Page 145 - June 2021

“This win is dedicated to my grandpa. He passed away,” Ortiz-Castillo said as part of a press release issued by Remington Park. “I can’t believe we just won. I’m speechless. We’re going to celebrate tonight.”
It marked the first Heritage Place Futurity for both Jet Black Grace’s owners and his trainer, Fidencio Jimenez.
“I really thought he was going to run big,” Jimenez said. “He was a lot quieter today. I thought he’d give us a good try.”
Indeed, he did. Drawing the 9 gate, Jet Black Grace came flying from the outside, tak- ing the lead going into the stretch, then hold- ing off Political Rose by a neck at the wire.
Juan Pulido, the rider aboard Jet Black Grace, believed his horse led the entire way. Jet Black Race finished the 350-yard race in :17.455, registering a 92 speed index with a 5 mph crosswind blowing.
“The horse was very calm,” Pulido told Stallionesearch. “He wasn’t nervous at all. He helped me relax. That’s what made me believe in him. The way I see it, the horse won it wire to wire, from the gate to the finish line. It wasn’t easy but, yes, we were in the front.”
Pulido ended up claiming the 2020 Remington meet jockey title winning the Heritage Place Futurity for the first time.
“He was all focused tonight,” Pulido said. “He finished so strong.”
Going off at 8-1 odds, Jet Black Grace pro- duced a $552,292 payday that increased his total bankroll to $571,316. Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches
LP bred Jet Black Grace, who sold for $55,000
in the TQHA Yearling Sale. The gelding was foaled in Texas out of Thrill and Grace, a 2004 mare. A stakes winner herself, Thrill and Grace finished first in the 2007 running of the Harrah’s Entertainment Derby-G2 at Louisiana Downs.
Political Rose (Apollitical Jess-Cartel Rosie), the fastest qualifier, finished 2nd for Dunn Ranch. The Monty Arrossa trainee had Jesus Ayala up. AJs Tres of Paint (Apollitical Jess-A Tres Of Paint) hit the board in 3rd for owner
Julio Contreras & trainer Troy Carter. Rodrigo Vallejo was aboard. The remaining order of finish saw Dreamsville (Hes Relentless-Answer The Dream) in fourth, followed by post-time favorite LS Jacks Back (Corona Cartel-PJ Chick In Black), Sassalitical (Apollitical Jess-Jess Sass Me), Relentless Anywhere (Hes Relentless- Specials Jamie), Pycfastandfamous (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Illegally Famous), Fiery Passage (Walk Thru Fire-Desert Passage) and Sir Vyval (Valiant Hero-Splendifferous).
RACING NEWS
Jet Black Grace’s winning connections include owner Zitro Racing Corp. and trainer Fidencio Jimenez.
Juan Pulido aboard Jet Black Grace in the post parade.
SPEEDHORSE June 2021 143
Myriam Maynard, Speedhorse Myriam Maynard, Speedhorse