Page 10 - Speedhorse November 2019

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by Jennifer K. Hancock
RACING AFTER RECOVERY
Jockey Oscar Peinado returned to action for the first time in nearly 15 months when he rode Famous Foose in the seventh race on Oct. 18 at Los Alamitos.
Peinado had been sidelined with fractured verte- brae in his neck and back following a riding spill in late July 2018. At the time of his injury, Peinado was among the leading riders at the Orange County rac- ing oval in California, having won 25 Quarter Horse races and the winners of more than $303,000 during the meet. In his career, Peinado has piloted 258 win- ners from 2,397 mounts.
With earnings of more than $5 million, Pei- nado’s top mounts have included Grade 1 Charger Bar Handicap winner Jess Good Reason, Spencer L. Childers California Breeders’ Championship-RG1 winner Flay as well as stakes horses Senor Toby, Sepa- rate Interest, Jess Mas and He Is The Risingstar. It’s good to see Peinado back in the saddle.
AJAX DOWNS WRAPS GOLDEN SEASON
On Oct. 21, Ajax Downs in Ontario concluded its Quarter Horse meet and celebrated the track’s 50th anniversary of racing.
Tony Phillips rode two winners on the 10-race card and earned the leading rider title. His 36 victories are the most wins he has had since he began riding Quarter Horses in 2004.
“It’s been an amazing season,” Phillips said after being interviewed by stallionesearch.com. “All those people who had my back this year and previous years, I stuck with them, and it paid off. I really thank everyone for the support.”
Adding a winner on the final card gave Ed Walton a total of 25 races, and he finished in second place ahead of Brian Bell and Ramiro Castillo, who each rode 21 winners during the meet.
With 35 wins, Jason Pascoe led all trainers, and Christine Tavares earned the leading owner title with 17 wins.
The final race of the season went to Eye Am The Eagle, a 4-year-old gelding who was purchased last year by First Line Racing Syndicate, a group of more than a dozen people who have made five total trips and four in 2019 to the winner’s circle with Eye Am The Eagle.
Organized by the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario, Inc., the syndicate is open to any racing enthusiast who wants to purchase an affordable share in a Quarter Horse.
2-Time World Champion Jessies First Down.
2-TIME WORLD CHAMPION JESSIES FIRST DOWN RETIRES
Owner and breeder Ted G. Abrams Sr. an- nounced on Oct. 14 the retirement of 2-time World Champion Jessies First Down. Abrams said the 8-year-old FDD Dynasty gelding would return to Rafter A Ranch in Hempstead, Texas, where he was foaled on April 13, 2011.
Out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess A Classy Lassy, Jessies First Down won 19 races from 40 starts and retires with $1,624,002 in earnings. Trained by Jimmy Padgett II and Judd Kearl during his career, he finished second 12 times and third once – finishing off the board in only eight starts including two starts in 2019.
Named World Champion in 2016 and 2017, the gelding amassed a total of six Champion awards. His resume lists Grade 1 wins including the
Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship, Remington Park Invitational Championship, All American Gold Cup, Leo Stakes and Refrigerator Handicap. In addition, he won the Championship at Sunland Park-G1 and the Zia Park QH Champi- onship twice.
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
Jennifer K. Hancock
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SPEEDHORS, November 2019
TRACK CHATTER