Page 184 - Speedhorse October 2018
P. 184
Keokuk Stakes
FERRARI JAMES
by Michael Compton
Ferrari James successfully defended his title in the Keokuk Stakes-G3 at Prairie Meadows on Sept. 15, winning the 400-yard fixture for the second
straight year.
Trained by Manuel Campos and with Jonathan
Dominguez aboard, Ferrari James raced in fourth position early. He rallied strongly in the lane, col- laring Corona Springs close to home and forging a victory over Bye Byefreighttrain by a neck. Ferrari James stopped the timer in :19.754, earning a speed index of 93.
Owned by Alfredo Botello, Ferrari James is now a five-time stakes winner, having also annexed last year’s Two Rivers Stakes, the 2016 Iowa Double Gold Derby, and the 2016 Altoona Derby. The gelding’s latest stakes score increased his earnings to $252,775 with the $24,750 winner’s share and improved his record to 26-11(5)-3-3(2).
Bred in Oklahoma by Weetona Stanley and W.E. Smith, Ferrari James is the lone stakes winner out
of lightly raced Ferarri Fast Prize, who is also the dam of 2 stakes-placed runners in Ferarri GT and V Power, the top earner of the brood.
Bye Byefreighttrain (Freighttrain B-Bye Bye Bygones) & Roberto Valero flew home late and just missed for owner L.P. Frank and trainer Shawna Manriquez. Thomas Scheckel’s Corona Springs (Corona Cartel-Aquafina), saddled by Jason Olmstead, led early and held 3rd under Cristian Esqueda. Followed by NSM Skydancer (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Jessthelouisianagirl), Woop Dee Doo (Good Reason Sa-Jess Racy Eyes), Bout Tree Fiddy (Ivory James-Hollie Jollie), Faster Than Hasta (Hasta Be Fast-Leadmetoyourleader), Walk Off (Walk Thru Fire- Jenuine Joy), Scholarly (TR Dasher-Now You Comeat Noon), Damn Strait (Dominyun-Hottesticketintown), A Jordon Reed (Jumpn Chic-Parr for Me) & Tommy the Train (Freighttrain B-Okie Dokey Annie).
Iowa Stallion Futurity
LIL IZA BABY
by John Moorehouse
Lil Iza Baby broke her maiden and scored her first stakes win simultaneously, triumphing in the $83,715 Iowa Stallion Futurity by 1/2-length at
Prairie Meadows on Sept. 2.
Lil Iza Baby was making her second career
start and improved slightly on her time in the Aug. 19 trials, which saw her finish second by a slight head to the top qualifier Lil Quick Wagon in their qualifying heat.
Saddled by trainer Alex Wessels, Lil Iza Baby broke well from the 8-gate in the finals and led by a head as she reached the first call.
The filly maintained that slim advantage as she entered the stretch, then pulled away from her rivals to win by 1/2-length.
Under Bonifacio Quiroz, the filly completed the 350 yards in :17.946 and posted an 86 speed index.
Lil Iza Baby brought home a $38,509 payday, pushing her lifetime earnings to $40,467. Bob Urich owns the filly.
Urich bred Lil Iza Baby out of Iza Cruisin, who finished second in the 2009 Iowa Stallion Futurity. Lil Iza Baby is the mare’s first starter.
Lil Quick Wagon (Lil Kool Wagon-RU Special) finished second under Jorge Torres for owners
Bob Urich and Michael Pohl and trainer Stacy Charette-Hill.
Another Wessels trainee, Iris Royal Dash (Sweet First Down-Pure Royal Dash), finished third under Ramiro Garcia for owner B/B Wessels, LLC.
Jessa Sweet Pistol (Sweet First Down-Jess Shine), Jessaspecial (Jess Racy-Aspecialivorygirl), Nadiafterdawn (Sweet First Down-Hazy Dawn TB), TRS LZ Jess (Just Amazing Jess-TRS A Classy Dash), Lil Upity (Lil Kool Wagon-RU Upity) and Day Of Favor (Talkalota Bull-Special Bold Chick) completed the order of finish. Brins Koollilokey was scratched.
Iowa Double Gold Derby
CALIFORNIA BLOSSOM
by Michael Compton
California Blossom scored her first stakes victory in the $80,144 Iowa Double Gold Derby at Prairie Meadows on Sept. 1.
With Roberto Valero riding for owner George Seward and trainer Robert Johnson, California Blossom raced in fourth position early in the 400- yard contest. With a strong rally, she collared race favorite The Polar Vortex in the lane and spurted clear of a fast-finishing Estrella De Noche to score by a 1/2-length at the finish.
The sixth-fastest qualifier from the Aug. 18 Iowa Double Gold Derby trials, California Blossom stopped the timer in :19.924 for her stakes victory, earning an 89 speed index.
The win improved California Blossom’s record to 14-5(1)-1-3 and increased the 3 year old’s earnings to $59,065. The filly was also a finalist in the Way Maker Handicap and Corona Chick Handicap last year at Los Alamitos.
Parsons Family Limited Partnership bred California Blossom out of winner Quiero Dinero, a half-sister to 2016 Jack Robinson Handicap winner No Mas Vaquero. California Blossom is the mare’s first foal. California Blossom’s 2nd dam is winner Quiero Mas, dam of 100% winners from 7 starters.
Estrella de Noche (Favorite Cartel-JA Desert Evening) was second under Stormy Smith for owner Twin Spires Farm and trainer Charley Hunt. The Polar Vortex (Carters Cartel-Signs Zoomer) and Cristian Esqueda were third for owner Thomas Lepic and trainer Jason Olmstead. Followed by CR Lota Girl (Lota PYC-LW Evening LaJolla), Agent Carter (Carters Cartel-Lotta Love For Robyn), SFS Silver Lining (Fantastic Corona Jr-Eye Speed Too), Who Rah (Furyofthewind-Rodeo Rona), RB Confection Rose (Confection Cartel-My Exclusive Driver), Okey Wind (Furyofthewind-Okey Dokey Eyes) and Cant Take Time (Desirio-Tiny First Down).
Prairie Meadows $45,000 400 yards :19.754 si 93
Corona Cartel
Dashin Follies
Mr Jess Perry
Ivory James
FERRARI JAMES, ‘13, g.
Ferarri Fast Prize
Fast First Prize
Prairie Meadows $83,715 350 yards :17.946 si 86
Lil Kool Wagon LIL IZA BABY, ‘16-f.
Iza Cruisin
PYC Paint Your Wagon Little Kool Barbie Special Legend
Im On Cruise Control
Prairie Meadows $80,144 400 yards :19.924 si 89
Desirio
Strawfly Special
Lady Tenaya
CALIFORNIA BLOSSOM, 15-f.
A Classic Dash
Quiero Dinero
Quiero Mas
182 SPEEDHORSE, October 2018
RACING NEWS
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