Page 57 - February 2016 Speedhorse

panther hero si 88, $61,584
Canadian Champion
Breeder: Carole Lampron Owner: John S. Wilson Trainer: Scott Reid Jockey: Cassandra Jeschke
2015 Record: 6-3(2)-1-0, $61,584, Ajax Juv. Chal., Alex Picov Mem. F., fnl. AQHA Juv. Chal. Champ.-G2
Everybody connected with Canadian Champion Panther Hero has Canadian roots, mostly via Ajax Downs. Panther Hero himself was bred in Ontario, Canada, while owner John Wilson is a third-generation horseman and barrel racer from New Liskeard, Ontario, and trainer Scott Reid is the son of Ajax-based trainer Don Reid.
Carole Lampron of Maple Lane Quarter Horses in Embrun, Ontario, bred Panther Hero, a son of Valiant Hero out of the Panther Mountain mare Rona Mountain. Rona Mountain began her racing career in her native Louisiana, but she won the 2008 Princess Futurity at Ajax.
Panther Hero made his 2-year-old debut at Ajax in a June 21 maiden race. It was an inauspicious start, as he took the brunt of a bumping incident and finished seventh.
He learned quickly, however, and proved easily the best in the July 12 John Deere Ajax Downs Juvenile Challenge. With his decisive 3/4-length victory, Panther Hero not only became a stakes winner, he qualified for the John Deere Juvenile Championship at Lone Star Park.
In a 300-yard allowance race at Ajax on Aug. 16, Panther Hero vied with Tres Sea, losing by 1/2-length. It would be his last loss at Ajax.
The Alex Picov Memorial Futurity is the major event for 2 year olds at Ajax. Wilson was particularly eager for Panther Hero to do well because his father, Len Wilson, had been friends with Picov.
From three trials, Panther Hero emerged as the third-fastest qualifier. He won his trial by a neck as the 3-5 favorite, and he went off as the 2-1 favorite in the final.
Panther Hero broke quickest under regular jockey Cassandra Jeschke. He had daylight on the field until fastest-qualifier Do U Zoom came flying at the end. But Panther Hero, determined to stay in front, held him off by a head.
That left only the Challenge Championships at Lone Star to complete the year. Panther Hero traveled to Texas for the Juvenile Challenge,
but luck was against him. He drifted out and interfered with other horses while finishing sixth, and he was disqualified and placed last.
Panther Hero wins the AQHA Ajax Juvenile Challenge at Ajax Downs
First Down Dash
Valiant Hero
Corona Chick
Dash For Cash
First Prize Rose
Chicks Beduino
Rocket Wrangler Find A Buyer TB Gallant Jet Rose Bug Beduino TB
A Classy Chick Sizzle Te Lilsalady TB
The Signature Lady Meter Reader Dash For Cash Running Blood Windy Ryon
Rona Bar
Zevi TB
Warchic’s Dream
Rocket Bar TB Go Galla Go To Market Hide And Seek Jet Deck
Leo Jewel
Lady Bug’s Moon Casco Rose Romany Royal Jo-Ann-Cat Chick’s Deck Mayshego TB Azure Te TB Jet’s Fair Lady Reb’s Policy Here’s To Lil
Noholme II TB Mable Chick Too Beduino TB Chronometer Rocket Wrangler Find A Buyer TB Victory Stride TB Double Queen Go Man Go Silent Light Three Bargains Sand Juana Cornish Prince Spire
War Chic Lady’s Gal
Three Bars Golden Rocket Go Man Go
La Galla Win Market Wise Pretty Does Alibhai Scattered
Moon Deck Miss Night Bar Leo
Linda Jewel
Top Moon
FL Lady Bug Levan
Prissy Hankins Grey Sovereign Romany Belle Rejected
Quick Eye
Three Chicks Decketta Mayhego Aegean Goddess Nashville
Blue One
Jet Deck Sooner Lady New Policy Yenoh Reb Exalted Rullah Jumpin Jackie
Star Kingdom Oceana Moolah Bux TB Mable Chick Romany Royal Jo-Ann-Cat Tiny Charger Rhoda Watch Rocket Bar TB Go Galla Go
To Market
Hide And Seek Northern Dancer Flaming Victress Double Bid
Miss Widow
Top Deck TB Lightfoot Sis Dividend
Lantana Belle TB Three Bars TB Little Marina Adams Sanddrift
Bama Paprika
Bold Ruler
Teleran
Carry Back Torrecilla
War Bam TB Chicado V
Blob Jr
Tom’s Lady Gray
Sizzling Lil PANTHER HERO, ‘13, g.
Panther Mountain
Meter Me Gone
Cash This Runner
Ronas Ryon
Zevis Dream Girl
Rona Mountain
Talk On Rona
SPEEDHORSE, February 2016 55
Clive Cohen photography