Page 156 - December 2017

Texas Classic Futurity-G1
THECARTELOFMIRACLE
by Michael Compton
It may not qualify as a miracle, but Thecartelofmiracle sprung a mild upset in the $873,616 Texas Classic Futurity-G1 at Lone
Star Park on Nov. 11 to score the first stakes victory of his young career.
Thecartelofmiracle and jockey Manuel Gutierrez were out on top from the 6-gate and broke in and bumped hard after the start, but grabbed the early lead and opened a clear 1/2-length advantage in the lane. Thecartelofmiracle held at bay a furious late charge from race favorite and 2nd-fastest qualifier Hotstepper to win the 400-yard dash by a neck in :19.800, earning a speed index of 94.
Thecartelofmiracle won his Oct. 21 trial by 1 length to qualify 7th fastest to the finals. The gelding, who was sent off as a 13-1 out- sider, was saddled by trainer Alonso Neri.
Owned by Mario Luciana Villarreal, Thecartelofmiracle now boasts a record of 9-4(1)-1-2.
Thecartelofmiracle won by a neck at first asking on April 8 at Sam Houston and then finished fifth, beaten by just 1-length in the Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes on April 29. He annexed an allowance race at Retama Park in July and then finished 7th in the Dash For Cash Futurity-G1 in September at Lone Star
Park before winning his trial for the Texas Classic Futurity-G1.
The $388,761 winner’s share of this race increased his lifetime earnings to $419,179.
Bred in Texas by Jose L. Estrada, Thecartelofmiracle is out of lightly raced
Its Jess A Miracle. Thecartelofmiracle is the only foal for the mare.
Trainer Alonso Neri savored Thecartelofmiracle’s upset in the Futurity, “He did everything great as far as coming back and eating well,” he noted. “We left it
all in God’s hands and thank God we got the win today. Manny did an awesome job. I want to thank everyone for the opportunity, and it was a really good race. We’ll give him a little rest and celebrate the win.”
Hotstepper (One Famous Eagle- Pandorum) just missed under Cody Jensen for owners Johnny Cope, R.D. Hubbard, Rafter W Stables and Henry Southway and trainer Dwayne Gilbreath. A 3-time win- ner heading into the Texas Classic Futurity, Hotstepper finished third in the All
American Futurity-G1 in September, before impressing with his 1 3/4-length win in his Texas Classic Futurity trial. The bay gelding, who was also a finalist in the Rainbow Futurity-G1, was bred in Texas by Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP.
This Is An Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Lady Lilla) and Francisco Calderon dueled with the winner early
and held third for owner Mary G. Lynne Thompson and trainer Leon Bard. The sorrel colt, winner of the Sam Houston Juvenile Stakes, captured the first four starts of his career (all as the race favorite) before finishing second in his Texas Classic Futurity trial dash. He was bred in Texas by Pete Scarmardo.
Starfield (FDD Dynasty-Starsmith), Cartel Cupid (Corona Cartel-Lake View Dreams), Legacy Eagle (One Famous Eagle-A Delightful Legacy), Another Shot (Tempting Dash-Fontanas Stoli), Factual Basis (PYC Paint Your Wagon-A Lil Known Fact) and This Is A Deal Too (Dealagame-Lady Lilla) completed the order of finish. Streakin Seis Corona was scratched.
Lone Star Park $873,616 • 400 yards :19.800 • si 94
Corona Cartel
Tough And Good
Reb’s Battle TB
THECARTELOFMIRACLE, ‘15-g.
Gold Medal Jess
Its Jess A Miracle
Lovely Mirage
154 SPEEDHORSE, December 2017
Thecartelofmiracle & Manuel Gutierrez go wire-to-wire in the $873,616 Texas Classic Futurity-G1.
RACING NEWS
Dustin Orona Photography