Page 131 - November 2016

New Mexico Classic Futurity-RG2
MAGNIFICO DRAGON
by Dillon Hamilton
Fastest qualifier from the Oct. 15 trials, Magnifico Dragon was victorious in the $314,358 New Mexico Classic Futurity-RG2
for New Mexico bred two-year-olds at Zia Park on Oct. 30.
The gelding led from the outset and won convincingly. The wire-to-wire 1 3/4-lengths victory gave Daniel Balderrama his first Grade 2 victory as an owner, not to mention the gelding’s first stakes win. The racing pair of Magnifico Dragon and rider Mauro Salcedo bolted down the 400-yard track in :19.281, earning a speed index of 101. The time shat- tered his trial time of :20.011.
The gelding’s lifetime earnings spiked to $215,826 after claiming the $150,892 winner’s share of the purse.
The aura around the 2-year-old sorrel geld- ing remained positive after his dominant first ever stakes victory. Trainer Cynthia Gonzalez, reemphasized the horse’s positivity.
“He’s one of those positive horses you love to have in the barn,” she said.
The relationship between trainer and horse continued to improve throughout the six months of training. “I was worried about all of them. One mistake could mean everything or nothing. He [Magnifico Dragon] gave us
everything,” Gonzalez said. Magnifico Dragon shot
from the 1st post position on top and never relinquished any ground under Salcedo. In fact, the young gelding only contin- ued to gain ground and pull away from his would-be rivals. Owner Balderrama knew the importance lay in the start for Magnifico Dragon.
“He felt really good going
into the race and we liked his
trial time. I saw him out of the gate and knew he was going to break hard,” Balderrama said.
The owner pointed out Magnifico Dragon’s natural ability to blast from the gate as a potent advantage.
“I wasn’t that surprised with the result because I knew he could sustain his lead. He just kept gaining ground. He continues to gain experience with each race and get better and better,” he said.
The owner noted the gelding’s experience was a key factor even though he’s in his rookie season. The owner credited Cynthia Gonzalez and her team for the experience of such a young, but talented horse.
“The whole team did a great job. They put in a lot of hours and were the main influence in his [Magnifico Dragon] win,” he said.
Heriberto Moreno bred the gelding out of lightly- raced Cassies Mag in New Mexico. Magnifico Dragon is the mare’s only foal.
Running Dragon (Zulu Dragon-Banking Lane) finished second under jockey
Adrian Ramos for owner By By JJ, LLC and trainer Juan M. Gonzalez. Mitey Man (First Moonflash-Neons Miracle) finished third under jockey Edwuin Lujan for owner Bobby Simmons and trainer Trey Wood.
Es Runnin (Dunit Runnin-EJ Heart Talker), Big Spurs (Big Daddy Cartel-Lady Chimes), Kama Strawfly (Genuine Strawfly- Kama Miracle), Cartels Star Daddy (Big Daddy Cartel-Chivato Star), Scooters Debutant (Heza Motor Scooter-Phoebe Wallingford), You Can Do It Regard (Chicks Regard-Authorized Rime) and Jess A Glance (Jess A Chicks-Love At First Glance), who was DQ’d from 9th to 10th, completed the field.
Zia Park $314,358 • 400 yards :19.281 • si 101
First Down Dash
Zulu Dragon
Hidden Dragon
MAGNIFICO DRAGON, ’14-g.
Magnificence
Cassies Mag
Casady Cassies River
Magnifico Dragon & Mauro Salcedo receive every call to win the New Mexico Classic Futurity by 1 3/4-lengths
SPEEDHORSE, November 2016 129
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography