Page 160 - December 2017

Zia Park Championship-G1
JESSIES FIRST DOWN
by Danny Camp
In a field full of stars, the one that shone the bright- est on Nov. 22 at Zia Park was Jessies First Down, winner of the Zia Park Championship-G1, a 440-
yard affair that was worth a total of $150,000. Even money favorite Jessies First Down broke
clean from the number 6-post and took command immediately. Jockey Rodrigo Vallejo sat quiet as a shadow, and they crossed the finish line 1 3/4-lengths in front to stop the timer in :21.795 for a 92 speed index. The 6-year-old gelding now possesses a race record of 33-15(10)-11(6)-1, and the $90,000 winner’s share increased his earnings to $1,011,034.
His team includes owner/breeder Ted Abrams and trainer James Padgett II.
Jessies First Down was bred in Texas out of 2-time winner/Grade 1 finalist Jess A Classy Lassy. The mare has produced 100% winners from six start- ers. 2016 World Champion/2-time Champion Jessies First Down is her first stakes winner and top earner. The gelding also set a New Track Record earlier this year at Sam Houston Race Course for 440 yards.
The race for second place was won by TF Im That Guy (First Down Dash-TF Ms Special Perry). The colt was ridden by Manuel Gutierrez for owner Victor Diaz and trainer Martin Orona Jr.
The photo showed JM Country Man (Mr Jess Perry-Sumokin) was third. His team includes owner Juan and Sergio Castro, Cynthia Gonzalez was in charge of saddling. Mauro Salcedo was in the irons.
De La Eagle (One Famous Eagle-La Reina De La Noche), Rarin (Inseperable-Rare Kayoh), Magestic Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Catalina Fantasy), Machismo Moon (Heza Motor Scooter-Machi Moon), Knockemout Capi (Capo De Capi-Eyesa Knockout), Imperial Eagle (One Famous Eagle- Jenuine Joy) & Watch My Wallet Loto (Mr Piloto- Cocopata) completed the order of finish. Cobalt Creek & Marseille scratched.
New Mexico F&M Champ.-RG1
RUNNING DRAGON
by Michael Cusortelli
Facing distaffers for the first time in nearly seven months, Running Dragon scored a neck victory in the $140,000 New Mexico Fillies and Mares
Championship-RG1 at Zia Park on Nov. 22. Running Dragon went 400 yards in :19.755 and
earned a 90 speed index under jockey Adrian Ramos. Juan Gonzalez prepped the homebred three-year-old gray filly for the breeder/owner, El Paso, Texas-based By By JJ Limited Partnership.
Running Dragon was shortening in distance off of her 4th place finish, behind winner Major Bites, in the 440-yard $170,000 Namehimastreaker New Mexico Cup Championship-RG1 at Zia Park on Oct.29. Campaigned exclusively in New Mexico, Running Dragon has won 11 of 17 starts, and the $84,000 winner’s share of the purse from her sixth stakes score pushed her bankroll to $695,842. Her record includes 5 additonal stakes wins, all in graded stakes company.
The filly is one of two starters foaled by the lightly raced mare Banking Lane. Running Dragon’s third dam, Quick Step Disco, won the 1994 Ruidoso Horse Sale Futurity-RG3 at Sunland Park.
Princess Jessie Jane (Jesse James Jr-A Scootin Princess) was second. Jose Luis Enriquez rode the sorrel 3-year-old filly for owner Daniel Nunez and trainer Jose Luis Muela. First Vegas Moon (First Moonflash-Bestseatintown) ran third for owner RC Racing LLC. Manuel Gutierrez rode the sophomore filly for trainer Martin Orona Sr.
Sixie Won (Ketel Won-Shelbys Twiggy), Straw Fly Flower (Dashair-Strawflinfire), Princess Jesse (Jesse James Jr-Total Miracle), Get Down Bambi (Get Down Perry-Chilly Force), Carson City Girl (Woodbridge-Racetrack Barbie), Lady Version (Winners Version-Numbered Lady) & Eyesawagon (Gonamakeyoureyesblue-Wagons Maiden) com- pleted the order of finish.
Lovington Stakes-G2
ONCE OVER
by Danny Camp
Once Over has found his groove. The 8-year-old gelding has won five of his last seven races, with the latest in the 400-yard Lovington Stakes-G2
at Zia Park on Nov. 5
Once Over got a good start and was out on top
from the 4-post. He was a head in front at first call and was able to maintain that lead throughout. Steady urging from jockey Raul Herrera helped him stay focused, and stop the timer at :19.511 to earn a 96 speed index. Including first place money of $30,000, the gelding has now earned a total of $290,785 and owns a race record of 31-10(6)-7(4)-2(1).
Connections for the gelding include owner Bujanda Racing Stables and trainer Jose Marquez. Once Over was bred in California by Edward Allred out of multiple stakes winner Look Her Over, who earned $173,326. The mare has produced 100% earners from 16 starters, including multiple stakes winner Take A Look and stakes placed runners Dashing Over and Look Of A Dasher. Multiple Grade 1 winner He Looks Hot is her top earner.
TF Im That Guy (First Down Dash-TF Ms Special Perry) was on the hunt every step of the way and collected second place money. His team includes owner Victor Diaz and trainer Martin Orona. Alejandro Medellin was in the saddle.
Third place went to Cobalt Creek (Walk Thru Fire-Checknbac) who is owned by VWP Jr Inc. John Stinebaugh was in charge of saddling and Ricky Ramirez was handling the reins.
Rarin (Inseperable-Rare Kayoh), Don Quixote (Stel Corona-Romanticist), Jess Burnin (One Sweet Jess-Burnin Bye), De La Eagle (One Famous Eagle-La Reina De La Noche), Prospects Smashing (Coronas Prospect-Tres Smashes It), Karls Motor Boat (Heza Motor Scooter-Phoebe Wallingford) & Wager On A Moon (First Moonflash-Wager On A Cartel) com- pleted the field. Hailofadasher was scratched.
Zia Park • $150,000 440 yards • :21.795 • si 92
First Down Dash Dinastia Toll BRZ
Mr Jess Perry
Jess A Classy Lassy
FDD Dynasty JESSIES FIRST DOWN, ’11-g
Mighty Classy Lassy
Zia Park • $140,000 400 yards • :19.755 • si 90
Zulu Dragon RUNNING DRAGON, ’14-f.
Banking Lane
First Down Dash Hidden Dragon Devon Lane TB Banking Disco
Zia Park • $50,000 400 yards • :19.511 • si 96
Walk Thru Fire ONCE OVER, ’09-g.
Look Her Over
First Down Dash Sweet Beduino Check Him Out Oh La Proud
158 SPEEDHORSE, December 2017
RACING NEWS
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Coady Photography
Coady Photography