Page 126 - May 2016
P. 126
New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2
RUNNING DRAGON
by Danny Camp
You know that spring has sprung when it’s futurity time. The 300-yard New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2 was worth a total of $297,925 and was held at Sunland Park on April 24.
Running Dragon stepped up in a big way this spring. The two-year-old gray filly won her April 8 trial heat by 1/2-length for the fastest qualifying time to the finals. Then, she crushed the field in the finals.
The filly started from the 8-post under rider Jose Ortiz, who was also aboard in the trials. It didn’t take much, but Ortiz helped Running Dragon keep to a straight course until they crossed the wire. The pair stopped the clock in :15.104, which was good for a speed index of 90.
Running Dragon became a stakes win- ner in just her second out. The first place check of $140,025 boosted her total bankroll $145,380. The gray filly is now 2 for 2, a race record that brings thoughts of a great future.
Running Dragon is owned by her breeder By By J J Limited Partnership and is trained by Juan Gonzalez.
“This a great filly, she does everything right, but that wasn’t always the case,” stated
Gonzalez. “She was very hard to break. She was nervous and a problem in the gates.
“With a lot of hard work, everything seemed to come together,” the trainer contin- ued. “She started to mature and do things right.
“She is now great in the
gates and is a nice ride, even
in the morning,” Gonzalez
added. “The filly is sound,
so we are looking forward to Ruidoso, run- ning her in the Mountain Top Futurity and the Zia.”
When questioned about the All American Futurity, Juan chuckled, “Well, maybe if she pays her way. Everybody wants that trophy. Our rider, Jose Ortiz, is a young guy and he’s hungry. Even though he’s only 19, he is a good rider.”
Running Dragon was bred in New Mexico out of Banking Lane. The mare has produced 100% money earners/ROM from her first two starters. Running Dragon is her top earner and only stakes winner.
Second fastest quali-
fier Big Spurs (Big Daddy Cartel-Lady Chimes)
needed neither spurs nor whip. Rider Jaime Leos
sat chilly to get the most
run out of his mount, and they collected second place money for owner Astorga Racing LLC and conditioner Miguel Castillo.
The final qualifier, Dramatic Moon (First
Moonflash-Too Much Drama) ran a steady and even race to get to the wire in third place. He is trained by Jason Giles and owned by Jose M. Espinosa, James C. Laird, Ezra Elton Lee, and Cindy Bennett. Cipriano Vidana was in the saddle.
Followed by Daddy Queen Cartel
(Big Daddy Cartel-Woodbridge Duchess), Peyote Run (Big Daddy Cartel-Storm Run), Cowgirlsalady (Zulu Dragon-Redneck Cowgirl), Daddys Allstar (Big Daddy Cartel-Starsmith), Disco Dragon (Zulu Dragon-Banking Disco) & Buildem Fast (Buildemhigh-Muy Rapido). Heza Harley Chick scratched.
Sunland Park $297,925 300 yards :15.104 si 90
First Down Dash
Zulu Dragon
Hidden Dragon
RUNNING DRAGON, ’14-f
Devon Lane TB
Banking Lane
Banking Disco
Running Dragon and Jose Ortiz receive every call winning the $297,925 New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2 by 1/2-length
124 SPEEDHORSE, May 2016
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography
