Page 139 - 12 April 2013

West texas Derby-G3
PJ chick in BLack
by John Moorehouse
PJ Chick In Black was named the AQHA Champion Two-Year-Old Filly at the end of her rookie season last year.
So much for a sophomore slump.
In her first stakes race of 2013, the now three-year-old filly won by daylight in the $203,148 West Texas Derby-G3 on March 30 at Sunland Park.
It marked the seventh win in eight lifetime outs for PJ Chick In Black, who is owned by the partnership of Dennis C. Bowen, Susan Taylor and Jack Smith Farms.
The $95,480 payday from this derby vic- tory improved her career bankroll to $623,919.
In just eight starts, PJ Chick In Black already holds three stakes victories, and all of them are graded.
She won last year’s versions of both the New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2 and the Ruidoso Futurity-G1. After that success, it’s no surprise that PJ Chick In Black went off as the heavy favorite, at less than easy money.
“We had a good time bringing her
back. She didn’t need surgery,” trainer John Stinebaugh told media after the race. “It could be a great summer for her at Ruidoso. We’ve
got six weeks until the first derby trials. You really don’t know how good it feels to get over this one.”
PJ Chick In Black tallied the fastest qualifying time for the West Texas Derby on March 8, winning her heat by a full length in :18.841.
And, she was all class in the West Texas Derby final. PJ Chick In Black broke
clean from post position No.
3, and she surged to the front of the nine-horse field by the first call.
PJ Chick In Black then drew clear, opening up a one-length lead and winning by daylight in rather dominant fashion.
Jockey Esgar Ramirez was aboard as PJ Chick in Black completed the 400 yards in :18.808, registering a 101 speed index.
Ramirez, the filly’s regular rider, praised the filly for keeping her composure in spite of multiple gate delays.
Fredda Draper bred PJ Chick In Black out of Eddie Jym, a 2004 mare who won three of
15 outs. PJ Chick In Black is the only foal out of Eddie Jym to date.
ICU Deity (FDD Dynasty-ICU Shazoom) placed second for Linda Joiner and Marty Cope. Mike Joiner trains the gelding and jockey Casey Lambert drew the riding assignment.
Whiteface Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Sing And Pray) hit the board in third.
The filly is owned by Mesas Racing Team and trained by Jaime Aldavaz Jr. Adrian Ramos was aboard.
The remaining order of finish was Prince Of Alexander (Stel Corona-Princess Of Dash), Secret Courage (Captain Courage-Secretively), Iba JP (Mr Jess Perry-Iba Special), Caballo Famous Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Tres Fames), Rockin Disco (Rock Solid Jess-Check This Disco) and First Prize Moon (Mr Jess Perry-First Prize Dash). Wild And Game was unruly in the gates and caused two delays before being scratched.
Sunland Park $203,148 • 400 yards :18.808 • si 101
Strawfly Special
Desirio
Lady Tenaya
PJ CHICK IN BLACK, ‘10-f.
Corona Cocktail
Eddie Jym
Minnie Coup
PJ Chick In Black kicked clear for a 1-length victory in the $203,148 Grade 3 West Texas Derby at Sunland Park
SPEEDHORSE, April 12, 2013 137
racing news
coady Photography