Page 173 - July 2022

“He’s a dream horse,” said Urieta. “He acted up a little in the gate, but has such a huge heart. The horse has so much talent and today ran even better than his trial win.”
Juan Diaz Jr. trains Bye Corona Bye for owner Carlos Ponce. Diaz was winning his second consecutive Sam Houston Futurity, having taken the race in 2021 with BH Inxs. Earlier this year, Bye Corona Bye won the West Texas Futurity-G2 at Sunland Park, and his four-for-four record has earned him a total of $376,332.
“We had high hopes for this horse,” said Diaz. “Obviously, anything can happen when 200 horses are trying to qualify for a futurity, but we knew if he broke well that he could do it. We have a very good team and are happy he won this final.”
Urieta and Diaz had collaborated earlier on the June 4 Sam Houston card to win the Leon Bard Memorial Stakes with The Cartels Cadillac. Diaz also saddled Orbyson to win the Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes. Diaz and Ponce led all trainers and owners, respectively, at the meet following the Futurity win.
Ponce bought Bye Corona Bye for $22,000 at the 2021 Texas Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale from the consignment of Tyler Graham.
William Reeder bred Bye Corona Bye in Texas out of the Dashin Bye mare Bye N Pearls, a five-time winner in 18 starts, with eight seconds and three thirds. Bye N Pearls has produced three winners in six starters.
The mare is a half-sister to two very good producers, 2003 Northlands Futurity-G3 winner
Sashay N Six and 2004 Canterbury Park Express Stakes winner Silver N Six. The latter was also graded stakes-placed at Sam Houston.
Maria Solis’ homebred JMG Apollitical Capo (Capo De Capi-Gold Ounce) finished second under jockey Luis Vivanco for trainer Raul Rodriguez Jr. The colt ran second in his racing debut and was then unplaced in two races before his Futurity trial.
Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco rode Ponte Trucha (Duponte-Apollitical Dasher), who was bumped
at the start, to third for owner Armando Cortez and trainer Josue Huitron. Ponte Trucha was undefeated going into the Sam Houston Futurity.
Rounding out the field were Pink Kiss (Kiss My Hocks-Pink Cartel), JLC Payaso Ed (Strawflys Eagle-BT Flair), Jess Sea Louisiana (The Louisiana Cartel-Jess Sea), Hotamale (Duponte-Srirracha), LJ Luna Llena (KVN Corona-Risen Eagle), Rinc (Tempting Dash- Jess Amy), and Mooning Deluxe (Moonin The Eagle-Corona Deluxe).
RACING NEWS
Bye Corona Bye’s winning connections include owner Carlos Ponce, trainer Juan Diaz Jr., and jockey Victor Urieta Jr.
Bye Corona Bye on his way to victory in the Sam Houston Futurity-G2 at Sam Houston Race Park .
SPEEDHORSE July 2022 171
Coady Photography Coady Photography