Page 141 - June 2017

LQHBA Louisiana Bred Laddie Futurity-RG2
JLS DASH N FIRE
by John Moorehouse
Kenneth Roberts, Sr. has won the trainer title at Delta Downs seven times. If his horses have more performances like JLS Dash
N Fire did in the $266,140 LQHBA Laddie Futurity-RG2, Roberts will be claiming the title for the eighth time.
“I try to keep my horses as fresh as I can to run at this meet,” Roberts explained after JLS Dash N Fire won the May 20 stakes at Delta Downs.
“This is the meet we usually have the most money to run at. I do my best to try and keep them as fresh as possible,” Roberts explained.
A two-year-old colt owned by the TM Ranch, JLS Dash N Fire is undefeated in his first two outs. He entered the futurity as the favorite after posting a :16.788 wire-to-wire time in the April 29 trials, scoring the second fastest qualifying time.
Before the stakes final, though, the colt experienced a major switch in his race team when regular rider David Alvarez sustained an injury.
“I just felt that David got along a little bet- ter with him than anybody. Then David got hurt two days before the final,” Roberts said.
“That stretched me out a little bit, just because I knew he knew the horse better than anybody, so we put our heads together.
Noe [Castaneda] had been helping us out since a little bit before the first of the year. We just kind of decided to give him a chance on him.”
Castaneda did just that. The colt was erratic early but made a huge closing rally, chasing down his rivals and reaching the wire first by a head. The 330-yard trip took :16.837, and the colt earned a 91 speed index.
JLS Dash N Fire captured the $133,070 winner’s share of the purse, improving his cumulative earnings to $139,070. The payday also justified the $29,000 purchase price his connections paid for him in last year’s LQHBA Sale.
JLS-Speed Horse Ranch, Inc. bred JLS Dash N Fire and owns his dam, 3-time win- ner Psalmist. She placed fourth in the 2004 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby-RG2 and was a finalist in the 2003 LQHBA Lassie Futurity-RG3 and 2003 Lee Berwick Futurity-RG3, all at Delta Downs. The mare has produced 100% money earners from 10 starters that include Champion 2-Year-Old
Gelding/3-time New Track Record setter/top earner JLS Mr Bigtime, stakes winner JLS Book Of Psalms and stakes placed JLS Ms Politicaljess. Undefeated JLS Dash N Fire is now her third stakes winner.
Ima Gone Reba (Game Patriot-Rebas In The House) finished second for Ten To Win, LLC. The Michael Taylor trainee had J.R. Ramirez aboard. The gelding finished
second in his trial heat to qualify sixth the the finals of this stakes event. TF El Whiskey (Sir Runaway Dash-Toast To Mallard) hit the board in third for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr., and trainer Martin Trejo. Armando Ramirez did the riding. The colt won his April 29 trial heat to qualify with the third fastest time.
Atimely Touch (Jess Louisiana Blue- Modern Touch) finished fourth and was followed by Piloto Shiner (Mr Piloto- Shinningperrydash), LL Tee Boug (Tee Cos-Darlin Eyes), A Canadian Chill (Igotyourtac-Osceola Colors), Mr Coco Pilota (Mr Piloto-Cocopata) and Sizzlin Blues (Sizzlin Cartel-Iloveyoubluetoo). The Cazador scratched.
Delta Downs $266,140 • 330 yards :16.837 • si 91
Heza Fast Man
Heza Fast Dash
First Prize Dash
JLS DASH N FIRE, ‘15-c.
Osceola Warrior
Psalmist
First Down Story
JLS Dash N Fire (#5) & Noe Casteneda are up for the win in the $266,140 LQHBA Laddie Futurity-RG2
SPEEDHORSE, June 2017 139
RACING NEWS
Nicole Cormier/Coady Photography