Page 47 - 23 November 2012

new Mexico Classic Futurity-RG2
DaShin aCe
by Stacy Pigott
new Mexico-bred Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds took the spotlight on Oct. 28 at Zia Park, when 11 stakes races worth
a total of $1.9 million comprised the richest state-bred card in the nation. The richest race of the day for either breed was the $293,550 New Mexico Classic Futurity-RG2, won by longshot Dashin Ace.
Dashin Ace had every reason to be a 35-1 outsider in the New Mexico Classic Futurity. The gelding was one of only two maidens in the field, and had made it into the finals with a third-place trial effort that landed him the sixth-fastest qualifying spot. The competition was deep and included several horses with graded stakes experience. Gonna Cha Cha, winner of the Grade 1 Zia Futurity and All American Juvenile, was there, as was New Mexico Senor Futuirty-RG3 runner-up Jesses On The Run, Zia Futurity second and third- place finishers The Jour Js and Runin Sixes, and fastest qualifier ES Dove.
Dashin Aces, in the meantime, had average credentials that started with third-place non- qualifying efforts in the trials to the Grade 1 Ruidoso and Rainbow futurities. Next came his sole stakes appearance, an eighth-place finish
in the By By JJ Stakes at Ruidoso Downs. His fourth career start six weeks later at Zia Park was slightly more encouraging when he ran second in a New Mexico-bred maiden race.
Racing for a three-man partnership up
until that point, Dashin Ace was about to undergo some changes. One partner opted out, and remaining owners Derrol Hubbard and Ted Rushing moved the gelding to the barn of trainer Mike Joiner.
“I got him about three weeks before the trials,” trainer Mike Joiner said. “He was a good-looking colt. He had two or three minor issues, but nothing serious. We just got him ready and he ran a good race in the trials. He got a little short the last 30 yards, but he took the race really well and trained really good between the trials and finals.
“I was expecting him to run
a really big race (in the finals),”
Joiner continued. “I didn’t know if he could win it or not. But he ran his race and he got there.”
Originally slated to have Roy Baldillez
in the irons, Dashin Ace went to post under the guidance of Jose Montoya when Baldillez was needed at Los Alamitos to ride World Champion Cold Cash 123 in the Robert
L. Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship-G1. Though it was the first horse Montoya had ever ridden for Joiner, he was up to the task.
Breaking from post position five, Dashin Ace left the gates well and found clear sailing
down the middle of the track. Dashes Best and The Four Js led the field early, but Dashin Ace took over the lead by the second call and held off the furious late charges of Jess A Satin
Chicks and Gonna Cha Cha to win by a neck. He covered the 400 yards in :19.674.
Dashin Ace earned $140,905 for the win, and has now banked $149,029 in his career. Derrol Hubbard originally paid $30,000 for Dashin Ace at the 2011 New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by breeder MJ Farms. He is the third winner and first stakes winner for his dam, Ace Crystal Charm, who won the
Texas Juvenile Challenge-G3 during her racing career. Dashin Ace is sired by the late Dash Ta Fame, a fact that might have helped his easy transition to the Joiner stable.
“Probably what helped more than anything is he’s by Dash Ta Fame, and I’ve had several good Dash Ta Fames, so I kind of know how they are, personality wise,” Joiner said.
Joiner indicated Dashin Ace will now
be pointed for the Shue Fly Stakes-RG2 at Sunland Park, which has trials on Dec. 14 and the finals on Jan. 5, 2013.
“He come back really good,” Joiner added. “The second day after the race he was bucking and playing on the walker.”
Finishing second to Dashin Ace in the New Mexico Classic Futurity was Jess A Satin Chicks (Chicks A Blazin-Jess Satin). Jaime Dominguez owns and trains the filly. Esgar Ramirez has ridden her in all four of her starts.
Gonna Cha Cha, the richest horse in
the field, broke out from the seven hole and drifted out, brushing with Jess A Satin Chicks before straightening out and rallying for third. Cody Wainscott rode Gonna Cha Cha (Gonna Ro Sham Bo-Domeinitchy TB), who is owned by Norma Alvarez, Brenda Alvareza and Debra Laney. Juan Gonzalez saddled the gelding.
The top three were followed by The Four Js (Get Down Perry-Invisible Streaker), Dashes Best (Dash Ta Fame-Rammers Best TB), Cmon Jesses Girl (Jesse James Jr-Hot Babe Indy Suds), Jesses On The Run (Jesse James Jr-Luck N Romance), ES Dove (Jesse James Jr-Smart Alibi Lady), Whoshotjessejames (Jesse James Jr-Bullet Bullion), and Runin Sixes (Sixes Royal-Perfect Sevens).
Zia Park $293,550 • 400 yards :19.674 • si 85
First Down Dash
Dash Ta Fame
Sudden Fame
DASHIN ACE, ’10-g.
Shazoom
Ace Crystal Charm
Krissy Girl
Dashin Ace (#5) and Jose Montoya won the $293,550 New Mexico Classic Futurity at Zia Park by a neck.
SPEEDHORSE, November 23, 2012 45
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