Page 122 - November 2015

Hobbs America Derby-G3
APOLLITICAL SIGN
by Michael Cusortelli
Tenth-fastest qualifier in the Sept. 27 trials, Apollitical Sign outran his 29-1 odds to win the $177,935 Hobbs America Derby-G3 at Zia Park on Oct. 11. Ridden by Raul Hernandez and racing against a 15-mph head wind, Apollitical Sign went 440 yards in :21.884 and earned a career-best 88 speed index. Joaquin Lopez saddled the gelding for owner Danny R. Escalante of Denver City, TX.
“We actually thought about scratching him from the final and running him in another shorter race,” Lopez said. “I didn’t think he could handle 440, but he really surprised me. He ran a good race.”
“We almost sold him before the final,” he added. “Wade Helton told me, ‘Man, he looks like he might make a nice rop- ing horse.’ I told him I’d talk to the owner, but I’m glad we didn’t end up selling him.”
Apollitical Sign was bred by Sara Morgan of Edmond, OK. He is 1 of 3 winners from as many starters foaled by First Painted Sign, who won 2 graded stakes during her freshman campaign, including the $394,340 Speedhorse Gold & Silver Cup Futurity-G1. Apollitical Sign is a 1/2-brother to First Valiant Sign, winner of this year’s $750,000 Ruidoso Futurity-G1, and A Tres Of Paint, runner-
up in the $1,170,000 Heritage Place Futurity-G1 on May 30.
A $37,000 buy at the 2013 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Apollitical Sign has won 2 of 10 starts, and the $85,409 winner’s share of the Hobbs America Derby increased his bankroll to $96,438. The gelding was also a finalist in the March 28, 400- yard West Texas Derby-G3.
“It’s really been a team effort with this horse,” said Lopez. “The owner spends a lot of time helping out around the barn.
A lot of the credit for this horse’s success goes to Danny and my assistant trainer, Manuel Soto. “We’ll probably race him one more time
here at Zia Park, and then give him the winter off and come back with him at Remington Park next spring,” he added.
Takiana Romanova B (Fdd Dynasty-Taka Puna) was 2nd under Ivan Carnero for Jimmy & Dinah Negrete and trainer Juan M. Gonzalez.
El Damazo (Desirio-Invisible Streaker) was 3rd under Esgar Ramirez for Daniel Balderrama, Juan Castro & Sergio F. Castro and trainer Cynthia Gonzalez. Followed by Jess Alota Fly (Fly Jess Fly-Lotawatah), Eyesa Rowdy Shazoom (Shazoom-Eyesa Ten), Pycs Little Lady (Pyc Paint Your Wagon-Fitness Lady), Jesse Jr First Down (Jesse James Jr-First Down Beaus), Volten (Volcom-Jess A Ten), Kru 82 (Stoli-On A Bunny) & Eyegazzo (Ragazzo-Eyesa Beauty 123).
2016 Speedhorse Triple Crown
Win the Prestigious Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Triple Crown!
350 YARD
SPEEDHORSE PAINT & APPALOOSA FUTURITY-G1
$40,000 added • $122,000 estimated
For Two-year-old APHA or ApHC • 122 lbs. *Trials: July 16, 2016 • Finals: July 30, 2016 FAIR MEADOWS
Tulsa, Oklahoma
7-Day Grace Period - No Exceptions!
February 1
March 1 $300 April 1 $300 May 1 $300 June 1 $300 TOTAL $1,500
Late Supplement Time of Entry payment to be made at racetrack Payment $3,000 + All Payments † Plus All Payments to Date *tentative dates
Regular Late Payment Payment
$300
$150 † $250 † $600 † $2,000 †
2nd Leg Of The
350 YARD
SPEEDHORSE GRAHAM PAINT
& APPALOOSA FUTURITY-G1
$100,000 added
$300,000 estimated
For Two-year-old APHA or ApHC • 122 lbs. *Trials: May 21, 2016 • Finals: June 4, 2016 REMINGTON PARK
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
7-Day Grace Period - No Exceptions!
December 1, 2015 January 1, 2016 February 1, 2016 March 1, 2016 April 1, 2016 TOTAL
Regular Late Payment Payment
Late Supplement Time of Entry payment to be made at racetrack Payment $5,500 + All Payments † Plus All Payments to Date *tentative dates
$500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $2,500
$500 † $1,000 † $3,000 † $4,000 †
1st Leg Of The
400 YARD
SPEEDHORSE LONE STAR PAINT
& APPALOOSA FUTURITY-G1
Added Money TBA
$100,000 estimated
For Two-year-old APHA or ApHC • 122 lbs. *Trials: October, 2016
*Finals: November, 2016
LONE STAR PARK - Grand Prairie, Texas
7-Day Grace Period - No Exceptions!
Regular Late
Payment Payment
May 1 $300
June 1
July 1
August 1
September 1
TOTAL $1,500
Late Supplement Time of Entry payment to be made at racetrack Payment $3,000 + All Payments † Plus All Payments to Date *Tentative Dates
$300 $150 † $300 $250 † $300 $600 †
$300
$2,000 †
3rd Leg Of The
120 SPEEDHORSE, November 2015
Zia Park $177,935 • 440 yards :21.884 • si 88
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Jess
Apollitical Time
APOLLITICAL SIGN, ’12-g.
Pyc Paint Your Wagon
First Painted Sign
Stylish Sign
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography