Page 191 - October 2015

Mid-City Stakes-RG3
SCOOTER PRIZE
by Michael Compton
When multiple graded stakes winner Scooter Prize gets her way, she’s tough to beat, and that’s exactly what happened in the $50,000 Mid- City Stakes-RG3 at Fair Grounds on Aug. 29. With her regular rider David Alvarez in the irons, Scooter Prize broke sharply and jumped out to an early lead in the 400-yard fixture. Despite receiving early pres- sure from a host of rivals, the 4-year-old filly edged clear late to win by 1/2-length in a determined effort.
In notching her 5th stakes (3rd graded) and 3rd this season, Scooter Prize stepped the distance in
a lively :19.536 and earned a 105 speed index. Her time just missed Fast Talkin Henry’s track record of :19.428 set in 2014. Fast Talkin Henry was sent off as the favorite in the this year’s Mid-City, but failed to threaten after brushing soon after the start.
The $30,000 winner’s share ups Scooter Prize’s earnings to $293,395, and her record is now 30-10- 6-4 for owner Ana Alvidrez & trainer Martin Trejo. The filly also owns graded stakes wins in the 2014 Vinton S.-RG3 & Louisiana Champions Day D.-RG3.
John K. Leger bred Scooter Prize in Louisiana out of stakes-placed Royal Baby Scooter. Runner-up in the 2003 Hopes and Dreams Futurity, the mare was winless in her racing career but placed in 8 of 18 tries.
Shesa Dashingromance (Heza Fast Dash-Dash N to Romance) was 2nd under Everardo Rodriguez for Joseph Brignac & trainer Lanny Keith. In a DH for 3rd were JJS Black Lace (Jet Black Patriot-Lethal N Lace), ridden by Raul Ramirez Jr. for Felipe Armaro & trainer Carlos Saldivar, and Heza Fast Rogue (Heza Fast Dash- Miss Jess Rogue), with Donald Watson aboard for Jacque Bourque & Brock Broussard and trainer Kevin Broussard. Followed by Fast Talkin Henry (Heza Fast Dash-Streakin Cindy), Pops Special Tool (Jet Black Patriot-Arosa O Toole), Bipty Dash (Heza Fast Dash- Bipty Jazz TB) & Philips Streakin (Heza Fast Dash-Six Streakin Salute). Dashin Gage was scratched.
Gentilly Dash
SCOOPIES LEAVING YOU
by Michael Compton
Much to the delight of owner Joel Galindo, Scoopies Leaving You took to a wet, sealed race- track in the $38,000 Gentilly Dash at Fair Grounds on
Aug. 22. Ridden by Donald Watson, Scoopies Leaving You dueled on the front end throughout the 250-yards, poked his head in front late and held Jess A Rogue safe in the final strides to win by a head. The 4-year-old colt sped the distance in a lively :12.886 and earned a speed index of 103 for trainer Kevin Broussard. Scoopies Leaving You’s final clocking fell just ticks shy of Open Me a Corona’s track record of :12.840 set in 2014.
The $24,000 winner’s share of the purse boosted Scoopies Leaving You’s bankroll to $165,780 and improved his tab to 19-9-2-2. It was the 2nd stakes score for the colt, who also annexed the 2013 Louisiana Juvenile Stakes and finished 3rd in the Flying Breed Stakes earlier this season.
Bred in Louisiana by Gerald Libersat, Scoopies Leaving You is out of Ms Scoopies Toast. A winner in 3 of 30 lifetime outings during her racing career, the mare was 3rd in the 2007 Party Girl Stakes. She is the dam of additional winner Hypervelocity.
Gentilly Dash runner-up Jess A Rogue (Heza Fast Dash-Miss Jess Rogue) finished willingly along the rail under Alfonso Lujan to just miss for owner Triple M Farms and trainer Trey Ellis.
I Love This Dash (Heza Fast Dash- I Love this Bar) led early for jockey John Hamilton, but gave way late to finish 3rd, a neck behind Jess A Rogue. Lanny Keith saddled the 4-year-old filly for owner Louis Johnson.
Rosouti (Agouti-Rose for Windy), Kerrys Special Crown (Special Crown Royal-Prissy Lege), RBD Jessaswingin (Swingin Jess-Furby), Cartels Fortune (Cartels Cartel-Jewels Fortune), Feisty Favorite (Bigtime Favorite-Kerrys Streakin Lady), Zoomin For Bugs (Zoomin for Bux-Toast To Bugs), Lets Jess Do It (First Prize Perry-Lets Separate) followed.
Esplanade Stakes
SLEEPERS BEST CORONA
by Michael Compton
Sleepers Best Corona made it back-to-back stakes wins with a gate-to-wire score in the $32,600 Esplanade Stakes at Fair Grounds on Aug. 28. Piloted by Martin Rubalcava, Sleepers Best Corona popped the gate and assumed command at the break. With Zoomin Baby giving chase, Sleepers Best Corona proved stubborn. He kept that rival at bay through the lane and hit the finish with a neck to spare. The 4-year-old gelding covered 350 yards in :17.398 and earned a speed index of 98.
The $18,000 winner’s share increased his lifetime earnings to $116,635 and improved his slate to 13-7-2-0 for owner Frank Benson and trainer Carlos Saldivar. In his previous outing, Sleepers Best Corona annexed the Miss Polly Classic Stakes-G3 at Delta Downs.
Bred in Oklahoma by Southern Rose Ranch, Sleepers Best Corona is out of winner Call Me the Sleeper, who won once from 8 career starts & was 4th in the 2004 Oklahoma Derby-G3. The mare is the dam of 3 winners from 4 starters. Her other stakes winner, Call Me The Sleeper, is the dam of stakes-placed Royal Snow White.
Zoomin Baby (Jess Zoomin-Royal Baby Sister) crossed the wire 2nd, but was disqualified after lug- ging in early and placed last. LD Streakin N Leavin (Coronas Leaving You-Streakin Juanita), was moved to 2nd under jockey Antonio Alberto. The gelding races for owner Jose Barron and is trained by Manuel Macias. The show spot went to The Eagle Express (One Famous Eagle-Rustys Quickid), who hopped at the start and ran an even race for jockey Alfonso Lujan. Larry Kopycinski saddled the gelding for owner Mary Thompson. Followed by Bradys March Madness (Jess Louisiana Blue-Kokopelli Hills), Rusty Bloom (Jet Cartel-Seattle Bloom-TB), Feature My News (Feature Mr Jess-Goodnews Montana) & The Lizzard King (Valiant Hero-Jess a Lil Bit). Heza Fast Rogue and Runaway Canyon were scratched.
Fair Grounds • $50,000 400 yards • :19.536 • si 105
Mr Jess Perry
First Prize Dash
A Royale High
First Prize Perry
SCOOTER PRIZE, ‘11-f.
Royal Baby Scooter
American Baby
Fair Grounds • $38,000 250 yards • :12.886 • si 103
Corona Cartel
Coronas Leaving You
Lil Bit Rusty
SCOOPIES LEAVING YOU, ‘11-c.
Toast To Dash
Ms Scoopies Toast
Scoopie Dash
Fair Grounds • $32,600 350 yards • :17.398 • si 98
Corona Cartel
Fantastic Polly
SLEEPERS BEST CORONA, ‘11-g.
Strawfly Special
Call Me The Sleeper
Coronas Prospect
Wakeup Call
SPEEDHORSE, October 2015 189
RACING NEWS
Lou Hodges Jr., Hodges Photography
Amanda Hodges Weir, Hodges Photography
Alexander Barkoff, Hodges Photography