Page 165 - July 2017

Ben E. Keith Stakes
FDP ROCK SOLID
by Michael Cusortelli
FDP Rock Solid rallied to win the $15,000 Ben E. Keith Stakes for Texas-bred sophomores at Retama Park on June 24.
Ridden by Noe Villatoro, FDP Rock Solid broke sixth from the 5-post, reached fifth by the first
call, and was in fourth by the stretch. The gelding finished a neck in front after a late surge in :16.742, earning a career-best 105 speed index. Esteban Rubio prepped the homebred sorrel son of Rock Solid Jess for owner/breeder Sarah Huskey of Dallas, Texas.
FDP Rock Solid has won five of his eight starts, including three of his last four outs. The $9,450 winner’s share of the Ben E. Keith purse boosted his earnings to $187,047.
The gelding is one of five winners from six starters foaled by First Down Payment. The mare has produced two stakes winners, including I Cant See Jack, a half-brother to FDP Rock Solid who won the 2010 Rocky Mountain Futurity-G3 at Arapahoe Park near Denver. Top earner FDP Rock Solid has raced in Texas and Oklahoma. His three stakes
wins include a neck victory in last year’s 440-yard $303,000 Black Gold Futurity Championship-RG3 at Will Rogers Downs and a neck score in the 350- yard $119,822 TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity-RG3 at Retama Park.
DM Mighty La Jolla (Mighty Corona-Mary La Jolla) races for Donna Mushinski. Dale Beaty rode the homebred sorrel gelding for trainer Kie Mushinski.
John Boegner’s Turbo Bok (Boknaai-Streakin N Dancin) ran third. Ricardo Garza-Cruz rode the homebred gelding for trainer Richard Washington.
Thriving Ivory (Ivory James-Shes Dashin First) finished fourth and was followed by Ivory (Ivory James-Jess Celebrating) and RC Money Nuts (Hadtobenuts-Dash With Jody). Tres Seis Fortune was scratched.
Towers of The Americas Handicap
GRAND ILUSION
by Tracy Gantz
Judd Kearl bought Grand Ilusion as a horse in training at Heritage Place earlier this year, took over the gelding’s training, and reached the winner’s circle in their second race together. Following a third in the 2017 Sam Houston Stakes, Grand Illusion won his first stakes in the Towers of The Americas Handicap at Retama Park on June 30.
In last place early under jockey Noe Villatoro in the 550-yard event, Grand Ilusion made up ground quickly late in the race. He pulled away for a 3/4-length victory in :27.439. It was his first try at more than 440 yards and the $9,450 winner’s share of the purse pushed hisearnings to $24,020.
Jerry Windham bred Grand Ilusion in Texas and raced him through last year. Windham consigned the gelding to the 2017 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, and Kearl successfully bid $11,000. Grand Ilusion now competes for Crown Racing.
Jess An Illusion, the dam of Grand Ilusion, has produced nine winners from 11 starters, including stakes winners Mister Big and Seize The Win, plus stakes-placed Jess Zoomin and Jess A Swingin.
JRC Callas First (Winners Award-Calla Missy Jane), the 2014 World Champion, finished second for trainer Brian Stroud, owner of the 7-year-
old gelding with his wife, Dana. Juan Garcia Jr. rode JRC Callas First, whose most recent victory came in last year’s Sam Houston Championship Challenge-G2.
Bar Struck (Corona For Me-Miss Manolo), the 2016 Tower Of The Americas winner, finished third. Nestor Duran rode the 9-year-old horse for trainer Eusevio Huitron and owner Julio Cesar Ramirez.
Completing the field were Count De Monet (Brimmerton-Royal Delphias Chick), Blazin Bok (Boknaai-Darlins Wishes) and He Is The Risingstar (Mr Jess Perry-Meddlin Mischief). Kraken Black and My Moment Of Fame were scratched.
Hill Country Classic
LET EM FLY
by Dillon Hamilton
Let Em Fly started July on the right foot by win- ning his first stakes challenge in the $20,000 Hill Country Classic for three year olds and up who were
nominated and remained eligible at Gillespie County Fairground on July 1.
The 3-year-old sorrel gelding found his stride in the Hill Country Classic in Texas, something he was unable to achieve at other tracks in his two year old season. Let Em Fly broke from the third post posi- tion behind the rest of the field, but rushed to make up the ground under Noe Villatoro. The pair took over easily midway in the stretch then dominated their rivals, crossing the wire 1-length in front. They finished the 440-yard fast track in :21.858, earning a career high 104 speed index.
Let Em Fly deposited the $12,000 winner’s share of the purse, pushing his lifetime total earnings to $18,587. The gelding is owned by Sandra Garnett- Tatom and trained by Esteban Rubio.
Dawn C. Ivey bred Let Em Fly in Oklahoma out of winner/Grade 2 finalist Amight Classy. Let Em Fly is the mare’s only stakes winner out of three starters. Bondurant is her top earner
Kraken Black (First Down Mr Jess- Lajollalastthought) gave an all out effort under Nestor Duran. The 5-year-old sorrel gelding finished second for owner and trainer Santiago Riojas, Jr.
KW Cowboy (Mighty Corona-Tres Dia Noche) had no troubles and ran all out under Juan Garcia, Jr. The 5-year-old bay gelding came in show for owner K & W Land and Cattle Company and trainer Brian Stroud.
Sprinster (FDD Dynasty-Dash Of Perry) finished fourth and was followed by Oh Yeah Jolla (Adrians Jolla-Call Easters Victory) and Jess Rockn (Dejon-NN Rock N Effort). Executive Rule and Six K Laura scratched.
Retama Park • $15,000 330 yards • :16.742 • si 105
Rock Solid Jess FDP ROCK SOLID, ’14-g.
Mr Jess Perry
Rockin The Tetons
Deltas First Dash
First Down Payment
Vital Investment
Retama Park• $15,000 550 yards • :27.439 • si 102
Shazoom GRAND ILUSION, ’12-g.
Jess An Illusion
Takin On The Cash
Keep On Shining
Mr Jess Perry
Indigo Illusion
Gillespie County Fair Grounds • $20,000 440 yards • :21.858 • si 104
Mr Jess Perry
Mighty B Doll Mr Eye Opener
Mighty Invictus
LET EM FLY, ’14-g. Amight Classy
Amight Sassy
SPEEDHORSE, July 2017 163
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography
Coady Photography
BenjaminPartinCaveCreekStudio