Page 136 - December 2016

Evangeline Downs Derby
IVAN JAMES
by John Moorehouse
Making the final start of his career, Ivan James won the $156,780 Evangeline Downs Derby on Dec. 17.
Ivan James left little doubt in his racing finale. He broke well from the 2-hole and opened up a 1/2-length lead by the time he reached the first call. The colt continued to lead by that same margin at each remaining juncture, finishing his 400-
yard trip in :19.825, posting a 94 speed index while running against a 12 mph head wind.
Jose Sanchez trains Ivan James, who had Raul Ramirez, Jr. in the irons.
Ivan James now has three stakes wins and six overall victories in just 10 outs, and a bankroll of $481,027 with the addition of the $78,390 prize from his competitive finale. Not bad for just two years of competition.
Ivan James also won last year’s Sam Houston Futurity-G2, and finished first
in the Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs
this summer. The colt closed his career on
a three-race win streak, including a sharp performance in the Oct. 26 Evangeline Downs Derby trials that made him the top qualifier as well as the post-time favorite.
Homebred by Jorge Meraz, Ivan James is the top earner out of 5-time stakes winner/ New Track Record setter First Dashin Bye, who Meraz also homebred. She has produced 100% money earners from seven starters, including stakes winner First Dashin Perry, who set a New Track Record at Evangeline Downs for 300 yards, and stakes winner of The Golden Bowl.
Ivan James will move out to stud and will begin his
stallion career in 2017 at Delta Equine Center in Vinton, La.
Jess Bein The Hero (Valiant Hero-Jess Braggin) finished second under Joe Badilla, Jr. for owner Juan F. Martinez-Labastida and trainer Miguel Rodriguez.
Bloomer Ride (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Ja Fantasy finished in third place under Rodrigo Vallejo for owner Francisco Vega and trainer Trey Ellis.
Politically Corrupt (Apollitical Jess- Adorable Deer), Dynamite 123 (FDD Dynasty-Tresor 123), Octonaut (First Down Dash-Trick And Fun TB), Dash Dont Cheat (Down N Dash-Special Cheat), Motorboatin (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Trio Gal TB), Zoominforgrady (Zoomin For Bux-Supers First Jewel) and TF Little Bit Rowdy (Mr Jess Perry-Got A Project) completed the field.
Evangeline Downs $156,780 • 400 yards :19.825 • si 94
Corona Cartel
Ivory James
Dashin Follies
IVAN JAMES, ‘13-c.
Dashin Bye
First Dashin Bye
Fast N Smooth 880
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