Page 57 - 12 October 2012

New Mexico state Fair Breeders’ derby-rG3
My BIG CHIeF
by Michael Compton
despite entering the New Mexico State Fair Breeders’ Derby-RG3 as the fastest quali- fier, My Big Chief was sent off as the second
choice in the wagering for the $68,603 main event behind the horse he beat in the trial, PK Bay. At the conclusion of the 400-yard feature on Sept. 23 at The Downs at Albuquerque, however, My Big Chief left little doubt who ruled the day.
Piloted by Adrian Ramos, My Big Chief broke in fifth position but quickly discov- ered his best stride and shot to the lead following a few strides. He took control of the race and simply bounded clear late to defeat PK Bay by 1 1/2 lengths. His final time of :19.286 just missed FM Silver Mist’s track record of :19.255 set in 2011.
Gerardo Cano saddled the winner for his brother
Lorenzo Cano. It was the first stakes victory for My Big Chief, who now boasts earn-
ings of $90,789. Earlier this year, the sorrel 3-year-old gelding, bred in New Mexico by Chad McCallum, finished third in the New Mexico HBA Stakes-RG2 at Sunland Park. All told, he has won five of 12 races and placed in four others.
My Big Chief is produced from the Major Rime mare Majorly Easy, who
was winless in four career starts. She is the dam of one other foal of racing age, A Major Blaze, eighth in the 2010 Mile High Derby-G3 and an earner of $39,409.
PK Bay (Brookstone Bay-PK Rainbow) offered
a game chase to secure the runner-up spot under Larry Gamez for trainer Fred Danley and owners David Barrett and Sue May. PK Bay
led throughout the Sept. 9 trial after veering
in at the start before losing a nose decision
to My Big Chief. PK Bay previously won the Gwendolyn Eaves Stakes and was second in the $248,491 New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2 and the New Mexico Classic Futurity.
Lttle Lighting broke in slightly at the start and finished third under Jorge Bourdieu for the same connections as the winner. This was Lttle Lighting’s fourth stakes appearance, and his first stakes placing.
Completing the order of finish behind
the top there were Cats Paw Boy (Brookstone Bay-Bidders Bluff), Osbaldo (Jesse James Jr-Shes So Blazin), Sparklin Royal (Sixes Royal-Sparkling Ojos), Two Bit Corona (Corona Caliente-Two Bit Fly), David Forever Brookstone Bay-Forever Rare), and Gotta Get Two (Celadon-Chicory Glass).
The Downs at Albuquerque $68,603 • 400 yards :19.286 • si 103
Mr Jess Perry
Get Down Perry
Royal Down Dash
MY BIG CHIEF, ’09-g.
Major Rime
Majorly Easy
Real Easy Choice
racing news
John deere will rogers Juvenile Challenge-G3
BraCe For BerNal
by Tracy Gantz
Brace For Bernal wasn’t the longest shot
in the Sept. 30 John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge-G3. That designation went
to Zoom In On Me at nearly 33-1. But Brace For Bernal came close, going off at 30-1 as the 10th-fastest qualifier. It didn’t stop him from becoming a stakes winner, as he defeated 4-5 favorite River Wind.
From post six, Paul Nieto broke Brace For Bernal well, and they
quickly took over the lead.
River Wind on the rail drew
even with Brace For Bernal as they approached the wire. But in the last two strides, Brace For Bernal proved best, winning by three-quarters
of a length in :17.603 for the 350 yards. With the victory, he earned a berth in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship-G2 on Oct. 27 at Prairie Meadows.
Luis Villafranco, who won the Pot O
Gold Paint Futurity-G1 at Will Rogers the
day before with Imachickenkicker, trains Brace For Bernal for owner Noel Lopez
Prieto. After three initial losses, the colt improved considerably once he began compet- ing at 350 yards. He broke his maiden at Fair Meadows and then ran second in the Cherokee Nation Stakes before finishing fourth in his
Juvenile Challenge trial. Joaquin Lopez bred Brace
For Bernal in Oklahoma from winning Zoom Bracer, an earner of $53,953. Brace For Bernal is the mare’s first foal.
Joe Williams’ homebred River Wind (Furyofthewind- Dream Diva) finished second for jockey Alex Baldillez Jr. and trainer Mollie Devereaux. The gelding debuted with
a third at Remington Park, broke his maiden at Fair
Meadows, and then won his Challenge trial as the fastest qualifier.
Toast To Ana (Jess Louisiana Blue-Toast To Kate), a homebred for Paul Newmaster,
ran third. G.R. Carter Jr. rode the filly for trainer Rodney Reed. Toast To Ana had a second a two thirds to her credit going into the Challenge final.
Rounding out the field in the John
Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge were Chew Chew Showtime (Royal Blue Chew Chew-Color Tip), One Famous Eaglette (One Famous Eagle-Fontana Beaujolais), Sheza Runaway Chick (A Regal Choice- Winning Blast), Barinasaloon (Corona For Me-Oh Whatta Knockout), Zoom In On Me (Shazoom-Sams First Girl), Bigtime Bentley (Bigtime Favorite-Jess Effortless), and Hiclass Fly (Fly Jess Fly-Hiclass Bling).
SPEEDHORSE, October 12, 2012 55
Will Rogers Downs $37,261 • 350 yards :17.603 • si 96
Corona Cartel
Furyofthewind
Dashing Phoebe
BRACE FOR BERNAL, ’10-c.
Shazoom
Zoom Bracer
Sun Bracer
kellie Johnston: Coady Photography Tommie Morelos: Coady Photography