Page 139 - May 2016

Lakewood Handicap
DR JESS
by Tracy Gantz
Colic surgery had kept He Looks Hot from start- ing since he won the 2014 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity-G1. Though he was favored in the
April 10 Lakewood Handicap, Dr Jess got the better of him to post in this race, which is Dr Jess’s initial stakes victory.
The Lakewood Handicap turned into a virtual match race as both horses outbroke the others in the field. Initially, He Looks Hot raced to the lead, but Dr Jess refused to give up. With Jesus Ayala in the saddle, Dr Jess closed the gap, requiring a photo fin- ish to separate them at the wire. Dr Jess had won the 350-yard contest by a nose in :17.726. The $8,250 winner’s share of the $15,000 purse boosted his lifetime earnings to $41,115.
Yanet Rodriguez trains Dr Jess for the EG
High Desert Farm. The 4-year-old gelding finished second in the Lake Forest Handicap late last year. He won his trial for the Los Alamitos Winter Championship-G1 and ran sixth behind Champions Moonist and Heza Dasha Fire in the final.
Julianna Hawn Holt bred Dr Jess in California from Eye For Corona, winner of the 2007 Golden State Million Futurity-G1 and earner of over $1 million. The mare has produced seven winners from nine starters, including stakes winner Ultimate Wave and stakes-placed Eye For FDD.
Dr. Ed Allred bred and owns 2nd placed He Looks Hot (Walk Thru Fire-Look Her Over), who
is trained by Scott Willoughby and was ridden by Carlos Huerta. Jiffy James (Jesse James Jr-Ms Klee) was 3rd under Gary Boag for owner Stanley Watkins & trainer Charles Treece.
Completing the field were Blistering Speed
(Tres Seis-Meddlin Mischief), First Down Tiny Man (Tinys First Corona-High And Loose TB), Discontent (Separatist-Reeds Val) & Foosilame (Foose-Golden Butterfly RD).
John Alleman Memorial-RG3
OPEN ME A CORONA
by Michael Compton
Winner of the 2015 version of the John Alleman Memorial Stakes at Delta Downs, Open Me A Corona once again gave his connections reason to pop open a cold one when he returned to take this year’s running of the 350-yard fixture on April 22.
With David Alvarez aboard, Open Me A Corona proved a worthy favorite. The veteran campaigner jumped out to the early lead and led eight rivals throughout, crossing the wire 1 1/2-lengths ahead of runner-up Heza Louisiana Dash. Open Me a Corona covered the distance in :17.466, good for a speed index of 92.
It was the 10th stakes score for the classy 6 year old, and the $30,000 winner’s share of the purse increased his lifetime bankroll to $779,002. Open Me A Corona races in the colors of Charles Forbes Jr. and Tommy Hays. He is trained by Bobby Martinez.
Natalie Montgomery, DVM, bred Open Me A Corona in Louisiana out of In The Open. The mare has produced multiple stakes horses with earners of over $1 million. 2015 Champion Aged Stallion Open Me A Corona, who also set a New Track Record for 250yds, is her top money earner.
TM Ranch’s Heza Louisiana Dash (Heza Fast Dash-Eyejesslovelouisiana) finished second under Gilbert Ortiz for trainer Kenneth Roberts Sr.
Scoopies Leaving You (Coronas Leaving You-Ms Scoopies Toast) flashed early speed, drifted in and held third for owner Joel Galindo and trainer Kevin Broussard. Donald Watson was in the irons.
LD Streakin N Leavin (Coronas Leaving You- Streakin Juanita), Zoominforgrady (Zoomin For Bux-Supers First Jewel), Louisiana Jambalaya (Jet Black Patriot-Iwanna Dash), Firefly Fortune (Jet Black Patriot-Toast To Fortune), My Favorite Blue (Jess Louisiana Blue-Dasha Effort) & Strong Guns (Strong Hope-Gunslinger) completed the order of finish. First Prize Laikyn scratched.
Delta Dash
PYC FIRST PRIZE MIA
by Gloria Dow
Making it three consecutive victories, PYC First Prize Mia scored a wire-to-wire win in the 250-yard $22,100 Delta Dash at Delta Downs
on April 23. Under the guidance of jockey David Alvarez, PYC First Prize Mia broke on top from the 3-hole and never looked back. The 4-year-old bay filly had a head lead at the top of the stretch and fin- ished a nose in front of fast closing Snipes And Bites.
It was hard-fought, but well worth the effort as PYC First Prize Mia moved into blacktype with her first stakes victory in the Delta Dash.
PYC First Prize Mia stopped the clock in :13.102 for a 90 speed index and the $12,000 winner’s share. Her bank account now stands at $39,975 and her race record is 5(1)-0-1 from 12 lifetime starts.
Prior to this race, PYC First Prize Mia scored
a 1/2-length allowance win and a length win in an optional claiming at Louisiana Downs. Earlier this year, she was also a finalist in the Harrah’s Dash.
PYC First Prize Mia is trained by Kenneth Weeks for owner Lester Columb, Jr. Bred by Weetona Stanley, PYC First Prize Mia is out of A A A race winner First Prize Diamond. The mare has produced 6 winners and 7 ROM earners from her 7 starters to date, including additional stakes winner First Prize Denim ($158,041) and stakes placed First Prize Jet ($251,758).
In second was Snipes And Bites (Vrrroom-BR Corona Sensation) under Damian Martinez for Pete Scarmardo & trainer Brian Stroud. In third was Sydney Leigh (First Prize Perry-Include) under John Hamilton for owner/trainer Martin Trejo. Followed by Wild Tycoon (Tempting Dash-First Down Hemp), King Daddy Dove (King Corona-Jazzing Micki), Shes A Fast Dash (Heza Fast Dash-Classic Cartel) Chicks Leaving You (Coronas Leaving You-Hick Called Chick), Voncitas Game (Game Patriot-Voncita), Runaway Mystery (Mr Queens Mystery-Runaway Topperette) & Game Rita (Game Patriot-Victorita).
Delta Downs • $22,100 250 yards • :13.102 • si 90
Corona Cartel
PYC Paint Your Wagon
Dashin Follies
Fly Jess Fly
First Prize Diamond
PYC FIRST PRIZE MIA, ‘12-f.
First Prize Dash
Los Alamitos • $15,000 350 yards • :17.726 • si 88
Mr Jess Perry DR JESS, ’12-g.
Eye For Corona
Streakin La Jolla
Scoopie Fein
Corona Cartel
Eye For The Sixes
Delta Downs • $50,000 350 yards • :17.466 • si 92
Corona Cartel
Coronas Leaving You
Lil Bit Rusty
Mr Eye Opener Ocean Memories
OPEN ME A CORONA, ’10-h.
In The Open
SPEEDHORSE, May 2016 137
RACING NEWS
Los Alamitos
Nicole Cormier/Coady Photography
Nicole Cormier/Coady Photography