Page 139 - May 2017

Open Me A Corona S.-RG2
HEZA LOUISIANA DASH
by Michael Compton
Heza Louisiana Dash justified his odds-on favoritism in the $50,000 Open Me A Corona Stakes-RG2 when he won the 350-yard race in a
strong out at Delta Downs on April 22.
Ridden by Gilbert Ortiz, Heza Louisiana Dash
broke from the inside post position and asserted
his superiority at the start. He maintained a clear advantage over his seven rivals through the lane and was never headed, crossing the wire with a comfort- able 3/4-length lead. Saddled by Kenneth Roberts Sr., Heza Louisiana Dash stopped the timer in :17.386 and earned a speed index of 97 for his fourth stakes victory.
Heza Louisiana Dash took home the $30,000 winner’s share of the purse for owner T M Ranch and increased his lifetime earnings to $381,641. The five-year-old gelding has lit the board an impressive 19 times from 21 starts.
Bred in Louisiana by Jumonville Farms/Burnett Ranch, East Hi-Point Aged Gelding Heza Louisiana Dash is the lone stakes winner/top earner out of
the winning mare Eyejesslovelouisiana. She has produced 100% winners from three starters.
Cute Mic Jagger (Oak Tree Special-Shannons Fame), trained by Miguel Rodriguez, chased the winner home in a game effort to finish second under Raul Ramirez Jr. for Jagger Horse Racing.
Roberts, who sent out the winner, was also represented by third place finisher Jes A Fast Dasher (Heza Fast Dash-Jes A Game), who rallied late under Noe Castenada for owner Tony Doughtie.
Jethro Almitey (Heza Fast Dash-Dash In
The Wind) finished fourth and was followed by Zoominforgrady (Zoomin For Bux-Supers First Jewel), Times A Tickin (Oak Tree Special-Tickin Away), Won CC (Zoomin For Bux-DD Special April) & Louisiana Legends (Jet Black Patriot-Sheza Cash Dasher).
Delta Dash Stakes
SCOOPIES LEAVING YOU
by Michael Compton
Scoopies Leaving You shortened up to 250 yards and the abbreviated trip agreed with the 6-year-old horse in the Delta Dash Stakes at Delta Downs on April 21.
Ridden by Donald Watson, Scoopies Leaving You broke fifth from the 9-gate and parlayed a solid run through the lane to a nose victory over race favorite First Fancy Prize at the finish. The veteran campaigner, sent off as the 3-1 second wager-
ing choice in the field of 10, stopped the timer in :12.964, earning a speed index of 98.
Owned by Joel Galindo and trained by Kevin Broussard, Scoopies Leaving You won for the 16th time in a 37-race career. The $18,000 winner’s share of the purse increased his lifetime bankroll to $310,290. He now boasts nine stakes victories.
Bred in Louisiana by Gerald Libersat, East Hi-Point Aged Stallion/New Track Record setter Scoopies Leaving You is the first stakes winner out of stakes-placed winner Ms Scoopies Toast, who finished third in the 2007 Party Girl Stakes at Louisiana Downs. She has produced four starters, including winner Hypervelocity
Runner-up First Fancy Prize (PYC Paint Your Wagon-First Prize Fancy) led throughout and
just missed for owners Scott & Monica Jones and Raymond Loup with John Hamilton riding for trainer Michael Taylor. Judith Ladner’s Voncitas Game (Game Patriot-Voncita) and jockey Gilbert Ortiz finished a close third in the blanket finish for trainer Edwin Ladner.
Dash Dont Cheat (Down N Dash-Special Cheat), Royal Aztec (Zoomin For Bux-Eyes Wacky), RBD Jessaswingin (Swingin Jess-Furby), Mariachy King (Chief Corona-Lil Prairie Maid), MPS Shake Em N Style (Shake Em White-Style N Grace), GT Divalicious (Agouti-The Village Witch) & One Dimple (One Famous Eagle-Dimples First Dash) completed the order of finish.
James S. Smith Memorial H.
BANNISTER
by Tracy Gantz
Once California’s rainy winter ended, Bannister returned to his winning ways. A two-time stakes winner last year, the gelding captured his first
2017 stakes in the $20,000 James S. Smith Memorial Handicap at Los Alamitos on April 8.
Bannister and rider Jesus Ayala shot to the lead from the 7-post. Bannister had to contend with
a variety of rivals in only 350 yards, as Favorite Aquaholic and American Force stuck with him. Bannister was able to keep his head in front the entire way and pulled out to a 1/2-length victory at the wire in :17.778 posting an 88 speed index.
Monty Arrossa trains Bannister for owners Dennis and Sandy Weigt. Bannister won the Beehive Futurity and the Wild West Futurity in 2016. In
12 starts, he has eight victories, three of which are stakes races.
J. Garvan Kelly and Nancy Yearsley bred Bannister in Oklahoma from their winning home- bred mare Goddess Artemis. A half-sister to three stakes winners, Goddess Artemis has produced two winners in five starters. Bannister is her top earner and first stakes winner.
Tony Guymon rode On The Go (Foose-Jetsetter) to second for trainer Mark Skeen. Gary Allred, Fawna Knight, and Leon Smith own the gelding.
Ron Hartley’s American Force (First Down Dash-American Purse) finished third in a deadheat, with Cesar DeAlba aboard. The gelding is trained by John Cooper. Favorite Aquaholic (Favorite Cartel- Aqua Hawk) also finished third under Jonathan Roman for owner Kolleen Ledgerwood and trainer Roberto Dominguez.
All Kinds Of Kind (Tac It Like A Man- Allthatshewants), Dashing Runner (One Dashing Eagle-AB What A Runner) & Western Coast (Hawkinson-West Coast Cash) completed the order of finish.
Delta Downs • $50,000 350 yards • :17.386 • si 97
Heza Fast Man
Heza Fast Dash
HEZA LOUISIANA DASH-’12-g.
Mr Jess Perry
Eyejesslovelouisiana
First Prize Dash
Louisiana Eye Opener
Delta Downs • $27,400 250 yards • :12.964 • si 98
Corona Cartel
Coronas Leaving You
Lil Bit Rusty
SCOOPIES LEAVING YOU, ‘11-h.
Toast To Dash
Ms Scoopies Toast
Scoopie Dash
Los Alamitos • $20,000 350 yards • :17.778 • si 88
Maknmoves BANNISTER, ‘14-g.
First Down Dash
Militia
Mr Jess Perry
Goddess Artemis
Sky Chicks
SPEEDHORSE, May 2017 137
RACING NEWS
Nicole Cormier/Coady Photography
Nicole Cormier/Coady Photography
Los Alamitos