Page 216 - January 2018

Champion of Champions Classic
JESS LA JOLLA BLUE
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Eduardo Silveyra
Already a traditional at the Hipódromo de Las Américas, this riveting classic was part of the seasonal closing functions held on Dec. 17. Two trials were run three weeks prior to the finals where 18 runners three years and older participated. Chics Love Curls was the fastest qualifier with a time of :21.424 for the 440 yards. The race had a purse of $919,400 pesos (approx. $48,085 US).
A well-formed group, where the record of Chics Love Curls’ performance in the tri-
als along with his starting position at gate-9, placed him as a favorite of the fans. From the 10 qualifiers, Master Time Dancer from Cuadra El Cuartel was scratched, leaving nine runners.
At the start, Beer Wagon (#5) was bumped twice on both flanks, while RG Golden King (#2) was not released in time by his handler for his initial jump and was bumped on his left by Big Time (#3). During this time, Chics Love Curls (#9) drifted out and Jess La Jolla Blue (#8) took advantage of her position, but felt the pressure from Exquisite Stride (#7). Finally, these two put themselves at the head of the group, with Jess La Jolla Blue 1/2-length in front of Exquisite Stride at the wire. José Ángel Ambrosio Medina was responsible for leading the winner to victory. Chics Love Curls was third.
Jess La Jolla Blue is a four-year-old sorrel colt bred by Jumonville Farms in the United States. The colt is by Jess Louisiana Blue and out of Tobrendawithlove (by Call Me Together)
and was imported by Arturo Olvera Bernal for his Cuadra Zamarrero that is based in the State of Morelos. Jess La Jolla Blue has won five of his 19 starts on the track, this being his first classic. His first victory was on June 11 of this year, and he went on to win his next three races.
Undoubtedly, this was
a great year for the sorrel
colt who is trained by Javier
Barradas Aguilar and who
was saddled by Ramón Guerrero Trejo. Jess La Jolla Blue credited this most important race
for Quarter Horses three years and older, and reported a nice payment to those who entrusted him with his odds of 33.20 to 1.
After reviewing the actions on the track,
the stewards disqualified Beer Wagon and sent him from fourth to fifth for the infractions he committed.
After the race, Arturo Olvera, owner of Cuadra Zamarrero, said to Speedhorse, “Jess La Jolla Blue showcased his class and gave us the great joy of winning this prestigious classic with a 104 speed index at 440 yards, mounted by his excellent rider José Ángel Ambrosio.
“We thank all our friends for their sup-
port and our congratulations and gratitude to
the members of the Cuadra Zamarrero team for hav-
ing done an excellent job throughout the year with this colt and all the other horses and mares that we have: Javier Barradas Aguilar; veterinarian Oscar Ornelas, Equine Sports Medicine Specialist; veteri- narian Guillermo González, Equine Reproduction Specialist; Hugo Estrada, responsible for shoeing our horses; and of course to José
Ángel Ambrosio and the grooms, gallopers, and to each and every one involved. “
The colt Exquisite Stride (Carters Cartel - Tinys Lil Jess) finished second for Cuadra Cartas Blancas under Antonio Aguiñaga for trainer Leonilo Cruz García.
Chics Love Curls (Spit Curl Jess-First Prize Chic) was third under Paul Osvaldo Rodríguez García for owner Cuadra Díaz de León and trainer Epifanio Carrasco Sandoval.
Grande Tiempo (Bigtime Favorite– Power Edge), Beer Wagon (Carters Cartel– Fredaville), Jess She Thinks (One Sweet Jess–She Thinks), Litely Political (Apollitical Jess–Strobe Lite), Tessta Rossa (Azoom– Remember Me Rose) and RG Golden King (Stel Corona–Damoney) completed the field.
Hipodromo de las Americas $48,085 • 440 yards :21.46 • si 104
Mr Jess Perry
Jess Louisiana Blue
The Louisiana Girl
JESS LA JOLLA BLUE, ‘13-c.
Call Me Together
Tobrendawithlove
Brenda Feature
Jess La Jolla Blue wins the Champion of Champions Classic.
214 SPEEDHORSE, January 2018
RACING NEWS
Miguel A. Espinoza, Hipodromo de las Americas