Page 49 - Speedhorse February 2018

DUPONTE si 96, $921,237
Champion 3-Year-Old Colt
Breeder: Bobby D. Cox
Owners: Bobby D. Cox and Kristen & Homero Paredes
Trainers: James B. Padgett, Josue Ponce & Judd Kearl
Jockeys: Rodrigo Vallejo & Jose Alvarez
2017 Record: 8-4-0-1(1), $274,203, 3rd All American D.-G1, 4th Rainbow D.-G1, Heritage Place D.-G2, fnl. Tx. Cl. D.-G1
Duponte spent his 3-year-old season in the very best company, qualifying for just about every major derby of the season. He won at Remington Park, Ruidoso Downs, and Lone Star Park, on fast tracks and sloppy ones.
Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, who was also named Champion Breeder of 2017, bred Duponte in Texas and sold him at the 2015 Texas Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale for $6,700 to Kristen Paredes. Cox later bought an interest in the colt, owning him with Kristen and Homero Paredes.
Duponte’s easygoing nature has aided him during his racing career.
“He is very quiet around the barn,” said Kristen Paredes, “but when he steps up on the track, his heart grows three sizes.”
Duponte began 2017 on a fast track at Remington, where he won his Heritage Place Derby-G2 trial by 3/4-length. He was coming on at the end of the finals, finishing fourth behind winner Hold Air Hostage.
At Ruidoso in his Rainbow Derby-G1 trial, Duponte had to contend with a wet-fast, sealed track. It didn’t bother him at all, as he soared home by 1 1/2-lengths. He again finished fourth to Hold Air Hostage in the finals.
In his trial for the All American Derby-G1, Duponte ran on a surface listed as sloppy and sealed. Once again, Duponte had no trouble with the going. Breaking fifth, he made up ground and pulled away to win by 2 1/2-lengths to become the second-fastest qualifier, behind only Hold Air Hostage.
At the start of the All American Derby finals, Duponte found himself in a little bit of tight quarters from the rail. He quickly got clear of any trouble and performed well to finish third, behind only the gelding Hold Air Hostage and the filly One Sweet Racy.
Duponte’s final win came on a fast track in the trial for the Texas Classic Derby-G1 at Lone Star, where he qualified the fastest. He went to stud at the James Ranch in Wayne, Oklahoma, with a lifetime record of seven wins, two seconds, and a third in 16 starts for earnings of $921,237.
All American Derby-G1 trials
Ocean Runaway
American Runaway
First Down Dash
Runaway Wave
Dash For Cash First Prize Rose Runaway Winner
In The Curl TB Special Effort
Fly In The Pie
Dash For Cash Phoebe’s Moon Bug
Holland Ease Corona Chick Strawfly Special Dashing Folly Streakin La Jolla Scoopie Fein Ronas Ryon Dream Duck
Rocket Wrangler Find A Buyer TB Gallant Jet
Rose Bug
Beduino TB
Miss Fast Chic Shelter Half
Ocean Girl
Raise Your Glass TB Go Effortlessly
Pie In The Sky Flying Rockette Rocket Wrangler Find A Buyer TB Lady Bug’s Moon Phoebe Dial
First Down Dash Easy Henryetta Chicks Beduino Sizzling Lil Special Effort Fly In The Pie First Down Dash Hempes Folly Streakin Six Bottom’s Up Sinn Fein
Legs La Scoop Windy Ryon
Rona Bar
Duck Dance TB
Here Comes My Baby
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
Fast Jet
Serena Chic Tentam
Gay Matelda Rollicking Pennsylvania Girl Raise A Native Champagne Woman Double Devil
Hijo Beauty TB Easy Jet
Miss Jelly Roll Rocket Bar TB
Fly Straw
Rocket Bar TB
Go Galla Go
To Market
Hide And Seek
Top Moon
FL Lady Bug Johnny Dial Phoebe Ak
Dash For Cash First Prize Rose Easy Jet
Babys Henryetta Beduino TB
A Classy Chick Sizzle Te
Lilsalady TB
Raise Your Glass TB Go Effortlessly
Pie In The Sky Flying Rockette Dash For Cash First Prize Rose Hempen TB Jets Runaway Easy Six
Miss Assured
Raise Your Glass TB La Jolla
Three Oh’s Vansarita Too Scooper Chick
La Ferne
Go Man Go
Silent Night
Three Bargains Sand Juana
Water Prince Classic Rhythm Third Martini TB Shining Saint
Strawfly Special Allamericandreamgirl
Dashing Phoebe DUPONTE, ’14, C.
Ivory James
Havanah Goodtime
Jess Celebrating
Corona Cartel
Dashin Follies
Mr Jess Perry
Fitting Celebration
SPEEDHORSE, February 2018 47
(c)Linda Earley Photography