Page 140 - 12 April 2013

mardi Gras Futurity-RG2
SanDRa Sue BLue
by Tracy Gantz
trainer Jose Garcia has raced horses in his own name, but he wanted to get his entire family involved. He has done that through
K K Horse Racing and was rewarded when Sandra Sue Blue, the longest shot in the field, won the rich Mardi Gras Futurity-RG2 at Louisiana Downs on March 16.
“I wanted my wife, Dianette, to be involved because she helps me do everything,” said Garcia. “A lot of times, people have logos on their blinkers and silks, so I decided to use the initials of our children.”
K K Horse Racing stands for 13-year-old Kevin and 8-year-old Kasandra, with a large red heart separating the two Ks on the Garcia silks. Garcia said his children enjoy horses, both through their father’s racing stable and riding horses themselves.
Sandra Sue Blue made her racing debut
in the trials to the Mardi Gras Futurity. She broke inwardly and finished fifth behind fastest-qualifier Kerrys Special Crown. Sandra Sue Blue almost didn’t get into the finals, being the ninth-fastest qualifier.
“The jockey said she went to the left-hand side of the gate,” said Garcia. “We schooled her before the finals, and she broke fast.”
That gate schooling paid off. With jockey Eddi Martinez back aboard, Sandra Sue Blue
broke on top absolutely straight, as professional as any veteran competitor. She looked like a winner every step of the way, especially when some of the others in the field had the usual prob- lems young horses encounter. One had gotten loose in the post parade. Another reared in the gate before the start. Others leapt in the air at the start and bumped with rivals.
Though a few horses tried to close on her, Sandra Sue Blue focused and reached the wire first by three-quarters of a length in :15.404.
The Garcia family was ecstatic that their filly won, the winner’s share paid $126,808, and Jose had bet her across the board. She paid $69 to win, $25.20 to place, and $9.80 to show.
Jose picked out Sandra Sue Blue at the 2012 Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association yearling sale. He bought her for $5,500.
“When I saw the pedigree, I saw that the mare is a half-sister to a good horse,” Garcia said. That horse, Mr Game, won the Delta Downs Louisiana Breeders’ Derby-RG2, Mardi Gras Derby, and the LQHBA Sale Invitational Stakes.
Kathleen and Steve Billings bred Sandra Sue
Blue in Louisiana from placed Madam Mayor. Both Madam Mayor and Mr Game are
out of stakes-placed Susanna M Salter, who is a half-sister to stakes winners Redneck Patriot and Patriots Red Neck. Madam Mayor has produced three starters, all winners.
Bradys March Madness (Jess Louisiana Blue-Kokopelli Hills) bumped at the start,
but got up for second under
jockey Raul Ramirez Jr. for trainer Miguel Rodriguez and owner Jesse Rodriguez Jr. First Corona Man (Hez Fast As Cash-My Chicks Fast) got loose in the post parade, but ran third despite bumping early in the race. Floriberto Maldonado rode the colt for owner Maria Guadalupe Perez and trainer Rodolfo Sanchez.
Following were Kerrys Special Crown (Special Crown Royal-Prissy Lege), Yagouti (Jet Black Patriot-Afri), Last Look (Look Forward-Maid Magic), Yo Bean (Cosino- Justa Lil Jellybean), Wow What A Prize (Fast Prize Dash-Princelydancersjewel), Struttinthedayaway (Struttin To Beduino- Stol The Day), and One Swift Game (Game Patriot-Swiftone).
Louisiana Downs $281,796 • 300 yards :15.404 • si 101
Mr Jess Perry
Jess Louisiana Blue
The Louisiana Girl
SANDRA SUE BLUE, ’11-f.
Mr Eye Opener
Madame Mayor
Susanna M Salter
Sandra Sue Blue leads from start to finish, crossing the wire 3/4-lengths to the good in the $281,796 Grade 2 Mardi Gras Futurity at Louisiana Downs
138 SPEEDHORSE, April 12, 2013
Racing news
natalie Glyshaw:Lou hodges Photography