Page 142 - June 2018 Speedhorse

Heritage Place Derby-G3
PYC FUN N FANCY
by Tracy Gantz
PYC Fun N Fancy enjoys his job so much that he sometimes gets ahead of himself in the starting gate. But he’s talented enough to
overcome any disadvantage, a trait he showed off admirably in winning the $363,790 Heritage Place Derby-G3 at Remington Park on June 2.
“He broke very strong. He kind of missed the ground,” said jockey Ricky Ramirez. “But, that was because he tried to leave there so hard.”
PYC Fun N Fancy came away in fifth from the outside 10-gate, but he didn’t let that deter him. The colt moved up strongly to take the lead and win by a neck in :19.429, posting a 99 speed index.
James Flores rode PYC Fun N Fancy to victory in his May 13 Heritage Derby trial and they qualified second fastest. Flores also rode fastest-qualifier Fast Prize Rumor and stuck with that gelding in the final.
“I watched the replay after the trial,” said Ramirez. “James Flores rode him very
aggressive and he made a big run for him. So that was my plan today, to ride him just like he did, just as aggres- sive. The horse performed awesome and just finished very strong.”
Amanda Tongay trains PYC Fun N Fancy for owner Jose Guzman of Dallas, Texas.
Guzman, who has been
in the construction business
for 25 years, has about 10
horses in training and keeps a few mares.
“This horse has a lot of heart,” said Guzman, who also noted that PYC Fun N Fancy came out of last Remington’s meet with a chip in his knee.
As a 2 year old, the colt won the Laico Bird Stakes, ran second in the Oklahoma Futurity-G3, and ran third in the Heritage Place Futurity-G1. He has made all of his lifetime starts at Remington.
“We did the surgery and he made a compete recovery,” said Guzman. “We gave him plenty of time off and he’s come back pretty good.”
PYC Fun N Fancy was away from the races for nine months and returned for this year’s Remington Park meet and immediately qualified for and was a finalist in the Oklahoma Derby-G3.
His Heritage Place trial was his fourth start of the year, and he has now put together back-to-back victories. His record
is now 10-4(2)-3(1)-1(1) with $442,894 banked. “He’s pretty smart. No problems at all,”
said Guzman, who purchased PYC Fun N Fancy for $32,000 at the 2016 Heritage Place Yearling Sale from the consignment of James Ranch, agent for breeder Weetona Stanley.
“A friend of mine had a full brother who won the Oklahoma Bred Futurity,” said
Remington Park $363,790 • 400 yards :19.429 • si 99
Corona Cartel
PYC Paint Your Wagon
Dashin Follies
PYC FUN N FANCY, ‘15-c.
Mr Jess Perry
First Prize Fancy
First Prize Dash
140 SPEEDHORSE, June 2018
PYC Fun N Fancy and Ricky Ramirez score the win in the $363,790 Heritage Place Derby-G3
RACING NEWS
Dustin Orona Photography