Page 172 - July 2016

Mountain Top Futurity-RG3
RUNNING DRAGON
by John Moorehouse
Running Dragon has made a trip to the winner’s circle after each of her outs. That’s a habit that her connections would
love to see continue. The two-year-old filly remained undefeated in four outs and logged her second victory in stakes company, taking the $364,256 Mountain Top Futurity-RG3 at Ruidoso Downs on June 18.
By By JJ Limited Partnership owns and bred Running Dragon, who also won the New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2 held in April at Sunland. She also topped qualifying for each of those futurities.
According to Juan Gonzalez, Jr., Running Dragon’s 1 1/2-length win and :15.468 time in her maiden out made a statement.
“Right then and there, we knew she had a lot of potential,” said Gonzalez, whose father, Juan Sr., trains Running Dragon. “During her workouts she was doing really well, so we had some confidence in her initially.”
The Mountain Top Futurity final pre- sented some new challenges for this promising young filly. Most notably, she started from the inside gate for the first time.
“Sometimes the horses see the flags or see the rail,” Gonzalez, Jr., said. “We were a little bit concerned, but she’s a very balanced filly. She did great.”
Running Dragon opened up a 1/2-length lead by the time she reached the first call and stayed in front at every remaining juncture of the 350 yards. She led by a head going into the stretch, outdueling Percyjones late to reach the wire first by a neck.
Jose Ortiz was aboard Running Dragon, who finished her trip in :17.448, posting a 93 speed index—a new personal best. That even surpasses her :17.506 perfor- mance in the Mountain Top trials, which placed her atop the qualifying ladder.
This second stakes win
generated a $152,988 payday
for Running Dragon that
more than doubled her
lifetime earnings to $300,768. Not too shabby at all for a horse who is just beginning her competitive career.
“Being four for four? We’re very pleased with her,” Gonzalez said. “She’s a fighter. She’s feisty. When we were breaking her, she gave
us some trouble. She’s matured a lot, but still she has some of that attitude left in her. She’s pretty hyped up all the time.”
Already winning the two most lucrative futurities in the state of New Mexico thus far this year, Running Dragon and her connec- tions have their sights on even bigger goals. Up next, she will attempt to qualify for the Zia Futurity, which runs July 31 and has an estimated $400,000 purse.
“She pulled up great after the race and we’re ready for the next one,” Gonzalez said.
Running Dragon is the second foal out of her dam, 100% money earning producer Banking Lane, a lightly raced 2006 mare owned by Nahum Prieto.
By By JJ Limited Partnership bred Banking Lane as well. Running Dragon’s second dam is a half- sister to stakes placed winner Banco Rapido Too, as well as to the dam of Graded stakes winner You N How Many More.
Two Blane Wood trainees rounded out the top three. Percyjones (Jesse James Jr-Maggies Miracle LX) fin-
ished second by a neck. The gelding is owned by Terry and Irene Stennet and had Salvador Martinez in the irons. With one win and one second, Percyjones has lit the board in both of his career starts.
Percyjones’ stablemate, Jesse Jrs Tambien (Jesse James Jr-Diez Tambien), placed third for Mark and Annette McCloy, with Cody Jensen in the irons. Jesse Jrs Tambien has also lit the board on both of his career starts.
Another of Wood’s four trainees in the futurity field, Me Like Daddy (Big Daddy Cartel-Mostly Me), finished fourth and was followed by Cowgirlsalady (Zulu Dragon- Redneck Cowgirl), Copy My Daddy (Big Daddy Cartel-Fast Copy Miss), Big Spurs (Big Daddy Cartel-Lady Chimes), Famous Big Daddy (Big Daddy Cartel-Famous Sandy), Major Alligator (Sign To Be A Runaway-Dyna Mo Rime) and PJ Runaway Bunny (Sign To Be A Runaway-On A Bunny) to complete the order of finish.
Ruidoso Downs $364,256 • 350 yards :17.448 • si 93
First Down Dash
Zulu Dragon
Hidden Dragon
RUNNING DRAGON, ‘14-f.
Devon Lane TB
Banking Lane
Banking Disco
170 SPEEDHORSE, July 2016
Running Dragon (#1) and Jose Ortiz duel to win the $364,256 Mountain Top Futurity-RG3
RACING NEWS
Ruidoso Downs