Page 133 - May 2018 Speedhorse

West Texas Futurity-G2
SUZE RETURNS
by Danny Camp
Suze Returns soared to her first stakes vic- tory in just her second start in the $269,528 West Texas Futurity-G2 at Sunland Park on April 14.
Suze Returns crushed the field in the fifth of 10 trials on March 23, going wire-to-wire and finishing 2 1/4-lengths in front for the fastest qualifying time under Jaime Leos.
In the West Texas Futurity finals, the filly loaded in the 7-gate and was the odds-on favorite. Suze Returns broke in good shape, had clear sailing and took the lead in the stretch. With rider Leos working hard and whispering to his mount the way jockeys do, they crossed the line a neck in front, stopping the clock at :15.147 to earn a 95 speed index.
The filly took home the $126,678 winner’s share of the purse for owner Joe Rios and trainer Juan Gonzalez. Her total earnings now stand at $132,018 and she is undefeated in two starts.
Flag Ranch LLC bred Suze Returns out
of graded stakes placed winner Brown Eye Suze. She earned $109,588 in her race career, placing second in the 2009 Buttons and Bows Handicap-G3 at The Downs of Albuquerque. She was named an AQHA Superior Racehorse in 2010. The mare has produced seven starters that have tallied eight wins, including graded
stakes finalist Brown Tres Seis. Suze Returns is her first stakes winner and top earner.
“This filly is a bomb wait- ing to explode” said trainer Juan Gonzalez. “She is full of energy. She must go with the pony horse when galloping in the morning. She is a power- ful bundle of nerves.
“The filly has a long
stride and she reminds me of
Running Dragon,” continued
Gonzalez. “She seems to run efficiently, not wasting any movement other than straight ahead. Suze drifted in just a bit in the trials, but in the finals, ran straight as an arrow. It was a very dramatic race for us, she broke on top, but midway she gave ground and it wor- ried us. She gritted it out and got the money. We were very excited.
“Joe Rios is a great owner,” the trainer added. “He’s always positive. He bought this filly at Heritage Place for $13,000. We have had a couple of her siblings and were excited to get her and we are still excited about her future.” Talking about the future Juan said, “We haven’t gathered around to talk about what’s next, but I think with her long stride,
she can go the distance.
We will probably look at the triple crown at Ruidoso Downs, taking one race at a time. We are lucky to be around such a nice filly and she is completely sound.
“Jaime Leos is a hard worker,” Gonzalez said. “He gets on our horses very early in their training and he fits this filly very well.”
Under Joe Montoya, All Sophia Wanted (Five Bar Cartel-All I Ever Wanted) ran second for owner Sunset Well
Service Inc. and trainer Michael Chavez. Eagle Coast (One Dashing Eagle-Coastal
Candy) and jockey Esgar Ramirez came in third for owner Ernesto Palacio and trainer Jose Muela.
Ms Talks Alot (First Down Dash-Forever Bradgelina), Steamin Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Long Stemmed Roses), JMF Dasher (Tempting Dash-Silly Chix), Little Party Wagon (Little PYC-Anns Party Doll TB), Sweet Temptation (Tempting Dash-A Dash Of Sweet Heat) and Lethal Lil (Corona Cartel- Lethal Delight) completed the order of finish. Jess Like Fire was scratched.
Sunland Park $269,528 • 300 yards :15.147 • si 95
Mr Jess Perry
High Rate Of Return
Dividends Declared
SUZE RETURNS, 16-f.
Mr Eye Opener
Brown Eye Suze
Shesaspeedin Bullet
Suze Returns & Jaime Leos score the win in the $269,528 West Texas Futurity-G2
SPEEDHORSE, May 2018 131
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography