Page 61 - 2 March 2012

nMHbA stakes-RG2
FuRy oF THe sToRM
by John Moorehouse
Fury Of The Storm had a pretty quiet 2011 campaign, and kind of got lost in the shuffle among the other 2-year-olds
being put on the track by the partnership between SM Cattle Export Company and Jaime Dominguez.
Then, Fury Of The Storm finished second in the Shue Fly Stakes last month.
“We noticed he had very strong potential,” co-owner Jaime Dominguez noted.
And Fury Of The Storm followed through on that potential in his very next out, making a huge rally to win the NMHBA Stakes-RG2 on Feb. 19 at Sunland Park. It marked the third win in seven total starts for Fury Of The Storm, and the $66,000 payday nearly doubled his previous career earnings to a new total of $147,231.
“We paid $2,000 for that horse,” said Dominguez, who owns the 3-year-old colt in conjunction with SM Cattle Export Company. “Last year, we started him kind of late.”
The strategy was to develop Fury Of The Storm slowly and keep him in New Mexico- bred races. That plan has changed. He’s paid into the Zia Derby at Ruidoso.
“Once we know exactly what the horse’s potential is and stuff like that, we know what races we want to go to,” Dominguez said.
Fury Of The Storm needed a huge charge late in the race to secure victory. He started well back of the early leaders after emerging from the No. 10 gate, but came on strong from the out- side to beat pre-race favorite First Blazin Love to
the line by a neck.
The stakes-winning
trip produced a career-high 93 speed index, and the colt finished in :19.124 to post his best-ever time at 400 yards.
Roberto Sanchez, who, along with his brother Alex, runs SM Cattle Export Company, also trains Fury Of The Storm. Jockey Esgar Ramirez drew the riding assignment.
“Roberto and Alex Sanchez, they’re my partners on the horse
and they do a terrific job,” Dominguez said. Bill and Sandy Miller bred Fury Of The
Storm out of Bubbles Bunny, a 1997 mare they also own. Bubbles Bunny posted three wins in 33 outs, and two of her three offspring have made starts. Fury Of The Storm is her only foal with black type.
First Blazin Love (Chicks A Blazin-Love At First Glance), the heavy favorite at the betting
Fury Of The Storm—From 2009 Future Stakes Winner to 2012 winner of the NMHBA Stakes-RG2.
window at less than even-money odds, finished second after hopping at the start. Dwayne Johnson, Lisa Saumell and Johnny Martinez own the colt, prepped by Paul Jones and rid- den by G.R. Carter. Both Jones and Carter won the 2011 AQHA championships in their respective professions. Robert Rivera owns and trains My Big Chief (Get Down Perry-Majorly Easy), who hit the board in third. Ruben Calderon did the riding.
Sparklin Royal (Sixes Royal-Sparkling Ojos), Chick Town (Chicks A Blazin-Snappin On), Untangled Vines (Jesse James Jr-Tangled Vines), Dreams Happen (Stel Corona-Dream Dasher), Little Lighting (Furyofthewind- Serenas Quick Dash), RCJ Major Storm (Brookstone Bay-Major Kia) and Latest Policy (Latest Version-RR Rebs Easter Comet) com- pleted the field.
Sunland Park $110,000 • 400 yards :19.124 • si 93
Corona Cartel
Furyofthewind
Dashing Phoebe
FURY OF THE STORM, ‘09-c.
Sail On Bunny
Bubbles Bunny
A Smooth Bubble
Esgar Ramirez rode Fury Of The Storm to a neck victory in the $110,000 NMBHA Stakes-RG2.
SPEEDHORSE, March 2, 2012 59
racing news
Tommie Morelos/Coady Photography