Page 130 - June 2015

Natl. Cowboy HOF P&A S.-G1
CANT BE CAUGHT
by John Moorehouse
Cant Be Caught continued to live up to his name on May 31 at Remington Park. This time,
the three-year-old gelding finished strong to win
the $34,700 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Stakes-G1 for Paints and Appaloosas.
The overwhelming betting favorite at less than even money, Cant Be Caught registered his eighth consecu- tive victory—a win streak that now includes five stakes races. John Diediker’s home-bred improved his overall record to 11 wins in 13 starts, and the $20,892 prize from this event increased his total earnings to $148,583. “You don’t raise many like that. If you get one in your lifetime, you’re lucky,” Diediker said after the race.
Cant Be Caught made a thrilling finish to extend that win streak. He was running a close 2nd entering the stretch behind Major Tom, but chased down
his rival & drew clear in the final yards to win by 1-length. Jeff Dean trains Cant Be Caught, who had Randy Wilson up as the gelding completed the 440- yards in :21.489 for a 96 speed index. It was a reunion for Wilson & Cant Be Caught; Wilson last rode him in March in trials for the Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby—which Cant Be Caught won—but Wilson suffered an injury shortly after that trial and didn’t return to riding until a couple of weeks ago.
Major Tom ApHC (Red Storm Cat QH-Eyesa Knockout) was 2nd under Jimmy Brooks for Mary Hainline & trainer Eddie D. Willis. Texas Silk APHA (Texas Six-Judys Silk) was 3rd under G.R. Carter Jr.
for Charles Leggett & trainer Jeff Dean. Followed by
If Ur Buyn Im Flyn APHA (SM Country Snowman- Expressions In Stone QH), Major Mac APHA (Judys Lineage-Peggys Bouquet QH), Call Him Awesome APHA (Awesome Chrome-Ryans Call QH) and Show Me Your Glory ApHC (With Honors QH-Miss Fancy Layne).
This race was held on closing day for the Quarter Horse & Mixed Breed meet at Remington Park, which included a track-record 51 dates.
Pelican Stakes
ASTICA
by Danny Camp
The biggest day of racing for New Mexico-breds was held in Albuquerque on May 10 - a beautiful sun kissed day. The track was obviously fast as Astica set a New Track Record in the $60,000 Pelican Stakes.
It was a stellar performance, something that makes a cowboy tip his hat. Astica had not been out since last summer, yet the 3-year-old sorrel filly left the 6-post with fire in her eyes. Jockey L. Salvador Martinez also had winning on mind & was riding hard. Then, almost comically, glanced over his right shoulder looking for the other horses. Seeing how far he was in front, he sat quiet & enjoyed demolishing the field. The pair was never headed & finished 3-lengths in front, stopping the clock at :18.912 for a 110 speed index - toppling the previous :19.090 set by Downwiththequickness last year.
Wesley Giles, who is in charge of conditioning, did his homework and knew Astica ran faster the farther she went. She has now won two in a row at 400 yards. With the $36,000 first place money, Astica has now made $77,660. Her record is three wins from six starts, with a third in last year’s Mountain Top Futurity-RG3.
Owned & bred by M J Farms, Astica is out of 2009 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Alice K White, winner of the Golden State Derby-G1 & La Primera Del Ano Derby-G2. The mare has 5 winners & 100% earners from 6 starters. Astica, her first stakes winner and top earner, is a full sister to Grade 1 placed Tuscan Redd.
Fire The Queen (Fighter On Fire-Quintessential) ran a gritty 2nd under Jesse Levario for Evel Zubiate & trainer Mario Sanchez. Bankie Bay (Brookstone Bay-Jess Brenda) had only 1 maiden win, yet ran 3rd under Esgar Ramirez for Felipe Flores Sr. & trainer Felipe Flores Jr. Followed
by Winning Merlot (Winners Version-Marilyn Merlot), Flash On A Dream (First Moonflash-A Dream Chick), Pretty Woody Jesse (Jesse James Jr-Woodbridge Duchess), Flashy Moon Stepper (First Moonflash-Chickie Goes Steppin), Bet The Sixes (Sixes Royal-Perfect Sevens) & Perry Tees Jet (Perry Tee Chick-Jets On Call).
Lineage Championship-RG3
RCJ MAJOR STORM
by Danny Camp
The Land Of Enchantment provided a beautiful day for racing on May 10, a day for New Mexico- breds with $678,000 on the line. The 400-yard Lineage Championship-RG3, a 400-yard test for older horses, boasted a $60,000 purse.
RCJ Major Storm dominated the race, leaving
the 5-post in front and never relinquishing the lead. Esgar Ramirez sat chilly in the irons and they crossed the wire 2-lengths in front of the field. The 6-year-old horse stopped the clock at :19.007, earning a 108 speed index. The clocking would have broken the pre- vious mark of :19.090 set by Downwithequickness in 2014 had Astica not toppled that record two races ear- lier with an :18.912. RCJ Major Storm has now won four in a row and 10 out of 32 starts. The $33,000 first place check takes his total bankroll to $555,828, with four additional stakes wins under his belt.
RCJ Major Storm is owned and trained by Alfredo Sanchez. He was bred in New Mexico, by Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Jones, who are both in the AQHA Hall of Fame. RCJ Major Storm is out of winner Major Kia, who has produced 100% ROM from 6 starters, including three stakes winners. RCJ Major Storm is her top earner.
Jess Got Issues (Jesse James Jr-Yo Mamma Got Issues) had won his last 2 outs and was full of confi- dence. He ran a great race to pick up the 2nd place check under Jamie Leos for owners Debra & Joseph
D. Meridyth Jr. and trainer Guadalupe Munoz Jr. Downwiththequickness (Be Real Quick-One Desperate Lady) didn’t get away really fast, but he gained ground the farther he went and took 3rd under Alonso Rivera for Terry G. Smith & trainer Tejay Smith. Followed by Miracle Snow (Dean Miracle-Snow Peak), Grant The Star (Atilla’s Storm TB-Stardust Dash), Patrick James (Jesse James Jr-Sandys Fame), Stuben (Stel Corona- Miss Jenni Perry), Monkey Lion (Leap Day Lark-Sheza Dean Miracle) & Jjs Fast Cash Rf (Jesse James Jr-Jjs Fast Gal). Threedeewoodee scratched.
Remington Park • $34,700 440 yards • :21.489 • si 96
Glitterman TB
Perfect Intention
CANT BE CAUGHT ApHC, ‘12-g.
Rare Form
With Intent ApHC
Unique Form QH
Rollin Ichie
The Downs at Albuquerque • $60,000 400 yards • :18.912 • si 110 • Ntr
Mr Jess Perry
Loose Lips
First Down Dash Champagne Lane
Jesse James Jr
ASTICA, ’12-f.
Alice K White
The Downs at Albuquerque • $60,000 400 yards • :19.007 • si 108
First Down Dash Le Ritz
Major Rime Pakea Kai
Brookstone Bay RCJ MAJOR STORM, ’09-h.
Major Kia
128 SPEEDHORSE, June 2015
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