Page 160 - October 2016
P. 160
La Fiesta Futurity
JM COUNTRY MAN
By Michael Compton
JM Country Man entered the inaugural running of the $224,558 La Fiesta Futurity at The Downs at Albuquerque as a maiden and he exited the 400-yard test a stakes winner. Ridden by Jose Enriquez, JM Country Man broke third from the 10-hole and raced
in third position early before overtaking Kitty Kiernan in the lane to post the 1-length, upset victory at odds of nearly 22-1.
In winning for the first time in five career starts, JM Country Man, traveled the distance in :19.650, earning a speed index of 90 for trainer Shae Cox.
“I knew it would be a tough challenge,” said Cox. “I was happy he drew the 10 hole because he doesn’t do as well with pressure on both sides of him. Jose gave him a heck of a ride.” With the victory, JM Country Man, improved his slate to 5-1-0-2, and the $112,279 winner’s share of the purse increased his earn- ings to $113,339 for owners Javier Marquez and J & M Racing and Farm of Monahans, Texas. Winless in his first four outings, JM Country Man appears to be coming to hand. “We have done a lot of schooling with him in company,” Cox said. “He is a little immature, but we are thrilled with the win.”
JM Country Man was the ninth fastest qualifier to the La Fiesta Futurity. The gelding finished third in
his trial heat behind fastest qualifier Machismo Moon and fourth-fastest qualifier Toretto. Jockey Enriquez was aboard for the Sept. 10 trials as well as in the finals.
Prior to the trials to
the La Fiesta Futurity, JM
Country Man competed in
the trials to the Ruidoso Futurity, the Rainbow Futurity, and to the All American Futurity.
Bred in Arkansas by Corner K Quarter Horses LLC, JM Country Man is pro-
duced from the graded stakes-winning mare Sumokin. A daughter of Country Chicks Man, Sumokin captured the 2011 Black Gold Futurity Championship Stakes-RG3 at Will Rogers Downs. In addition to her lone stakes score, Sumokin also finished second in the 2012 Miss Olene Handicap at Remington Park and was a finalist in the Dash For
Cash Futurity-G1, Easy Jet Stakes-RG3, and Speedhorse Derby-G3. All told, she bankrolled
$307,315 in winning four of 16 lifetime starts.
Sumokin is the dam of three foals, but JM Country Man is her only foal of race age.
Runner-up Kitty Kiernan (FDD Dynasty-Fleeting Touch) led early but couldn’t match strides with the winner late. The sorrel filly is owned by Patrick Guthrie, Billy Smith, Paul Blanchard and Fred Grooms and is trained
by Justin Joiner.
Just A Little Wagon (PYC Paint Your
Wagon-A Little Storm) gained some ground late and finished third under Cipriano Vidana for owners Ezra Elton Lee and Cindy Bennett and trainer Wesley Giles.
Followed by Dash Ta Desirio (Desirio- Wire To Wire), Rebelious (Mr Jess Perry-Tiny Dash Of Cash), Machismo Moon (Heza Motor Scooter-Machi Moon), BF Chasing Foose (Foose-BF Lollypop), O What A Night (One Famous Eagle-Kasting Kouch), Toretto (Dominyun-Le Mishka) & A Fancy La Jolla (Fantastic Corona Jr-Babydoll La Jolla).
The Downs at Albuquerque $224,558 400 yards :19.650 si 90
Streakin La Jolla
Mr Jess Perry
Scoopie Fein
JM COUNTRY MAN, ‘14, g.
Country Chicks Man
Sumokin
Bye Bye Baby Goodbye
158 SPEEDHORSE, October 2016
JM Country Man and jockey Jose Enriquez win the $224,558 La Fiesta Futurity by 1-length
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Coady Photography
