Page 44 - February 2017

JESSIES FIRST DOWN si 112, $582,107
World Champion, Aged Champion, Champion Aged Gelding
First Down Dash
FDD Dynasty
Dash For Cash
First Prize Rose
Rocket Wrangler Find A Buyer TB Gallant Jet Rose Bug Beduino TB Little Smoothie On A High Sharper Image
Rocket Bar TB Go Galla Go To Market Hide And Seek Jet Deck
Leo Jewel
Lady Bug’s Moon Casco Rose Romany Royal Jo-Ann-Cat Smooth Move Marilyn Mae Dash For Cash Yankee Doll TB Easy Jet
Miss Killoqua
Easy Six
Miss Assured
Raise Your Glass TB La Jolla
Three Oh’s Vansarita Too Scooper Chick
La Ferne
Dash For Cash
First Prize Rose Dusty Canyon TB Like Grandma
Top Moon
Twayna
Ashment
Civic Center
Three Bars Golden Rocket Go Man Go
La Galla Win Market Wise Pretty Does Alibhai Scattered
Moon Deck Miss Night Bar Leo
Linda Jewel
Top Moon
FL Lady Bug Levan
Prissy Hankins Grey Sovereign Romany Belle Rejected
Quick Eye Rocket Bar TB Lady Wayward Moon Deck Ricketta
Rocket Wrangler Find A Buyer TB Mito Paint Crafty Yankee Jet Deck
Lena’s Bar TB Killoqua TB Beggar Vanet
Easy Jet
Peggy Toro
Little Request TB Assured
Raise A Native Champagne Woman
St Bar
Top Pretty TB
Three Chicks OhMyOh
Vandy Garrettsmisspawhuska Triple Chick
Scoop Bam Quicksilver King
Nikita
Rocket Wrangler
Find A Buyer TB Gallant Jet
Rose Bud
Fleet Nasrullah
Miz Danielle
David Cox
Kumi
Moon Deck
Rica Bar
Rebel Cause
Yeager’s Lady JA Ettabo
Blondy Rockette Midway Mayor TB
Tiny Bud
Tolltac Dinastia Toll BRZ
Phillips Filly
JESSIES FIRST DOWN, ’11, G.
Streakin Six
Mr Jess Perry
Jess A Classy Lassy
Streakin La Jolla
Scoopie Fein
Bottom’s Up
Sinn Fein
Legs La Scoop First Down Dash Classic Canyon Casady Casanova Miss Mighty Mary
A Classic Dash Mighty Classy Lassy
Miss Mighty Casady
Breeder/Owner: Ted G. Abrams
Trainer: Judd S. Kearl
Jockeys: Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo, Jose Alvarez, Cody Jensen
2016 Record: 11-8(5)-3(3)-0, $430,042,
The Championship at Sunland Park-G1, Zia Park Champ.-G1, Refrigerator H.-G1, Sam Houston Cl. H.-G2, Miami-Dade Cnty. S., 2nd All American Gold Cup-G1, Sam Houston Champ. Chal.-G2, City of Hialeah S.
When Ted Abrams accepted the award for Jessies First Down as the 2016 World Champion, he spent nearly all of his time thanking others, especially trainer Judd Kearl and his team.
“I don’t think anybody in the business could have more work ethic than Judd’s got,” said Abrams. “You go to any of his facilities, there are always people working very hard and diligently.”
The team’s efforts not only earned Kearl the title of Champion Trainer, it resulted in a fabulous year for Jessies First Down, who also snagged trophies as Aged Champion and Champion Aged Gelding. Jessies First Down won eight of 11 races during the year, finishing second the other three times, and earned $430,042.
“The year was a phenomenal year—I don’t know how you could ever repeat it,” said Abrams. “We’ve had a great time with him this year. As the year went on, the horse just kept getting better and better.”
Abrams also paid tribute to his wife, Nancy, at the awards ceremony.
“First I’ve got to thank God for all his blessings—He’s given me the fastest horse in the world and the prettiest wife in the world,” Abrams said.
Abrams bred Jessies First Down in Texas from his homebred mare Jess A Classy Lassy. The breeder has had the family for a long time, having raced the second dam, Grade 1-placed Mighty Classy Lassy.
Jessies First Down lost all three of his starts at 2 in 2013.
“As a 2 year old, he had a hard time getting away from the gate,” said Kearl. “He broke his maiden in the (2015) Hialeah Maturity.”
Jessies First Down blossomed in 2016. He began the season with three starts at Hialeah, where he won the Miami-Dade County Stakes and an allowance race and finished second in the City of Hialeah Stakes. Kearl also trained the City of Hialeah winner, Fly Thru The Fire.
At Sam Houston, Jessies First Down also started three times, coming away with a similar record of two wins and a second. In the Sam
Jessies First Down’s owner Ted Abrams with wife Nancy, daughter Heather, trainer Judd Kearl, assistant trainer Jimmy Padgett and jockey Rodrigo Vallejo
42 SPEEDHORSE, February 2017