Page 169 - Speedhorse December 2019

Champions Day Juvenile-RG2
RUNAWAY SECOND DOWN
by Michael Compton
Runaway Second Down didn’t quite runaway from a competitive field in the Dec. 14 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile-RG2, but the gray son of
Sir Runaway Dash prevailed in a determined effort to notch the second stakes triumph of his young career.
Piloted by Raul Ramirez Jr., Runaway Second Down broke sharply and raced in second position early in the 350-yard test, chasing TDZ Jet Black Down. He collared that one close to home and held at bay Ms Diamond Prize and jockey David Alvarez to prevail by a nose at the finish. Sent off as the 2-1 wagering choice, Runaway Second Down covered the distance in :17.731, earning a speed index of 89.
Trained by Robi Meche for owners Eulalio Argote and Victor Alvarado, Runaway Second Down improved his record to 8-4-1-1 and the $45,000 winner’s share of the purse grew his bankroll to $413,526. It was his second stakes score, having also annexed the Lee Berwick Futurity-RG1 in July.
Bred in Louisiana by Grant Farms LLC, Runaway Second Down is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Second Down Perry.
Runner-up Ms Diamond Prize (Fast Prize Jordan-Ms Diamond Oak) just missed for owner Jesus Huitron Lira and trainer Pedro Lopez. TDZ Jet Black Down (Jet Black Patriot-Miss Barton County) and jockey John Hamilton flashed high speed away from the starting gate and held third in the blanket finish for owner Tony Doughtie and trainer Kenneth Roberts Sr. Followed by HH Gailforce (Freightrain B-Open My Prize), TF Shez Jess Dashin (Sir Runaway Dash-Jess Ought To Go Now), Brileys Prize (AJS Fast Dash-Ms Wandas Prize), Perry Mouse Tale (Paint Me Perry-FMJ Mouse Tale), A Quick Jewel (Jet Black Patriot-Lummis), Jess A Fast Rogue (Heza Fast Dash-Miss Jess Rogue), Jess A Cajun (Heza Fast Dash-Jessy Jane) & Good Timing Mann (Freighttrain B-Alysa M). Patriot On Ice was scratched.
Evangeline Downs Derby
FOLLOW MY WAGON
by John Moorehouse
Winless in three prior tries in stakes company this year, Follow My Wagon scored a surprise victory in the $137,020 Evangeline Downs Derby on Dec. 14 as a 26-1 longshot.
Owned by Julio Cesar Rodriguez, the colt had logged just one victory in 10 outs as a sophomore before this derby, though he did finish in the money eight times—including a third-place run in the Mardi Gras Derby back in March and the Louisiana Starter Stakes held in July. Follow My Wagon brought home a $68,510 payday that more than doubled his prior lifetime earnings to $120,045.
Drawing the inside starting gate, Follow My Wagon drifted slightly at the start but quickly recov- ered underneath rider John Hamilton. The colt led by a head at the first call, then maintained that slim separation at each remaining call of the 400 yards. He hit the wire in :19.744 for a 93 speed index, emerging at the front of a five-way photo finish.
Fernando Lopez trains Follow My Wagon, who was bred by Karen Darling Falgoust. She also owns his dam, Come An Get Me, a 2008 mare who won six of 24 starts during her own racing career.
The Grand Legend (FDD Going Grand- Legendary Seis) placed a close second for Lifes Good Racing Partners LLC. Trained by James Padgett
II, the gelding had Rodrigo Vallejo in the irons. Sumokeonthewater (FDD Dynasty-Sumokin) finished third by a neck for Ruse Ranch, LLC. Josue Ponce is the trainer and Manuel Gutierrez drew the riding assignment. The remaining order of finish was Mia Jet In (Jet Black Patriot-PYC First Prize Mia), Jordan Eagle (One Famous Eagle-PYC Prize Doll), Pritty (Coronado Cartel-SFR Fire N Brimstone), Ricardo Cartel (Carters Cartel-Miss Shivers), Pilot Points Moon (First Moonflash-Ms Pilot Point) and Patriotic Games (First Down Dash-Miss Game Tee). TF Rowdy Cartel was scratched.
Opelousas Stakes-RG2
CANT CATCHACORONA
by Michael Compton
The leading trainer and jockey at Evangeline Downs teamed up to take down the top prize in the $40,000 Opelousas Stakes-RG2 on Nov. 9.
Cant Catchacorona, trained by Kenneth
Roberts Sr. and ridden by Everardo Rodriguez, proved uncatchable in the 350-yard test. Breaking well from the far outside in post position 10, Cant Catchacorona drifted early, but was never far from the front. After racing in third position, the gray geld- ing dueled with race favorite DLJ Imma B Famous close to home. The two hit the wire together, with Cant Catchacorona prevailing by a neck.
The winner stopped the timer in a lively :17.358, just ticks off Dashin Brown Streak’s track record of :17.235 set in 2014. The final clocking earned a 102 speed index. With the victory, Cant Catchacorona has now won five of 16 career starts and now boasts earnings of $105,731 for owner T M Ranch.
Jim and Natalie Montgomery bred Cant Catchacorona out of lightly raced In The Open. The mare has produced nine winners from 13 starters. Cant Catchacorona is her third stakes winner.
Runner up DLJ Imma B Famous (Coronas Leaving You-Yugo Buds), piloted by Ricardo Hernandez Jr., just missed for owner Myron McKinnon and trainer Alberto Solis. Mag 1 (Mr Jess Kue-Oak Tree Chic) contested the race in the early stages under Damian Martinez and finished in third place for owner Mag 3 Racing and trainer Katie Carlos. Followed by Corona Down Perry (Coronas Leaving You-Second Down Perry), The Cazador (Sir Runaway Dash-Told Ya), Beau Jackson (Heza Fast Dash-Louisiana Corona), Gunna Be Alright (Heza Fast Dash-JJ Streakin Illusion), Heza Made Man (Heza Fast Dash-Six Streakin Salute), Dashing Forthe Money (Dashin Bye-First Girl To Shine) and Lightemupwithcharm (Sizzlin Cartel- Grace Filled Charm).
Fair Grounds • $100,000 350 yards • :17.731 • si 89
First Down Dash
Sir Runaway Dash
Runaway Wave
RUNAWAY SECOND DOWN, ‘17, g.
Mr Jess Perry
Second Down Perry
Royal Down Dash
Evangeline Downs • $137,020 400 yards • :19.744 • si 93
JLS Party Wagon FOLLOW MY WAGON, ‘16-c.
PYC Paint Your Wagon Dancing Tonight
First Comment
Come An Get Me
Miss La Jolla
Evangeline Downs • $40,000 350 yards • :17.358 • si 102
Corona Cartel
Coronas Leaving You
Lil Bit Rusty
CANT CATCHACORONA, ‘15-g.
Mr Eye Opener
In The Open
Ocean Memories
SPEEDHORSE, December 2019 165
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