Page 177 - July 2016
P. 177
Firecracker Derby
IVAN JAMES
by Danny Camp
The Firecracker Derby was held on July 1 at Delta Downs. There was a total purse of $194,810 to be divided among the qualifiers from the June 10 trials. The first place check was worth $97,405 and ultimately went to Ivan James, who showed the heart of a lion coming from behind with an impressive rally.
Ivan James finished 2nd in his heat for the 4th fastest qualifying
time, but he was up for the
challenge in the finals. When
the starter said go, Ivan James stepped away from
the 10-post mid-field. With the urging of rider Raul Ramirez, Jr. Ivan James just got faster the farther he went to finish a neck in front and stop the clock in :19.352 for a 103 speed index.
He now has total earn- ings of $395,817 and a race record of 4 wins out of 8
Vessels Maturity-G1
HE LOOKS HOT
by Tracy Gantz
When He Looks Hot won the 2014 Los Alamitos $2 Million Futurity-G1, the future looked bright. Instead, the gelding had to withstand two colic surgeries, keeping him away from the races for 16 months.
“What he’s been through—two colic surgeries—he’s an amazing horse,” said trainer Scott Willoughby. “We didn’t even know if he was going to live.”
He Looks Hot not only lived and returned to the races, it took him only three starts to win a Grade 1 race for owner/breeder Dr. Ed Allred. At Los Alamitos, he eked out a narrow victory in the Vessels Maturity on July 3.
Drawing the rail, He Looks Hot faced eight rivals, including favored Dutcher
in the 8-post. With Carlos Huerta aboard, He Looks Hot broke inward slightly and
Delta Downs $194,810 400 yards :19.352 si 103
Corona Cartel
Ivory James
Dashin Follies
IVAN JAMES, ‘13, c.
Dashin Bye
First Dashin Bye
Fast N Smooth
starts. Ivan James also won the 2015 Sam Houston Futurity-G2, was third in the 2015 Firecracker Futurity-G2, and was fifth in the 2016 Sam Houston Derby-G3
Ivan James is bred/owned by Jorge Meraz and trained Elpidio Luna. The colt is out mul- tiple stakes winner First Dashin Bye, who also set a New Track Record for 330-yards at Delta
Downs. She earned nearly $450,000 before producing 100% money/ROM earners from seven starters, four of them being stakes runners. Ivan James is her top earner.
Jorge Meraz was very excited after the win. “He ran a great race in a great time,” the owner said. “He’s a great horse. Ivan James is home bred and raised, and we are so excited about him.” When asked about how Ivan James pulled up after the race, he said, “So far so
good. The next stop for the colt will be the Dash For Cash Derby.”
Fastest qualifer & favorite Tlc Dale (The Louisiana Cartel-Halies Dale) was second under Manuel Gutierrez for owner Rogelio Guajardo Garza & trainer Adrian Huitron.
Shez A Hot Valentine (Walk Thru Fire- Double Down Baby) finished third under John Hamilton for owner Ramiro J. Flores & trainer Homar Garza.
Followed by First Fancy Prize (Pyc Paint Your Wagon-First Prize Fancy), Brave Heart Won (Apollitical Jess-Fols Zookie Cookie), Slick Melody (Apollitical Jess-Slick Treasure), Not Perry Pretty (Dash Ta Fame-Tf Ms Special Perry), King Brett (Hadtobenuts-Queen Of The Castle), Ricky Rockstar (Heza Fast Dash- Streakin Angelica) & Mr Joe Perry (Mr Jess Perry-Ja Desert Evening).
then drifted out a tad. But, he never lost his focus and grabbed a neck victory over Dutcher at the wire in :19.724 for the 400 yards.
“He’s just getting bigger and stronger every day,” said Willoughby. “He’s got a heart as big as a truck.”
Willoughby explained that after He Looks Hot had his first colic surgery, he developed adhesions, requiring a second surgery.
“The people at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital, Dr. Korin Potenza and their crew down there, did a really good job tak- ing care of him, and he’s come back great,” said Willoughby.
California-bred He Looks Hot is out of Allred’s stakes- winning mare Look Her Over. She has produced 10 winners in 15 starters, includ- ing stakes winners Once Over and Take A Look and two stakes-placed runners.
Dutcher (Apollitical Jess-Louisiana Eye Opener) ran second for jockey Eduardo Nicasio and trainer Juan Aleman. Jumonville Farms bred the 4-year-old gelding and owns him with Brian Ranch. Dutcher finished sec- ond in last year’s Texas Classic Derby-G1.
Allred also bred third-placed Forget It (Foose-Forgive Him), owned by Hector Villalobos, trained by Jose Moreno, and ridden by Cruz Mendez. The 4-year-old gelding won three stakes in 2015.
Completing the field were He Is The Risingstar (Mr Jess Perry-Meddlin Mischief), Dr Jess (Mr Jess Perry-Eye For Corona), Vivid (Walk Thru Fire-Realistically), Fiery Kimbo (Walk Thru Fire-Kimbo With Class), Walk The Catwalk (Walk Thru Fire-Alley Cat Cartel), and Energy Cartel (Corona Cartel- Terrific Energy).
Los Alamitos $148,960 400 yards :19.724 si 92
First Down Dash
Walk Thru Fire
Sweet Beduino
HE LOOKS HOT, ‘12-g.
Check Him Out
Look Her Over
Oh La Proud
SPEEDHORSE, July 2016 175
RACING NEWS
Los Alamitos Coady Photography
