Page 193 - SPEEDHORSE April 2018

La Primera Del Ano Derby-G3
A POLITICAL LADY
by Tracy Gantz
The Parsons family’s interest in racing Quarter Horses dates back to the 1940s. So it’s not surprising that they produce outstanding home- breds. A Political Lady continued that tradition with her victory in the $183,800 La Primera Del Ano Derby-G3 at Los Alamitos on March 30.
Jay and Polly Parsons campaigned the likes of Champions First Sovereign, Mini Rock and Sig Hanson. They also bred three-time Distance Champion Sign Of Lanty. Today, their children, Jay and Cindy, along with their spouses, Char Parsons and Brian Hatley, head up the family operation. Parsons Ranch is a 30-acre farm in Sanger, California.
Jay and Char attended the races at Los Alamitos to watch A Political Lady and Terrific Temptation, another homebred, in the La Primera Del Ano Derby.
“Jay’s folks were just amazing,” said Char Parsons. “We’ve been able to carry on a legacy—the four of us—and First Sovereign was just something else. We really have to thank them for it.”
Terrific Temptation qualified the fastest for the La Primera Del Ano Derby on March 10 and A Political Lady, in winning her trial, was the second-fastest qualifier. A Political Lady had a three-race winning streak going, including last year’s Los Alamitos $2 Million Juvenile Stakes.
Eduardo Nicasio had ridden A Political Lady in both of her 2018 wins, and
he piloted her again in the final of this race. She broke third, but motored to the lead quickly and kept extend-
ing her advantage. At the wire, she finished first by
1 1/4-length, completing
the 400 yards in :19.716 for trainer Chris O’Dell.
“A Political Lady ran
huge,” said O’Dell. “She’s
very dependable. She’s always been good.”
In 12 lifetime starts, A Political Lady has won five races with four seconds and two thirds. One of those thirds came in the 2017 Golden State Million Futurity-G1.
“It was nice that Jay and Char Parsons were here,” said O’Dell. “I’ve been training for them for years, and they don’t usually make it out to the track. To win a derby with them here was nice. It was very fulfilling.”
The Parsons Family Limited Partnership bred A Political Lady out of winner Another Wise Lady, who finished second in the 2009 Go Josie Go Overnight Handicap and third in the 2008 California Breeders Freshman Stakes in the name of the Parsons Family
Trust. She has produced three winners from four starters, including additional stakes winner Thrice Wise.
“We love A Political Lady,” said Char Parsons. “She’s
like her mother. She always runs like she should every time. She has a few sisters coming up that we’re excited about. Another Wise Lady has turned into a really good broodmare for us.”
John Firth owns and co- bred second-place Hard Headed Chick (Hard
Hitting-Chickitita). Cesar DeAlba rode the filly for trainer Lin Melton. Lisa Anderson’s homebred Moonie Blues (Freighttrain B-Stuckonafeeling) finished third under jockey Jose Nicasio for trainer Jaime Gomez.
Summertime Favorite (Favorite Cartel- Summertime Quickie), Pick A Favorite (Favorite Cartel-Chicks Tell), Splendid Cause (Apollitical Jess-Answer The Dream), Terrific Temptation (Tempting Dash-Terrific Energy), Perfect Az Can Be (Texas Icon-Jess Perfect Girl), La Rusa (Walk Thru Fire-Corona
Fria) and Checkn Seis (Tres Seis-Check Her Running) completed the order of finish.
Los Alamitos $183,800 • 400 yards :19.716 • si 94
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Jess
Apollitical Time
A POLITICAL LADY, ‘15-f.
First Down Dash
Another Wise Lady
Awise Lady
A Political Lady wins the La Primera Del Ano Derby by 1 1/4-lengths
SPEEDHORSE, April 2018 191
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