Page 139 - June 2017

Jockey Martin Arriaga qualified both
of Aleman’s horses and he elected to ride Shangrilalala. So, rider Eduardo Nicasio picked up the mount on Fire And Sass.
In the Kindergarten Futurity finals, Fire And Sass exited beautifully from the nine-hole, getting the second call from the gates behind Summertime Favorite.
Fire And Sass quickly moved to the front of the field, with Summertime Favorite vying for the lead.
In the end, it was ultimately Fire And Sass prevailing by 1/2-length at the wire over the fast closing Dont Foose With Me.
Fire And Sass clocked the 300 yards in :15.466, earning a career best 93 speed index. “Martin (rider Arriaga) made the decision
to stay with the filly (Shangrilalala) because she’s quicker from the gate,” said Aleman.
“We just had bad luck (with Shangrilalala),” he admitted. “My other horse pushed her out and she kind of shied away. She came running towards the end, and she’s going to be a good filly.”
As for the winner, the trainer predicted that Fire And Sass would improve at longer distances, saying “this horse is better going down the track.”
Fire And Sass is now unbeaten from two starts. His bank account is now $129,712 with this $127,512 first place check. And, he also has a Grade 3 stakes victory under his belt.
The bay gelding has quite a flashy pedi- gree to his name. Speed LLC bred Fire And Sass in Utah out of 2007 California Hi-Point Three-Year-Old Filly Jess Sass Me. Winner of the 2006 Holiday Handicap, Jess Sass Me also placed in numerous Graded stakes events.
Jess Sass Me is an AQHA Dam of Distinction. She has produced 2016 Champion Aged Mare Sass Me Blue and 2014 Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Jess Walking Thru. Jess Sass Me has a total of 14 winners and 100% money earners from 22 starters. Her additonal stakes winners include Jess Being Valiant and Valiant Jess, and she is also the dam of stakes-placed winners Jess Sass Dash and Lady Perry On Fire.
Lin Melton bred, owns, and trains second-place Dont Foose With Me (Foose- Queenly Walk). Melton owns the gelding with Spackman Racing. Minor Ariana was up.
Paul Jones bred and trains third-place Summertime Favorite (Favorite Cartel- Summertime Quickie), and he owns the filly with Thompson Racing Inc. Rider Ramon Sanchez was aboard.
Completing the field were Shangrilalala (Mr Jess Perry-Bodacious Dream), Seems Even Better (Kiddy Up-Better Be Good), Mucho Bravado (Hard Hitting-Love My Corona), Missmerizing (PYC Paint Your Wagon-License To Thrill), Atypical (Mighty B Valiant-Eyes Especially Rare), Kindigit (Tres Seis-Daring Diversion) and Perfect Az Can Be (Texas Icon-Jess Perfect Girl).
Fire And Sass and Eduardo Nicasio return after their victory
Fire And Sass is owned by JGA Racing Stables Inc. and trained by Juan Aleman
SPEEDHORSE, June 2017 137
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