Page 132 - December 2016

LQHBA Breeders’ Derby
JET BLACK ROGUE
by John Moorehouse
Jet Black Rogue became a stakes winner
for the first time in her 12th career out when she triumphed in the $257,788 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby at Evangeline Downs on Nov. 19.
On paper, that would seem like some sort of career validation for the three year old, but according to Michael Taylor, this filly was a top competitor long before that.
“If you look back, she validated herself every trip,” said Taylor, who does double duty as owner and trainer. “She didn’t run in any cheap races or any maiden races. Every time she left the gates, she was running against
the best.
“In my mind, she validated herself the first time she went out on the track. She’s always right there with the big dogs.”
Taylor said he thought the filly “would run big” in the derby and she did just that, making a solid break from the outside
of the nine-horse field, running a strong second at the first call and making a driv- ing finish to secure the lead to win by a 1/2-length margin.
Joe Badilla, Jr., rode Jet Black Rogue to victory in :19.509, with the 400-yard journey registering a 103 speed index and bringing home a $117,657 prize that increased the filly’s bankroll to $417,101.
“My expectations going into this race, I thought she’d run really big and I thought she had a tremendous chance to win,” Taylor said. “I have ultimate respect for all the other horses in the race.
“The crew we have at the ranch is phenom- enal,” Taylor added. “They spend a lot of extra time, extra hours working on them.”
Jet Black Rogue placed second in last year’s LQHBA Breeders’ Futurity-RG1.
Triple M Farms, LLC bred Jess Black Rogue and owns her dam, Miss Jess Rogue. She is a stakes winner herself with a vic-
tory in the 2005 Zia Juvenile Invitational at Ruidoso. To date, she has produced 21 foals of which 15 made starts. Her brood includes East Hi-Point 3-Year-Old Colt/East Hi-Point Aged Stallion/multiple stakes winner Heza Fast Rogue, multiple stakes winner Jess A Rogue and stakes winners Zoomin Jr and Game Gone Rogue. Jet Black Rogue is her top earner.
“She’s bred impeccably,” Taylor said of Jess Black Rogue. “If you look at her mother, what she’s produced, it’s phenomenal.
“She’s got size, scope, tremendous conformation ... we’re pretty proud of this mare. She’s gave us all she has every trip.”
Taylor’s son, Heath Taylor, picked out Jess Black Rogue at the 2014 LQHBA Yearling Sale.
Concluding her 2016 season at Champions Day at Fair Grounds in New Orleans is a possibility.
“What we’ll do now is evaluate how she comes back. We went over her with a fine- toothed comb on Monday,” Taylor said.
“We’re looking for any holes or possibilities, but right now we’re looking at, though not cast in stone, running her at Champions Day. She’s going to tell us. We’re not going to tell her she has to run.”
Cute Mic Jagger (Oak Tree Special-Shannons Fame) finished second for owner Jagger Horse Racing and trainer Miguel Rodriguez. Raul
Ramirez, Jr. was in the irons. Cute Mic Jagger finished third in his Oct. 29 trial to the finals for the seventh fastest qualify- ing time.
Jessa Louisiana Zoom (Jess Louisiana Blue-Zoomin For Cash) took third place under Donald Watson for owner Bobby Cox and trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. The filly finished second in her trial heat to the finals to
qualify third. Jessa Louisiana Zoom won the Treme Derby-G3 on Aug. 16.
Telarosa (Jet Black Patriot-Presumptuous TB) finished fourth and was followed by Perrys Jumpn Beduino (Jumpn-Perry Five), First Corona Down (Coronas Leaving You- Bammies Jewel), Jess Blue Intriguing (Jess Louisiana Blue-Call Me Intriguing), Jess Blueby Lena (Jess Louisiana Blue-Call Me Lenas Girl) and Gone Cartel (Coronas Leaving You-Ms Big Dashin Now).
Evangeline Downs $257,788 • 400 yards :19.509 • si 103
Game Patriot
Jet Black Patriot
First Down Hemp
JET BLACK ROGUE, ‘13-f.
Mr Jess Perry
Miss Jess Rogue
Easily A Rogue
130 SPEEDHORSE, December 2016
Jet Black Rogue & Joe Badilla Jr. win the $257,788 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby
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Coady Photography