Page 114 - December 2015

New Mexico Filly & Mare Championship
BL CORONA
by Danny Camp
The ladies lined up at Zia Park on Nov. 25 for the 400-yard New Mexico Quarter Horse Fillies And Mares Championship, which was worth a total of $153,480.
When the gates opened, BL Corona received the third call at the break. At 40-1 odds, BL Corona was heading the pack within a few strides. With only a few waves of the
left handed whip from rider
Edgar Martinez. they crossed
the wire a neck in front. BL
Corona stopped the clock
at :19.842, earning a speed
index of 85. With first place
money of $91,800, her total
bankroll comes to $165,066.
Stepping into stakes company for the first time, the filly seems to be getting better and better. She has won her last 2 races in a row, both with Edgar aboard, and now has 4 wins.
BL Corona is owned by Bertha S. Irigoyen, trained by Irving Fournier and was bred in New Mexico by Jovi Investment Corp.
According to Fournier, “Our filly was at the top of her game coming in. She is a ter- rific gate horse and trains like a champ. I told Bertha that I had a good feeling and I knew we were gonna win.”
Apparently his feeling was correct. Irving said Edgar Martinez is a very nice young man and, while he has only been riding for about a year, he has lots of talent.
BL Corona is out of the winning mare BL Durun, who has produced six winners from nine starters. BL Corona is the second stakes winner of the brood, while Run Mr is the highest money earner with five graded stakes wins and over $366,000 in earnings.
Astica (Jesse James Jr-Alice K White) finished a strong second. Her team includes owner M J Farm and trainer Jason Giles. Adrian Ramos was up.
The photo showed Pretty Woody Jesse (Jesse James Jr-Woodbridge Duchess) was third. She is owned by Yaneth Cabrera and trained by Ken Grisham. Ivan Carnero was in the irons.
Bankie Bay (Brookstone Bay-Jess Brenda), Genuine Kiss (Genuine Strawfly-Hasta Be Kissed), Watch For Corona (Royalty On Watch-My First Corona), Penny Snatchin (Gone To The Mountain-Himaintenancegal), AJ Hardwood (Hard Hitting-Lady Woodbridge), Regal First Moon (First Moonflash-Regal Fly) & Averyspecialsouthern (Southern Corona-Secrets Revealed) com- pleted the field. CD Tight Rope and Lady Secret Dash scratched.
Zia Park $153,480 • 400 yards :19.842 • si 85
Corona Cartel
Southern Corona
Southern Policy
BL CORONA, ’11-f.
Runaway Winner
Bl Durun
Dupli Kate Reign
RACING NEWS
LQHBA Breeders’ Derby
HEZA LOUISIANA DASH
by Michael Compton
Racing for owner TM Ranch, Heza Louisiana Dash scored the first stakes win of his career , dispatching nine rivals in
the $267,171 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby at Evangeline Downs on Nov. 28.
Saddled by Kenneth Roberts Sr. and ridden by Gilbert Ortiz, the fastest qualifier from the Nov. 11 trials Heza Louisiana Dash jumped clear to a 1/2-length lead away from the gate
in the 400-yard race. He
maintained a clear advantage
through the lane, holding
safe a late bid from Louisiana
Jambalaya at the finish to
prevail by 3/4-length.
Sent off as the 5-2 sec- ond choice in the race, Heza Louisiana Dash stopped the timer in :19.893 and earned a speed index of 91 in winning for the sixth time in 12 starts. The $118,891 winner’s share of the purse
112 SPEEDHORSE, December 2015
increased his bankroll to $212,115. In addition to the LQHBA Breeders’
Derby, Heza Louisiana Dash is twice stakes- placed, having finished second in both the
2014 LQHBA Invitational Stakes and this year’s Treme Derby at Fair Grounds. He also quali- fied for the 2014 LQHBA Sale Futurity and this year’s Delta Downs Louisiana-bred Derby.
“He ran a super race in the trials; I didn’t have to push him,” Ortiz told
the media in the winner’s circle following the LQHBA Breeders’ Derby. “Tonight he left running. Kenny has done a great job with him. He had a layoff after New Orleans and was ready this meet.”
Bred in Louisiana by Jumonville Farms/Burnett Ranch, Heza Louisiana Dash is produced from the 2-time winning mare Eyejesslovelouisiana.
The mare is the dam of additional winner Louisiana Fast Dash.
Louisiana Jambalaya (Jet Black Patriot- Iwanna Dash) finished a game second under John Hamilton. The gray colt is owned by Carter’s Quarters LLC and is trained by Trey Ellis. Icanonlyimagine (Swingin Jess-Real Or Imagined) and Joe Badilla Jr. checked in third for owner Bobby Cox. Like the winner, the gelding was saddled by Roberts. Dashacrossyourmind (Heza Fast Dash-Doievercrossyourmind), Jes
A Fast Dasher (Heza Fast Dash-Jes A Game), Louisiana Sixshooter (Heza Fast Dash-California Sixes), Little Blue Dove (Jess Louisiana Blue- Hurried Connection), B And G Fast Dash
(Heza Fast Dash-Rita Regent), Game Hi (Game Patriot-Jazzing Linda) & Shes A Fast Dash (Heza Fast Dash-Classic Cartel) completed the order of finish.
Evangeline Downs $267,171 • 400 yards :19.893 • si 91
Heza Fast Man
Heza Fast Dash
First Prize Dash
HEZA LOUISIANA DASH, ’12-g.
Mr Jess Perry
Eyejesslovelouisiana
Louisiana Eye Opener
Coady Photography Coady Photography