Page 194 - December_2023

RACING NEWS
CHASING AJ
by Michael Compton
The supremely talented Chasing AJ is no stranger to top-level competition. The gray 3-year-old gelding just missed winning Grade 1 events over the summer, finishing second in the All American Derby-G1 and third in the Rainbow Derby-G1. Chasing AJ secured that elusive first stakes victory in a stylish fashion on Nov. 18, registering a determined score in the $478,756 Texas Classic Derby-G1 at Lone Star Park.
Ridden by his regular jockey Rodrigo Vallejo, Chasing AJ raced in third position early in the 440-yard fixture. He dueled
the length of the lane with odds-on favorite and fastest qualifier Jess Good Wine and outkicked that rival close to home to prevail by a neck at the finish. Sent off as the second wagering choice, Chasing AJ stopped the timer in :21.453, which earned a 95 speed index.
Owned by Steve Holt, Charles Cox, Jack Powers, and Roger Moore, and trained by Heath Taylor, Chasing AJ is now a winner
192 SPEEDHORSE December 2023
Rodrigo Vallejo and Chasing AJ cross the finish line winning the $478,756 Texas Classic Derby-G1.
Texas Classic Derby-G1
Lone Star Park
$478,756 • 440 yards :21.453 • SI 95
CHASING AJ, ‘20-g.
Bred by: Don Griffin Jr.
Raced to 3 $907,069 15-6(1)-3(2)-3(2)
APOLLITICAL JESS
SI 107
Bred by: Juan Alberto Tirado Lizarraga
Raced to 3 • $1,399,831 14-8(2)-4(2)-0
1,317 f., 134 SW • $65,884,799
MR JESS PERRY SI 113 Bred by: Jesse Perry Raced to 4 • $687,184 21-12(5)-2(1)-0
2,012 f., 166 SW • $61,979,124
APOLLITICAL TIME SI 104
Bred by: Vessels Stallion Farm LLC Raced to 6 • $904,242 35-14(10)-7(2)-5(4)
13 f., 1 SW • $1,538,910
EYE ON THIS CANDY
SI 94
Bred by: Carl C. Pevehouse Raced to 3 • $56,916 15-2-1-4(1)
15 f., 1 SW • $1,425,379
MR EYE OPENER SI 106
Bred by: Joe Kirk Fulton Raced to 3 • $202,978 15-9(2)-1(1)-4(1)
2,030 f., 96 SW • $28,314,145
SEND ME THE CANDY SI 97 Bred by: Carl C. Pevehouse Raced to 3 • $135,976 6-3(1)-1-0
37 f., 4 SW • $1,276,772
Myriam Maynard, Speedhorse