Page 144 - Speedhorse May 2019

Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Derby-RG3
APOCALYPTICAL JESS
by Michael Cusortelli
Fastest qualifier from the April 7 trials, Apocalyptical Jess, a three-year-old sorrel son of 2010 World Champion Apollitical
Jess owned by Bill Robbins of San Jose, California, dominated his opposition in the 400-yard Remington Park Derby-RG3 on April 20.
Ridden by Ricky Ramirez for trainer Trey Wood, Apocalyptical Jess defeated Watah Flash by a clear 1 3/4-lengths in :19.766. The gelding earned the $115,990 winner’s share of a $289,975 purse, and he returned a $3.40 win mutuel as the 7-10 favorite in the field of eight.
“It was a perfect trip,” said Ramirez, who has ridden Apocalyptical Jess in six of the geld- ing’s eight races. “He left there in front, and I asked him for some run about halfway down the stretch, and he just exploded. From there, I just kind of sat on him, and he cruised home.”
Apocalyptical Jess made his season debut with a neck victory as the 3-10 choice in the second of six Remington Park Derby trials on April 7.
Raced in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas, Apocalyptical Jess has won five of eight
starts, including last year’s 440-yard $3-million All American Futurity-G1 at Ruidoso Downs, and he has banked $1,665,022.
The gelding ended his juvenile campaign with a sixth-place finish in the 400- yard $1.015-million Texas Classic Futurity-G1 at Lone Star Park.
Wood stated that
Apocalyptical Jess would
now be shipped back to New Mexico and be pointed towards three Grade 1 derbies at Ruidoso Downs.
The gelding won two of his four outs at Ruidoso last year and was the fastest over- all qualifier to the All American Futurity, Quarter Horse racing’s richest and most prestigious race.
“This horse speaks for himself. I really don’t have to say much,” Wood said. “He’s a special horse, and he does his job like we saw tonight. He’s one of the best horses around.”
“He’s a sound horse, and if we keep him that way, he’ll be tough to beat,” the condi- tioner added.
Last year’s Champion 2-Year-Old Gelding, Apocalyptical Jess was bred by Danny Joe Miller of Farmington, Missouri.
The gelding is one
of seven winners from nine starters produced by Cassandra Crest, a home-
bred winning daughter of the First Down Dash stallion Holland Ease. Cassandra Crest finished second in the 2003 Retama Park Futurity-G1, outrunning a group of two year olds that included Champion Brimmerton. Apocalyptical Jess is a half-brother to CC Seis, a finalist in the 2012 Heritage Place Futurity-G1 and winner of the 440-yard Hill Country Dash Stakes at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds in 2013.
Apocalyptical Jess’ second dam, the home- bred Cameronian mare Diamond For Leigh,
Remington Park $289,975 • 400 yards :19.766 • si 89
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Jess
Apollitical Time
APOCALYPTICAL JESS, ‘16-g.
Holland Ease
Cassandra Crest
Diamond For Leigh
Apocalyptical Jess & Ricky Ramirez score a 1 3/4-length victory iin the $289,975 Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Derby-RG3
142 SPEEDHORSE, May 2019
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