Page 155 - July 2017

Mountain Top Futurity-RG3
DADDYS BLUSHING
by Danny Camp
They call it the track on the mountain and the race rightly named was the Mountain Top Futurity-RG3. Held at Ruidoso Downs on June 17, it carried a purse of $392,554.
Leading from gate to wire, it was Daddys Blushing who was the big winner. The fifth fastest qualifier after his 1 1/4-length victory in his June 2 trial heat, the bay gelding stepped away from the 3-post on top in the finals. Regular rider Francisco Calderon knew that, even though he had the lead, he had to over- come the favorites. Calderon never weakened, and neither did Daddys Blushing as they crossed the line 1/2-length in front, stopping the clock at :17.423 for the 350-yards.
The run earned a 97 speed index and a first place check worth $164,873 for a team that includes owner Gary W. Hartstack and trainer Jackie Riddle.
Undefeated from four wins in four tries, Daddys Blushing now boasts a total bankroll of $183,581. The gelding also won the Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes on April 29.
Daddys Blushing was bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms, out of unraced Sandy June Bug. She has produced 13 starters, and Daddys Blushing joins multiple stakes winner Junior June Bug, the top earner of the brood, and additional stakes winner Hedge Fund.
“We bought him in the
sale for $14,000 and he has
been a pleasure to work with,”
said the conditioner. “I’ve
trained for Gary Hartstack
for a hundred years and we
get along good. Daddys
Blushing is a good feeling
horse, he’s good to gallop and
good in the gates. He pulled
up good after the trials, and
when I got him out of his stall
the day of the finals, he was
sittin’ on tilt. I had a feeling we were gonna win.
“We won this same race five years ago with a half-brother to Daddys Blushing named Junior June Bug,” she added
When asked what’s next, Riddle said, “We are pointing him towards the Zia Futurity.”
Leon Bard is also on team Daddys Blushing. He broke the gelding and started him twice in Houston, winning both races, including the Sam Houston Juvenile. “This horse is a natural born runner,” Bard said. “He’s never done anything wrong in his whole life. He’s not the best looking horse in the world, but he’s sound and he tries his heart out. He ran second in his first schooling race and won his next.
“Francisco Calderon has ridden for me for about five years and he does a great job,” Bard continued. “He will ride the hair off one and there is no quit in him. We are all looking forward to the Zia.”
Flash Moonfire (First Moonflash-Required Fire) was the fastest qualifier going into the finals and finished second with a solid finish for owner David G.
Valdez and trainer Juan Esquivel. Oscar Cordova was in the irons.
Bigg Daddy (Big Daddy Cartel-Alice K White) ran his fastest time ever to collect the third place check for his connections that include owner Too For Two and trainer Wesley Giles. Adrian Ramos was handling the reins.
A Passion For Flashn (First Moonflash- Subtly Sixy), Frankie James (Jesse James Jr-Fabulous Form), Tempting Star Gazer (First Moonflash-Most Tempting), Flashy Tres (First Moonflash-Sissys Tres Girl), Franngelico (Jesse James Jr-Tangled Vines), Jessa Diva (Jesse James Jr-Leading Diva) and Mr Flash The Moolah (First Moonflash-Chicks Chamisa) completed the order of finish.
Ruidoso Downs $392,554 • 350 yards :17.423 • si 97
Corona Cartel
Big Daddy Cartel
Miss Racy Eyes
DADDYS BLUSHING, ’15-g.
Blushing Bug
Sandy June Bug
Sandys Fame
Daddys Blushing & Francisco Calderon go wire-to-wire in the $392,554 Mountain Top Futurity-RG3
SPEEDHORSE, July 2017 153
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography