ‘14-f.
Feature Mr Jess
Kellies Feature
Happigan
Wild Mares Milk (#2) and Esgar Ramirez win the $162,609 West Texas Derby-G3
SPEEDHORSE, April 2017 149
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Coady Photography