Page 179 - Speedhorse August 2018

Governor’s Cup Futurity-RG2
POWERFUL FAVORITE
by Tracy Gantz
Connie Rosenthal bought Powerful Favorite for her husband, Bob, who sadly never got to see the gelding race. Bob died March 5 of
cancer at age 82, and Powerful Favorite made his first start on April 29.
Thus, when Powerful Favorite captured the $375,000 Governor’s Cup Futurity-RG2 at Los Alamitos on July 28, it was especially poignant.
“I just wish my husband, Bob, would have been here,” said an emotional Connie. “It would have been so important for him. This was his dream. The tears are for Bob. This was all for him.”
Jockey Eduardo Nicasio and trainer Christopher O’Dell teamed up to win the Derby with Powerful Favorite for Rosenthal Ranch LLC. Nicasio knew that the gelding could get a trifle nervous in the starting gate, and the jockey noticed that he got “a little washy” before the final. That didn’t keep Powerful Favorite from blasting out of the gate on the lead, despite some bumping at the start. Powerful Favorite remained in front through- out the 350 yards to win by a neck in :17.564.
Powerful Favorite broke his maiden in his initial outing and then qualified for the Ed Burke Million Futurity-G1 with a second in his trial. He
finished seventh in the Burke final and second by a nose in his July 14 Governor’s Cup trial to qualify.
The Rosenthals have owned and bred Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds for more than 30 years. When Bob saw Powerful Favorite cataloged in the 2017 Los Alamitos Equine Sale, he was tempted, but felt the young- ster would cost too much.
“He wanted the horse,”
said Connie. “He was just hesitant. He was a very thrifty, wise man, so I thought why not and let’s go for broke. It was a lucky day for us.”
Powerful Favorite cost $90,000.
“Connie raised her hand and bought this horse,” said O’Dell. “It was all her. She raised her hand and then paid some good money for him.” Connie only regretted that Bob didn’t live to see Powerful Favorite win the Governor’s Cup.
“This is the most exciting thing to happen to us in 40 years in racing,” she said. “I just wish he could have been here to enjoy it.”
James Markum and Dr. Steve Burns bred Powerful Favorite out of multiple stakes winner Remember Me Rose. The mare has pro- duced 100% money earners from 13 starters, includ-
ing Mexican stakes winner Tessta Rossa.
O’Dell also saddled second- place Favorite Wise Lady (Favorite Cartel-Another Wise Lady). Cody Jensen rode the filly for owner/breeder Parsons
Ranch. Burns’ homebred You Caught My Eye (Favorite Cartel-Hawk Kue Pie) made it a Trifecta for the stallion Favorite Cartel. Ramon Sanchez rode the filly for trainer Mike Casselman.
Jess Bein Me (Jess Being Valiant-Merry Corona) finished fourth, but was disquali- fied to 10th for interference. Completing the field were Hot Little Kiddy (Kiddy Up-Girls Choice), Striver (Foose-Motherless), Parsons Rocket (Parsons Rock-Terrific Energy),
Anas Image (Hawkinson-City Image), Provodnikov (Favorite Cartel-Separate Tac), and Tac Me Up (Kiddy Up-Tacatrina).
Los Alamitos $375,000 • 350 yards :17.564 • si 95
Favorite Trick TB
Favorite Cartel
Shenoshercorona
POWERFUL FAVORITE, ‘16-g.
Corona Cartel
Remember Me Rose
Im Moonlighting
Powerful Favorite (#8) & Eduardo Nicasio receive every call winning the $375,000 Governor’s Cup Futurity-RG2
SPEEDHORSE, August 2018 177
RACING NEWS
Los Alamitos