Page 164 - July 2016

Heritage Place Derby-G2
GYR JAMMER
by Tracy Gantz
The rail post position can be a difficult spot, but for owner Rosa Aguado of Georgetown, Texas, it has been lucky. She and her husband, Pedro, won the 2015 Heritage Place Derby-G2 with Rpainted Wagon when he drew the rail. They repeated in the race this year with Gyr Jammer, who also drew the rail.
“We knew the one hole would be hard— it’s hard for any horse in a big race,” said Daniel Luna, who trains Gyr Jammer for the Aguados. “The owners told me it was going to be the same luck with the one hole. It worked out with the same number.”
They were right. With Raul Ramirez Jr. aboard, Gyr Jammer broke fourth and quickly took the lead in the 400-yard Heritage Place Derby. He edged away to a 1/2-length lead,
and though rivals closed to tighten it up, Gyr Jammer kept his head in front to win in :19.483.
“He broke pretty sharp,” stated rider Ramirez. “He went to the lead pretty quick. The outside horses were coming to him, but he kept on going.”
Gyr Jammer has performed well since the Aguados purchased him at the 2016 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale. The gelding, con- signed to the sale by JEH Stallion Station as agent, brought $32,000. He had broken his maiden and finished second twice in five starts as a two year old in 2015.
“I ran against this horse at Lone Star in the trials for the Dash For Cash Futurity,” said Luna.
Gyr Jammer finished second in that trial and made an impression on Luna.
“I was here at the farm working with the babies, and the owner left with his friend for the sale,” Luna recalled. “He called me and said this might be the one.”
After the purchase, Luna
took over Gyr Jammer’s training and the gelding won his trial for the Sam Houston Derby-G3 and finished third in the final.
“He looked like he was coming on in the end,” said Luna. “He still ran a good race. He won his trial at Remington easy. He’s an easy horse to work with.”
Gyr Jammer won his trial for the Heritage Place Derby by an easy 1 3/4-lengths to be the second-fastest qualifier. In the finals,
he went off as the second choice behind the even-money favorite and fastest qualifier, Datona Doll.
James and Marilyn Helzer bred Gyr Jammer in Oklahoma from unraced Confession Session, a half-sister to graded
stakes winners Dr Proctor and Point Of Deception. The mare has produced 100% money earners and four winners from five starters, including 2013 Tower of
the Americas Stakes winner Watching The Cashflo.
Woop Dee Doo (Good Reason SA-Jess Racy Eyes), ridden by Manuel Gutierrez, finished second. Kelli Martin trains the gelding for owner Ricardo Martinez. Woop Dee
Doo won the South Florida Invitational earlier this year and last year’s Heartland Futurity.
Ricky Ramirez piloted Datona Doll (Jesse James Jr-Maggies Miracle Lx) to third for trainer Trey Wood and owners Mark and Annette McCloy. Datona Doll went into these finals undefeated in three starts.
Completing the field were Flare For
Ivory (Ivory James-Special Phoebe), Satcha Wagoneer (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Seychelle), Bye Byefreighttrain (Freighttrain B-Bye Bye Bygones), Big Profitt (Valiant Hero-Ofishal), Celtic Emblem (Apollitical Jess-Three Green Leaves), Jess Envision (Apollitical Jess-Answer The Dream), and Jr Spyder King (FDD Dynasty-Prissy B Panther).
Remington Park $369,550 • 400 yards :19.483 • si 96
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Jess
Apollitical Time
GYR JAMMER, ‘13-g.
Sixes Royal
Confession Session
Daring Deception
162 SPEEDHORSE, July 2016
Gyr Jammer & Raul Ramirez Jr. win the $369,550 Heritage Place Derby-G1
RACING NEWS
Dustin Orona Photography