Page 161 - April 2017
P. 161
SLM Big Daddy Stakes
APOLLITICAL MAN
by Tracy Gantz
Alocal Oklahoma horse, Apollitical Man, defeated a favorite from California in the
SLM Big Daddy Stakes on March 18. It was fitting because the Remington Park race is named for a local hero, two-time World Champion SLM Big Daddy.
He Is The Risingstar was the California inter- loper, favored in the 550-yard race. But Apollitical Man, with James Flores riding, rocketed to the lead from the start. He Is The Risingstar tried to catch him to no avail and Apollitical Man won by a neck in :26.999 to earn a 99 speed index and a wire-to- wire victory.
Gerry McLean trains Apollitical Man for his wife, owner Terry McLean. Terry bought the gelding for $6,500 from breeders James and Marilyn Helzer at the 2016 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.
The Helzers bred Apollitical Man in Oklahoma from winner Tinys Corona Queen, who has pro- duced nine winners in 11 starters, including graded stakes-placed winner/top earner Rattle N Battle. The second dam is Champion Tiny First Effort.
Cesar DeAlba piloted He Is The Risingstar (Mr Jess Perry-Meddlin Mischief) to second for trainer Paul Jones and owner Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP. The 5-year-old gelding was coming off back-to- back stakes victories at Los Alamitos. Specials Jess (Spit Curl Jess-Special Anywhere) finished third with Edwuin Lujan aboard. Erika Huitron trains the 5-year-old gelding for owner Cleo Valdez. Specials Jess finished second in the 2016 SLM Big Daddy.
Completing the field were Eyesa Shoofly Dandy (Gold Medal Jess-Miss Sound Viking), Rockin Disco (Rock Solid Jess-Check This Disco), Silver Citizen (Silver City TB-Red Alarm), Mixed Fantasy (Okey Dokey Fantasy-Mixin Sixin), CJS Rocksolid (Rock Solid Jess-Sultry Miss), First Sweet Midnite (Sweet First Down-Midnite Soiree), and CR Tuckernuck (Jet Black Patriot-Fast Prize Corona).
Oklahoma Juvenile
DYNAMIX
by Michael Cusortelli
Dynamix, campaigned by Rodriguez Racing of Borger, Texas, broke her maiden in the Oklahoma Juvenile Stakes at Remington Park on March 25.
Ridden by Edgar Martinez for trainer Esdgar Moreno, Dynamix covered 300 yards in :15.522, and her winning margin was a nose from Mas Pronto Que Alex. The $20,000 winner’s share of the $50,000 purse bumped the filly’s bankroll to $21,910 from two outs. Edward Rodriguez purchased the filly for $8,000 at last year’s Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.
Dynamix was bred in Oklahoma by Bobby D. Cox out of multiple winner Corona Edge. The mare has produced 100% money earners from six starters, including top earner Careless Lightning who won two graded stakes in 2015, including the AQHA Juvenile Challenge Championship-G2 at Lone Star Park. The filly’s second dam, multiple graded stakes winner Such An Easy Effort, produced two Grade 1 winners, including 2-time Champion Deelish.
Dynamix made her debut with a second-place finish in the 14th of 17 Oklahoma Futurity-G3 trials at Remington Park on March 11.
Mas Pronto Que Alex (Inseperable-Cindys First CD) finished second for owners Abelardo H. Flores Jr. and Carlos Lozano. Jose Vega rode the gelding for trainer Eddie D. Willis. Jose Ernesto Guzman’s Fast Prize Rumor (Hez Our Secret-Coronas Fast Prize) ran third, a neck behind Dynamix. An $11,500 buy at last year’s Heritage Place Yearling Sale, the gelding was ridden by James Flores for trainer Gerry McLean.
Despain GL (Desirio-Pain And Pleasure), Commander N Chief B (Captain Courage- Strongbow Miss), Lethal Folly (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Lethal Delight), Mighty B Grateful (Mighty B Valiant-Curl Girl), Cat Mai Flash (Tres Seis-Lulus Stoli), Corona Charm (Corona Cartel-Catalina Fantasy), and Miss Tamale (Mighty B Valiant-Real Hot Tamale) completed the order of finish.
Mesilla Valley Speed H.-RG2
SEIS MENUDOS
by Erin Gallegos
Seis Menudos landed his first stakes win on March 4, crossing the finish line of the 350 yard Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap-RG2 in :17.212 for a 98 speed index.
Owned by Eloy Humberto Pena, trained by Adam Tapia, and ridden by Raul Herrera, Seis Menudos broke sixth from the 8-hole, driving his way into second place by the first call and pressing into the lead to finish a head over Jess Cruzin On By.
Seis Menudos had money earnings of $109,811 coming into the race. With no previous stakes wins, he was considered one of the long shots next to a pack of all graded stakes winners or placers. The $51,000 upset takes his earnings to $160,811. In his race career, Seis Menudos has now won nine races and placed second twice from 19 starts.
The six-year-old gelding was bred by McCarty/ Wood/SW Paving & Grading Inc. out of Grade 1 winner Uno Menudo, who has now produced three Graded stakes winners from 8 starters. Seis Menudos joins Grade 2 winner Quatro Menudos ($300,386) and the mare’s top earner Grade 1/Grade 3 winner Cinco Menudos ($351,297).
Jess Cruzin On By (Jesse James Jr-Woodbridge Duchess) finished second under jockey Sergio Becerra Jr. for owner/breeder Yaneth Cabrera and trainer Alfredo Gomez. Princess Jesse (Jesse James Jr-Total Miracle), the second favorite pick, crossed the line third under jockey Alfredo Sigala for owner/ breeder/trainer Vance Mikkelson.
Play Misty Foreme (Jesse James Jr-Arbor Mist), Justified By Chicks (Chicks A Blazin-Jesstifiable Debt), race favorite Seeyalateralligator (Winners Version-Stars In My Eye), Frank N Jesse (Jesse James Jr-Famous Poet), Booyah Bay (Brookstone Bay-Jess Brenda), Teana Fay (Winners Version-Thirty Fourth Street) & Major Moonflash (First Moonflash-Prima Ld) followed. A Super Sonic Boom & Jess Rueben James scratched.
Remington Park $50,360 550 yards :26.999 si 99
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Time
Corona Cartel
Apollitical Jess
APOLLITICAL MAN, ’12-g.
Tinys Corona Queen
Tiny First Effort
Remington Park $50,000 300 yards :15.522 si 86
Dominyun DYNAMIX, ’15-f.
Corona Edge
Mr Jess Perry Runaway Dee Dee Corona Cartel
Such An Easy Effort
Sunland Park $85,000 350 yards :17.212 si 98
Corona Cartel
Southern Policy Dash Ta Fame Shes A Hauler
Southern Corona
SEIS MENUDOS, ‘11-g. Uno Menudo
SPEEDHORSE, April 2017 159
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