Page 172 - August 2016

Speedhorse Derby
CARD GAMES
by John Moorehouse
After his trainee, Card Games, went through an ownership change prior to
the trials for the Speedhorse Derby, it made Matthew McCart a little nervous as to whether or not he would remain the trainer of the three-year-old sorrel gelding.
Any pressure to perform should be diminished now. however, as McCart saddled Card Games for a smart run to victory in the $68,700 event finals held at Fair Meadows on July 30.
There was no catching Card Games in the Speedhorse Derby. He broke well in the middle of the pack from post position 4, but quickly gained the lead and was running in front by a head at the first call.
That slim advantage held as he entered the stretch, and Card Games held off his rivals to hit the wire first by a neck.
Jesus Salazar was up for the 350-yard stakes-winning trip, which was completed in :17.426 for a 98 speed index.
Owner Hector Garcia banked a $26,106 payday that boosted the total earnings of Card Games to $72,621.
McCart was actually a bit disappointed his trainee did not fare better in qualifying to the Speedhorse Derby. Card Games finished second in his trial heat, a nose shy
of fastest qualifier Bloomer
Ride. Card Games completed
his trip in :17.734, a time
that gave him the second fastest qualifier spot.
“He’s not a very big horse. But, out on the track, he can really run,” McCart stated of the new blacktype winner.
After Hector Garcia purchased Card Games prior to the Speedhorse Derby trials, McCart acknowledged some nerves about the future of the professional relationship.
“A new owner pays a good amount for
a horse, they expect the horse to perform,” McCart said. “We were very thankful the new owner let me keep the horse and run him for the finals.”
McCart also trained the winner in the Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity-G1 on the same card.
“It was definitely the highlight so far for us [this year]. Winning a derby and a futurity in one night, it was real special and something we won’t forget,” McCart said.
McCart made sure to credit the efforts of his veteri- narian, Dr. Jay Ross, DVM.
“He’s really helped turn the page on this horse to get him back physically where he needed to be,” the trainer said of Ross.
Card Games had his first breakthrough
in stakes company after finishing second
in his trial heat for last year’s All American Futurity-G1. He just missed a qualifying spot to the All American Futurity finals, but he was a finalist in the All American Juvenile.
Card Games also won his trial heat to this year’s Oklahoma Derby, qualified with the ninth fastest time, and was a finalist in the Grade 3 finals on March 26.
With his first stakes victory in the Speedhorse Derby, Card Games now has a race record of four wins and three seconds, from 10 starts.
Fair Meadows $68,700 • 350 yards :17.426 • si 98
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Jess
Apollitical Time
CARD GAMES, ‘13-g.
Corona Cartel
Stellar Shay
Special Heart
170 SPEEDHORSE, August 2016
Card Games & Jesus Salazar win the $68,700 Speedhorse Derby by a neck
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography