Page 131 - December 2016

Evangeline Downs Futurity
EYE N CAPO
by Michael Cusortelli
Eye N Capo kept his perfect record intact with a wire-to-wire victory in the $306,245 Evangeline Downs Futurity on Dec. 17.
Ridden by Damian Martinez and sent
to post as the 3-10 favorite in the field of
nine, Eye N Capo covered 400 yards in :19.962, good for a 90 speed index against a reported 12-mph head wind, and his margin of victory was 1/2-length from 23-1 longshot Accountably. Adrian Huitron saddled Eye N Capo for owner Ruben Garcia Montemayor of Roma, Texas.
Martinez, who has ridden the sorrel gelding in all of his races, said that he felt Accountably gain late ground to his inside, but he added that his mount responded when asked.
“My horse just took off late,” the rider said. “He just gained more speed halfway down the track.
“He runs the same all the time,” Martinez added. “He’s for real. He’s one of a kind.”
An $8,500 buy at the 2015 Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City, Eye N Capo has won all four of his outs while competing in Texas and Louisiana, and the $153,122 winner’s share of the Evangeline Downs Futurity purse bumped his earnings to $312,668. The gelding set the second-fastest qualifying time with his 1
1/4-length victory in his trial on Nov. 25.
Eye N Capo’s resume
includes a 1-length victory
as the fastest qualifier in the
400-yard Dash For Cash
Futurity-G2 at Lone Star Park on Oct. 8, his second official start. Huitron indicated that the gelding would be given a break from racing before starting back up again in the spring.
“We’ll probably head with him to Oklahoma and point him toward the big graded derbies at Remington Park,” said Huitron, who in mid-December ranked fourth nationally in races won with 67 behind only Judd Kearl, Paul Jones, and Kenny Roberts; and 12th in starter earnings earned at $1,325,539. “I’m also thinking we might come back to Evangeline next fall and try
to get the sweep (of the Evangeline Downs Futurity and Derby).”
“This was a nice way to end the year, and it was a good Christmas present for the whole family and the whole team,” he added.
Accountably (American Runaway-Check The Account), a $6,500 purchase at the 2015 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, finished second. Yordanis Amaro rode the gray gelding
for owner Claudio Gonzalez and trainer Carlos Saldivar. The gelding won the July 30 Speedhorse Futurity-G3 at Fair Meadows at Tulsa.
Eye N Capo was bred by Dee and Betty Raper of Norman, Oklahoma,
owners of Belle Mere Farm near their home- town. Eye N Capo is one of two winners from as many starters foaled by winner Satisfeyen. The gelding traces back to his third dam, Wind Director who was multiple stakes placed in New Mexico from 1985-86.
One Sweet Picky (One Sweet Jess-Sticky
N Picky) ran third for owner Ricardo Barrera. Luis Vivanco rode the graded stakes placed bay filly for trainer Rodolfo Sanchez.
Dash Quick Perry (Down N Dash- Quickid Perry) ran fourth and was followed by Platinum FDD (First Down Dash-Eyesa Jumpn) and PYC Disco (Pyc Paint Your Wagon-Check This Disco), who finished
in a dead heat for fifth, Gronkowski (Walk Thru Fire-Babe On The Fly), Main Seis (Tres Seis-Arethas Main Feature) and Jess Kicked
A Gear (One Sweet Jess-Quiet Courage) completed the order of finish. Fastest qualifier Maxx was scratched.
Evangeline Downs $306,246 • 400 yards :19.962 • si 90
Corona Cartel
Capo De Capi
A Shot At Glory
EYE N CAPO, ’14-g.
Mr Eye Opener
Satisfyen
Miss Windy Bull
Eyen N Capo & Damian Martinez lead at every call to win the $306,245 Evangeline Downs Futurity
SPEEDHORSE, December 2016 129
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography