Page 45 - February 2017

The Championship at Sunland Park-G1
Houston Classic Stakes-G2, Jessies First Down got his revenge on Fly Thru The Fire, handing him a half-length defeat.
At Ruidoso Downs, Jessies First Down tuned up for the All American Gold Cup-G1 with a two-length triumph in an allowance race. He went up against the consistent Zoomin Effortlessly in the Gold Cup, losing to that rival by a length. But, he would ultimately get his revenge.
Before meeting Zoomin Effortlessly again, Jessies First Down traveled to Lone Star Park for the Refrigerator Handicap-G1. As the overwhelming 3-5 favorite, he scored by 1 1/2-lengths.
Zoomin Effortlessly headed for the Zia Park Championship -G1 having finished first in all five of his 2016 starts. Abrams turned to Kearl with a special request for that race, that assistant trainer Jimmy Padgett travel to Zia Park.
“I told Judd, ‘Jimmy’s got to come because he’s my lucky charm,’ and so Jimmy got on
an airplane knowing he was going to get air sickness,” said Abrams. “He flew all the way to
Zia Park Championship-G1
Hobbs with his head stuck in a plastic bag, and we won the race.”
Maybe it was Abrams’ lucky charm, but Jessies First Down not only won, he did it with a less-than-perfect trip.
“He got banged around pretty good,” said Kearl. “About 100 yards away, he broke loose and just ran a super race.”
Zoomin Effortlessly took one final run at Jessies First Down, as the two met again in The Championship at Sunland Park-G1 on Dec. 31. Despite his Zia Park effort, Jessies First Down went off as the second choice to 2-5 Zoomin Effortlessly. But, Jessies First Down and jockey Rodrigo Vallejo defeated the favorite by a nose in a driving finish.
Abrams credited Kearl’s team and Vallejo, saying, “They’ve done all this work. Nancy and I have gone along for the ride, and what a ride it’s been.”
As for Jessies First Down, as a gelding, he could have more seasons to shine.
Refrigerator Handicap-G1
“ “W
Sam Houston Classic Handicap-G2
Miami-Dade County Stakes
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” said Abrams. “When he doesn’t, he can eat grass
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the rest of his life.”
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SPEEDHORSE, February 2017 43
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