Page 129 - May 2018 Speedhorse

Sam Houston Derby-G3
SERENDIPITY ROCKS
by Michael Compton
Jockey Noe Villatoro and Serendipity
Rocks make quite a pair. Heading into the $191,900 Sam Houston Derby-G3 on April 28, the horse and rider were perfect in three outings together.
The two teamed up when Serendipity Rocks won his career debut last May at Sam Houston, leading from start to finish to win a 330-yard maiden race. Following two unplaced efforts at Will Rogers Downs, the two were reunited at Lone Star Park and closed out 2017 with a 2-length score in an allowance event. Sent off as the even-money favorite in
his Sam Houston Derby trial on April 13, Serendipity Rocks and Villatoro powered to a 1 1/4-length win and entered the Derby as the fourth-fastest qualifier. When the dust cleared after the 350-yard finals, the pair remained perfect together.
Serendipity Rocks broke from the 8-post and raced in fifth position early and used a strong late surge to overtake race favorite Kas Tempting to win by a head.
In winning the first stakes of his career,
the gray gelding stopped the timer in :17.816, earning an 89 speed index for owner/breeder Sarah Huskey and trainer Esteban Rubio. Serendipity Rocks improved his record to 6-4(1)-0-0 and the $76,720 winner’s share of
the purse increased his career earnings to $88,417 and
he now has a race record of 6-4(1)-0-0.
“I was really worried about being on the outside,” Huskey said, adding that
her gelding will likely show up next at Retama Park and then Lone Star. “But Rubio told me not to worry about it.
“I knew as long as Noe
was riding, he would win,”
she added. “Noe has never been beaten on him.”
Huskey’s father is 84 year old Texas horse- man Fletcher Huskey.
“I wish he could be here today,” Sarah said of her father. “Hopefully, he can see him run later this year at Lone Star.”
Huskey bred Serendipity Rocks out of winner Precious Serendipity. She has pro- duced 100% winners from seven starters, including top money earner SS Poker Face Dream, winner of the 2012 TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity-RG2, 2014 Texas Twister Stakes and TQHA Sires’ Cup Stakes. She is also the dam of Black Onyx who finished second in the 2017 Dash for Cash Juvenile Stakes at Lone Star Park. Serendipity Rocks is her second
stakes winner.
Under Raul Ramirez Jr.,
Kas Tempting (Tempting Dash-Beaukas) dueled throughout and finished second. A 2 3/4-length winner of his trial heat, Kas Tempting races for Garza Laurel Partnership and is conditioned by Saul Ramirez Jr. Francisco Javier Garza bred the bay colt in Texas.
Washta Magnolia (Cartel Success-Queens Magnolia) and
Manuel Gutierrez finished third for owner Jorge Aguilera and trainer Jorge Lopez. A 1-length winner of his trial heat, Washta Magnolia was bred in Oklahoma by Andrew Smith.
Schutts (Captain Courage-Sams First Girl), Special Lil Darling (Mr Jess Perry-Double Down Darling), Tempting Pink (Tempting Dash-Pink Cartel), This Is An Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Lady Lilia), Jess Rockin Thunder (Rock Solid Jess-Rain Maiden),
A Sweet Dynasty (FDD Dynasty-Sweet Oblivion) and One Jess Streakin (One Sweet Jess-Miss Kips Streakin) completed the order of finish.
Sam Houston Race Park $191,900 • 350 yards :17.816 • si 89
Mr Jess Perry
Rock Solid Jess
Rockin The Tetons
SERENDIPITY ROCKS, 15-g.
Behold A Beduino
Precious Serendipity
Precious Stones
Serendipity Rocks & Noe Villatoro win the $191,900 Sam Houston Derby-G3
SPEEDHORSE, May 2018 127
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