Page 132 - May 2017

Bank of America Sam Houston Championship Challenge-G2
JESSIES FIRST DOWN
by John Moorehouse
World Champion Jessies First Down not only won the Bank Of America Texas Challenge Championship-G2 at Sam Houston Race Park on April 22, but he set a New Track Record while he was at it.
A strong driving finish secured the latest victory for Jessies First Down, who was run- ning a close second at the first call and moved into first place by a head as he
entered the stretch. The gelding
reached the finish line first by
a neck with jockey Rodrigo
Vallejo in the irons.
Benefiting from a 16mph tailwind, Jessies First Down completed the 440-yard trip in :21.214 for a 109 speed index.
This win secured a $47,527 payday for Ted G. Abrams, who home-bred Jessies First Down and his dam, winner Jess A Classy Lassy. The mare has produced 100% money earners from five starters. Jessies First
Sam Houston Derby-G3
SO RAPIDO
by Michael Cusortelli
So Rapido scored his first stakes victory in the Sam Houston Derby-G3 on April 29. The colt broke even from the 6-gate and gained to second at the first call. So Rapido dueled through the stretch and proved best, covering the 350 yards in :17.445 to earn a career best 98 speed index while racing against a reported 15 mph head wind. Rodrigo Vallejo was in the saddle for owner Rachuan Suarez. Campaigned exclusively
in Texas, So Rapido has won three of five starts. The $79,080 winner’s share of the purse pushed his bank- roll to $110,455.
So Rapido has won both of his starts this season, includ- ing a wire-to-wire run in his April 14 Sam Houston Derby trial, and he ended his 2 year old campaign as a finalist
in the 2016 Texas Classic Futurity-G1 at Lone Star Park.
Down is her only stakes winner. The gelding now has a career bankroll totaling $632,034.
Jessies First Down is trained by Judd Kearl. The six-year-old gelding reached the winner’s circle for the 12th time in 29 starts, and this marked his seventh victory in stakes company. Jessies First Down had eight wins, including five stakes, last year to be named
2016 World Champion. “I told Ted that by not going into the final as the
fastest qualifier that maybe we could turn the tables,” Kearl told a reporter in an interview conducted from the winner’s circle. “Words can’t describe what this horse means to all of us. He’s done everything we have asked of him and tonight he breaks a track record. He’s every- body’s dream!”
“Judd has done an excellent job of directing
“I didn’t have the horse last year, but Rachuan sent him to me during the winter,” said trainer Judd Kearl. “He needed his trial race and he came back from it super. He’s a tiny horse with a big heart.”
So Rapido was bred by Bobby D. Cox out of graded stakes placed winner Sinuous. She has produced 100% money earners/ ROM from eight starters. So Rapido is her
top earner and first stakes winner. His second dam, No Fees, won three stakes races in Texas from 2003-2004, including the 2003 TQHA Sale Futurity-RG1 at Sam Houston Race Park and
she produced 14 winners, including Andorite, a half- sister to Sinuous who ran third in the 2008 Remington Park Futurity-G1.
“I am very proud of him,” said Suarez, a resident of
the horse. He will be the one to decide where he goes,” Abrams reported after the race.
TLC Dale (The Louisiana Cartel-Halies Dale) finished second for owner Rogelio
Garza Guajardo and trainer Eusevio Huitron. Manuel Gutierrez did the riding. Kearl also trains Dutcher (Apollitical Jess-Louisiana Eye Opener), who placed third for Jumonville Farms and Brian Ranch. Jose Alvarez was aboard.
In fourth was My Moment Of Fame (Jumpn Chic-Moment Of Epiphany), in a dead-heat
for 5th was Red Corona Warrior (Coronas Fast Dash-Prairie War Princess) and KW Cowboy (Mighty Corona-Tres Dia Noche), followed by This Is A Deal (Dealagame-Lady Lilia), On The Wagon (PYC Paint Your Wagon-XO Kate), Silvers Moon Flash (First Moonflash-Silver Impulse) & Bullys Bad Assets (Classified Bull- First Place Perry).
Sam Houston Race Park $103,320 • 440 yards :21.214 • si 109 • Ntr
Streakin La Jolla
FDD Dynasty
Scoopie Fein
JESSIES FIRST DOWN, ‘11-g.
Mr Jess Perry
Jess A Classy Lassy
Mighty Classy Lassy
Veracruz, Mexico. “He’s a very classy horse and he has a long career ahead of him.”
Irma Z. Vargas’ Maxx (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Bullions N Garters), the second-fastest qualifier ran second. Manuel Gutierrez rode the brown gelding for trainer Rolando Almanza.
Fastest qualifier Dash Quick Perry (Down N Dash-Quickid Perry) finished third under Francisco Calderon for owner Pete Scarmardo and trainer Leon Bard.
One Sweet Merlot (One Sweet Jess- Onemoreglassofwine), DM La Jolla (Hiclass La Jolla-DM Bella Mia), Thriving Ivory (Ivory James-Shes Dashin First), Like A Denali (Jodys Money Pop-Romancing Mary), Eagle Cry (One Famous Eagle-Checknbac), Sochi Special (Ivory James-RC Shake Em Blue) & Master O Distraction (First Down Dash- Perrys Queen Bug) completed the field.
Sam Houston Race Park $197,700 • 350 yards :17.445 • si 98
Holland Ease
Corona Cartel
Corona Chick
SO RAPIDO, ‘14-c.
Mr Jess Perry
Sinuous
No Fees
130 SPEEDHORSE, May 2017
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography Coady Photography