Page 221 - September 2018

Mile High Derby
WALCOTT
by Michael Cusortelli
Walcott scored his first stakes win in the $65,235 Mile High Derby at Arapahoe Park on August 12.
Ridden by Mauro Salcedo and racing against a reported 10-mph head wind, Walcott led at every call and finished strong, going 400 yards in :19.909, earning a 93 speed index. His margin of victory was a 1/2-length in front of ninth-fastest qualifier Captain Force.
Alejandro Chavez trained the Oklahoma- bred gelding for owner Pedro Gutierrez Marquez of Albuquerque.
Walcott made his local debut with a 1/2-length victory as the 2-5 favorite in one of four Mile High Derby trials on July 27.
Campaigned in Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, Walcott has won three of seven starts, and the $26,094 winner’s share of the Mile High Derby purse pushed his bankroll to $41,229, of which $36,169 has been earned this year.
His race record includes a fourth-place finish, 1 1/2-lengths behind winner Mi Amor Secreto, in the 400-yard, $68,000 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge on June 30.
The gelding was bred by Lyle Guillory and he is one of four winners from seven starters produced by Jess Maganette. The mare was second in the 2007 Scott Lewis Handicap
and La Palma Overnight Handicap and was also a finalist in champion Leading Spirit’s 2005 Rainbow Futurity-G1 at Ruidoso Downs as well as the 2006 Ruidoso Derby-G1.
Walcott is a half-brother
to Cartel Madam, the
runner-up in the 2012 Pot O’
Gold Futurity at Sun Downs
and Jess Sara, finalist in the
2013 Grade 1 Southwest
Juvenile Championship at Zia Park. Walcott is Jess Maganette’s first stakes winner.
The gelding traces back to his third dam, Meganette, a daughter of two-time World Champion Dash For Cash who won the 1983 Rainbow Futurity-G1 and the 1985 Rainbow Silver Cup-G1, both at Ruidoso Downs.
Captain Force (Captain Courage-Deelish) was trained by Hipolito Michel-Valverde
for owner Pedro Andazola, who acquired
the sorrel Kentucky-bred colt for $10,000
at the 2016 Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City.
Edwuin Lujan rode Captain Force, who was second in his July 27 trial heat to qualify him to this final.
Arapahoe Park’s leading Quarter Horse trainer with 12 wins from 52 starters during the meet, Michel-Valverde qualified three Mile High Derby finalists, including third fastest qualifier Shine Your Wagon (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Shine N Shake), who drifted out early and finished third. Roberto Valero rode the stakes-placed gelding for owner Margarito Montalvo.
Shine Your Wagon was coming off a win in his July 27 trial heat to this final.
E S Keepingthedream (Jesse James Jr-Tex Can), Fantastic Minion (Fantastic Corona Jr-Gigarad), Ramble It On (Ima Ramblin On-Make It Special), DG Tempter (Tempting Dash-DG Miss Daisy), Heza Poppin Dynasty (FDD Dynasty-Sheza Dashin Lil Pop) and Dee Favorite Girl (Favorite Cartel-Eyema Blues Girl) completed the order of finish. Fourth- fastest qualifier TF Carters Pick was scratched.
The Mile High Derby has a rich history, as it was first contested in 1950 as the Columbine Derby at Kremmling, Colorado. Past win- ners include World Champions Mr Bar None (1958), Jet Deck (1963), and Easy Jet (1970).
Arapahoe Park $65,235 • 400 yards :19.909 • si 93
Corona Cartel
Tee Cos
Do It To It Reb
WALCOTT, ‘15-g.
Mr Jess Perry
Jess Maganette
Special Meganette
Walcott and jockey Mauro Salcedo win the $65,235 Mile High Derby
SPEEDHORSE, September 2018 219
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography