Page 35 - Speedhorse October 2018

First Down Dash Stakes
INTENSE FIRE
By Michael Cusortelli
Intense Fire, a sorrel son of Walk Thru Fire, outran his 16-1 odds to win the 440-yard $100,000 First Down Dash Stakes for 3 year
olds at Ruidoso Downs on Sept. 2. Ridden by Omar Reyes and racing on
a sealed track officially rated “wet-fast,” Intense Fire made his quarter-mile trip in :21.429, and his margin of victory was a neck from 10-1 longshot Hierarchy. Clint Crawford prepped the California-bred colt for owners Raymond Merrill, Bobby Jack Merrill and Gregory Cullum.
Intense Fire was bred by James Markum and Dr. Steve Burns, and he is one of nine win- ners from 13 starters produced by Remember Me Rose. A 14-year-old daughter of Corona Cartel and winner of the 2007 Ruidoso Derby-G1, Remember Me Rose has foaled
two other stakes winners, both of whom are 1/2-brothers to Intense Fire, including Powerful Favorite, the winner of the July 28 $375,000 Governor’s Cup Futurity-RG2 at Los Alamitos.
$70,000 purchase at the 2016 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Campaigned primarily in New Mexico, the colt has won three of eight starts and has banked $61,390.
Paragon Farms LLC’s Hierarchy (FDD Dynasty-Platinum Performance) was 2nd
and earned $18,000 to bring his bankroll to $120,697 from 13 starts. Ricky Ramirez rode the Grade 1-placed gelding for trainer Blane Wood.
Believe Me Irene (Valiant Hero-Financial Leverage), the 2-1 favorite, ran third, 1/2-length behind Hierarchy, and pocketed $10,000 for owner Diamond Racing Stables LLC. James Flores rode the Arizona-bred filly and 2017 All American Futurity-G1 finalist for trainer Marcos Carrizales.
One Famous FDD (One Famous Eagle- Splentabulous) finished fourth, 1-length behind Intense Fire, and was followed by Ruler Of The Realm (Apollitical Jess-KGB Agent Anna), Mi Amor Secreto (The Louisiana Cartel-Streakin In Secret), Jacky Martin 21 (DDd Dynasty- Fleeting Touch), Scoopie Jess (One Sweet
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SPEEDHORSE, October 2018 33