Page 165 - May_2023

James S. Smith Memorial H.
JESSICA CRUZ
by Tracy Gantz
Afourth place in a trial for the Los Alamitos Oaks-G1 put a big price on Jessica Cruz in the April 1 James S. Smith Memorial Handicap. Bettors who remained loyal were rewarded when Jessica Cruz won the event and paid $56.20 to win.
Jessica Cruz received a new rider for the James S. Smith Memorial in Rodrigo Aceves.
The filly broke well and then leaned inward for the first few strides of the 350-yard race. Aceves straightened her out quickly, and she battled with favored Chicks First Flash, ultimately defeating that gelding by a 1/2-length in :17.649.
Elena Andrade trains Jessica Cruz for owner Gary Laramie, who purchased the filly for $71,000 at the 2021 Los Alamitos Equine Sale. At two
in 2022, Jessica Cruz finished second in the Los Alamitos Wild West Futurity-RG3.
Double Bar S Ranch LLC bred Jessica Cruz in Oklahoma out of its multiple graded stakes-placed homebred mare Jess Cuz. The mare has produced three starters, all winners, including stakes-placed Jesstice For All.
Five Livestock Company bred second-place Chicks First Flash (First Moonflash-First Prize Chicks) and co-owns him with Steve Wright. Armando Cervantes rode the gelding for trainer Monty Arrossa. Chicks First Flash has won three stakes, including the 2022 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity-G2.
Jose Nicasio piloted Normandy (A Revenant-Ms Casholene) to third for owner Ronnie Brooks Keller and trainer Roman Figueroa. Normandy was coming off a third in the Los Alamitos Winter Derby-G1.
Completing the field were Hay Shaker (Favorite Cartel-Bubblie), Forever Dynasty (Hes Relentless- Forgotten Dynasty), Ima Sixy Man (Corona Cartel- Jess So Sixy), Henry D (KVN Corona-Sassy On Fire), Dangerous Fella (Foose-Dangerous Woman), and Marcelo (Fast Prize Cartel-SS Calendar Girl).
RACING NEWS
SPEEDHORSE May 2023 163
Amber Mendez, Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos • $30,000
350 yards • :17.649 • SI 93
FDD Dynasty JESSICA CRUZ, ‘20-f.
Jess Cuz
First Down Dash Dinastia Toll BRZ Mr Jess Perry Corona Couture