Page 173 - July 2016

Firecracker Futurity-G2
PLATINUM FDD
by John Moorehouse
With his bloodlines, it seemed like just a matter of time before Platinum FDD distinguished himself in stakes company. That happened as the two-year-old gelding rallied to win the $271,950 Firecracker Futurity-G2 at Delta Downs on July 2.
Owned by Jesus Huitron, Platinum FDD reached the winner’s circle for the fourth time in five career starts, and remained undefeated in three outs at Delta Downs. His first-ever stakes victory in the Firecracker Futurity produced a $135,975 payday that exponentially increased his bankroll to a new total of $149,525. That more than pays for the investment Huitron made to acquire the gelding, buying him for $50,000 at the 2015 Heritage Place September Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City.
Drawing the outside starting gate in the 10-horse field, Platinum FDD got out of the gates a bit slow and was running fourth at the midpoint of the 400-yard event. Then he made his move, with jockey Damian Martinez urg- ing him into the lead by the time he reached the stretch. Platinum FDD maintained his pace, gaining distance and beating runner-up Carmel Diamond to the line by three-quarters.
After the race, Martinez told stallion- esearch.com that Platinum FDD, “Got a little spooked,” at the start, but settled nicely.
“Once he got straightened up a little bit, he just took off on me,” the jockey said.
Adrian Huitron trains Platinum FDD, who com- pleted his stakes-winning
trip in :17.584, registering
an 89 speed index. That topped what the gelding did in the trials, a :17.710 run
that stood as the second-best qualifying time and helped cement him as the pre-race favorite at the betting window.
“Ever since the get-go at the beginning
of the year in Sam Houston, he won his trial pretty easy. ... We knew he was a runner,” Adrian Huitron told stallionesearch.com. “We pointed him to the Firecracker trials and in the trials, he actually beat another previous futu- rity winner, so we knew he had a big chance in the finals.”
Jesus Huitron and Vessels Stallion Farm, LLC bred Platinum FDD out of Eyesa Jumpn, a decorated competitor herself. The 2005 mare set a New Track Record for 300-yards at Louisiana Downs and posted four stakes wins, 3 of them in graded events, as part of a career that produced nine victories and more than
$460,000 in prize money. As a broodmare, Eyesa Jumpn has foaled 19 offspring, 17
of whom have made starts to date. Platinum FDD becomes the first foal to join his dam as a stakes winner.
Carmel Diamond (Dictorial-Sixes Diamond), an underdog at almost 17-1 odds, took second by a nose over fellow longshot Jen And Vodka. Jaime Flores owns
Carmel Diamond, who is trained by Homar Garza and had Raul Ramirez, Jr. in the irons. Jen And Vodka (One Sweet Jess-Full Moon Dasher) is owned by Jennifer Beck and trained by Michael Taylor. J.R. Ramirez drew the rid- ing assignment.
Rounding out the order of finish, Bluesville (Valiant Hero-Clays Knockout) was fourth, followed by Jess Cruzin The Mall (Spit Curl Jess-Rock The Mall), Leaveafamousmemory (One Famous Eagle-CW Leaves No Doubt), Sizzlin Stewart (Sizzlin Cartel-Stone Ginger), Marfilous (Ivory James-Verrsace), Roostersito (Pappasito-Mabeleen) and Dash For A Lil Cash (Tempting Dash-Kerrys Lil Jess). Marfilous was the fastest qualifier.
Delta Downs $271,950 • 350 yards :17.584 • si 89
Dash For Cash
First Down Dash
First Prize Rose
PLATINUM FDD, ‘14-g.
Eyesa Special
Eyesa Jumpn
Jump Jive An Wail
Platinum FDD & Damian Martinez rally to win the $271,950 Firecracker Futurity-G2 by 3/4-length
SPEEDHORSE, July 2016 171
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography