Page 159 - December 2017
P. 159
Evangeline Downs Futurity
CORONA RANGER
by Danny Camp
Corona Ranger ran second in his Nov.
24 trial heat for the Evangeline Downs Futurity for the third fastest qualifying time.
The 400-yard finals, which were contested on Dec. 16, were worth a total of $309,200. The gelding broke from the eight-post and there was never a doubt. Jockey Gilbert Ortiz sat chilly for the most part, offering very little encouragement. The duo
crossed the wire 3/4-lengths
to the good in :19.768 to earn
a 96 speed index.
Corona Ranger took home first place money
of $154,600 and has now earned a total of $169,385 with a race record of 7-3(1)-1-1.
His connections include owner Vanessa Bartoo and trainer John Stinebaugh.
Corona Ranger was bred in Oklahoma by Bollenbach
LQHBA Breeders’ Derby
Farms out of stakes winner Azoom Babe. Earning over $60,000 in her day, the mare has produced 100% money earners from 8 starters, including Grade 1 winner Valiant Rogue, her top earner.
“It’s not the size of the horse, it’s the size of the heart,” trainer John Steinbaugh said. “He came back perfect after the trials and this was
a race he needed. It set him up perfect for the finals.
“He’s had a good year
and we are gonna turn him out and let him rest up,” Steinbaugh added. “We will get him ready for Remington next year and then Ruidoso Downs. Everyone who ever rode this horse says he is really rough. I just tell them that’s the way God made
him. He’s good looking and balanced and we are tickled to have him.”
Sunset Run (FDD Dynasty-Summer Love Song) rallied to finish second. Raul Ramirez Jr. made a spectacular ride for owner Jose Alfonso Ramos and trainer Miguel Rodriguez.
Fastest qualifier EOS A Political Win (Apollitical Jess-Pithia) was outfinished and took third place by a neck. The colt is owned by Elite Oilfield Services and trained by Rolando Almanza. Jesse Levario was handling the reins.
Captain Jimbob (Desirio-War Silks) finished fourth and was followed by Kas Tempting (Tempting Dash-Beaukas). SR Shambles (Desirio-Parisz) and FDD Lajolla (FDD Dynasty-Sixes La Jolla) finished in a dead-heat for sixth place and were followed by This Is An Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Lady Lilia) and Independence B (Inseperable-LS Honey Brown).
Evangeline Downs $309,200 400 yards :19.768 si 96
Holland Ease
Corona Cartel
Corona Chick
CORONA RANGER, ’15-g.
Azoom
Azoom Babe
Miss Stocks N Bonds
FIRST PRIZE BOURBAN
by John Moorehouse
First Prize Bourban collected his second stakes win of the year in the $316,991 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby at Evangeline Downs on Dec. 16.
First Prize Bourban finished the 400-yard trip in :19.648, earning a 99 speed index. The gelding brought home the $141,061 winner’s share of the purse, improving
his total bankroll to $295,617.
It’s been a good sopho- more campaign for First Prize Bourban, who has logged a lifetime record of 11-5(2)- 4(1)-0. His other stakes victory comes from the Treme Derby-RG3 at Fair Grounds earlier this year.
Owned by Charles J. Bouudreaux Jr. and trained by Kenneth Roberts Sr., First Prize Bourban broke in coming from the 3-post, but jockey Donald Watson kept
the gelding on course and he led by a head at the first call. That slim advantage held up at every remaining juncture, with First Prize Bourban winning by a neck.
“The main thing is that he got away good tonight and held on,” Roberts said following the race in a stallionesearch.com article. “I was
a little nervous about run- ning him at 400 yards, but he got the job done.”
The gelding was home- bred by Weetona Stanley out of unraced First Prize Pearl. She has produced 100% money earners from eight starters. First Prize Bourban is her her top earner and second stakes winner along with First Prize Dive.
“This horse had four wins and four seconds,” owner Charles J. Boudreaux, Jr.
said after the race. “I felt sure
he would win another. Kenny is the master at training these Quarter Horses.”
Roberts also trains No Politics Here (Jess Louisiana Blue-In His Dreams), who finished second for TM Ranch. Noe Castaneda did the riding. Lightmeupwithcharm (Sizzlin Cartel- Grace Filled Charm) placed third for owner Saul Dorado and trainer Manuel Macias. Raul Hernandez drew the riding assignment.
The remaining order of finish was One Hot Flame (Fast Prize Dash-Rump Shakin), JRS Coronas Shadow (Coronas Leaving You-Shadow Of Colors), Shez The Bomb (Heza Fast Dash- Mornin Jess), Bubba Mallard (Sir Runaway Dash-Miss Mallard), TF Racee Runaway (Sir Runaway Dash-Racee Rainbows), Toasted Runaway (Sir Runaway Dash-Toast To Tolltac) and Gone Swingin (Swingin Jess-Goinbye).
Evangeline Downs $316,991 400 yards :19.648 si 99
Corona Cartel
Coronas Leaving You
Lil Bit Rusty
FIRST PRIZE BOURBAN, ‘14-g.
Mr Jess Perry
First Prize Pearl
First Prize Dash
SPEEDHORSE, December 2017 157
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography Coady Photography
