Page 171 - December 2017

Town Policy Stakes
LOTTA BLUES MAN
by Tracy Gantz
Though several horses veered at the start of the Nov. 11 Town Policy Stakes, compromising their chances, even-money favorite Lotta Blues Man performed just as expected.
With Cesar DeAlba in the saddle, Lotta Blues Man broke second and quickly sped to the lead. He kept increasing his advantage throughout the 400 yards, crossing the finish line 1 1/2-lengths in front in :19.746.
Mike Casselman trains Lotta Blues Man for Russell & Lisa Stooks’ Lucky Seven Ranch, which also bred the gelding in California. Lotta Blues Man won last year’s Golden State Million Futurity-G1
and just missed in the 2016 Los Alamitos $2 Million Futurity-G1. He has placed in two other stakes.
The $13,750 winner’s share pushed his earnings to $906,685 and his race record is now 13-7(2)-2(2)-1(1).
The Stooks bred Lotta Blues Man in California by buying an embryo out of stakes-placed Lotta Love For Robyn. The mare has produced four winners in five starters, including 2015 Rainbow Futurity-G1 and Texas Classic Futurity-G1 winner Tres Friends and stakes-placed Agent Carter.
J. Francisco Diaz’s homebred One Sweet Runner (One Sweet Jess-Check Her Running), under jockey Jesus Ayala, took second over third-place Staggering Stride (Mr Jess Perry-Dinastia Toll BRZ), ridden by Jose Nicasio. Lindolfo Diaz trains One Sweet Runner, who finished third in this year’s Governor’s Cup Derby-G3. Christopher O’Dell trains Staggering Stride for owner Abigail Kawananakoa. Staggering Stride won this year’s La Pacifica Handicap.
Completing the field were Trippys Royal
Jess (Apollitical Jess-Trippys Royal Dash), G S Wintermeyer (Favorite Cartel-My Donna Doll), AJs Anna Smoke (Separatist-Annas Babe), Apollitical Spirit (Mr Jess Perry-Apollitical Time), and Youre Gonna Mish Me (Coronas Leaving You-Le Mishka). Well Good was scratched.
Corona Chick Handicap
JESSTACARTEL
by John Moorehouse
Jesstacartel added to an already banner rookie campaign, running away with victory in the $20,000 Corona Chick Handicap held Nov. 18 at Los Alamitos.
Emerging from the 3-gate under jockey Cruz Mendez, Jesstacartel jostled a rival early in the race but settled down and quickly asserted himself as the class of the field. The gelding led by 1/2-length at the first call, widened the gap to 1 1/4-lengths enter- ing the stretch, and showed a late burst to hit the wire sporting a comfortable 2 1/4-length margin.
Home-bred by Lesley Joyner, Jesstacartel logged his fourth straight win. That streak includes two stakes races—he won last month’s Autumn Handicap at this same track. Completing this victorious 400-yard trip in :19.933, Jesstacartel has four career wins all at different distances: 300, 330, 350 and 400 yards. The gelding has made five total outs—all at Los Alamitos.
Mark Skeen trains Jesstacartel, a 2-1 choice at the betting window who registered an 88 speed index and banked an $11,000 payday that improved the gelding’s cumulative earnings to $37,700.
Joyner, the wife of former 16-year Major League Baseball veteran Wally Joyner, also home-bred Stolmeacartel, a lightly-raced 2010 mare who is the dam of Jesstacartel. The gelding is her only foal to date.
Perfect Az Can Be (Texas Icon-Jess Perfect Girl), finished second for owner Omar Placencia and trainer Kristen Watanabe. Eddie Garcia drew the riding assignment. Chowchilla Chickadee (Foose- Buzz Chick), who was previously undefeated, placed third. The filly is owned by Bill Absher and Leland Decker and trained by John Cooper. Cesar DeAlba was aboard.
Hard Headed Chick (Hard Hitting-Chickitita) and California Blossom (Desirio-Quiero Dinero) completed the order of finish.
A Ransom Handicap
DUCK DASH N GO
by Tracy Gantz
Duck Dash N Go didn’t let traffic trouble keep her from back-to-back stakes victories. With her triumph in the A Ransom Handicap at Los Alamitos
on Dec. 8, she became a multiple stakes winner. About 25 yards into the 350-yard race, Duck Dash N Go was bumped. Jockey Rodrigo Aceves
managed to straighten her out, and they flew to the front to post a 1/2-length win in :17.729. She brought home the $13,750 winner’s share of the purse, pushing her total bankroll to $65,942.
“She’s been ultra-consistent her whole life,” said Monty Arrossa, who trains the filly for owner Vincent Treyes.
Duck Dash N Go was winning her ninth time in 17 starts. Her previous stakes wins came in the Rebs Little Lulu Handicap on Oct. 27 and 2016 Oneida County Fair Futurity where she set a 300-yard New Track Record.
Bobby Cox bred Duck Dash N Go in Oklahoma from 6-time winner Duck Mea Running. The Oklahoma Hi-Point 3-Year-Old Filly, who set two New Track Records at 220 and 350 yards, has produced 100% money earners from nine start-
ers, including stakes-placed Makit Snappi, her top earner. Duck Dash N Go is her first stakes winner. Ron Hartley’s homebred Myfavoritestreaker
(Favorite Cartel-Checkoutthestreaker) finished sec- ond with Cesar DeAlba aboard. John Cooper trains the gelding. Dr. Ed Allred’s homebred Loud Little Kid (Kiddy Up-Thinking Out Loud) ran third under Vinnie Bednar for trainer Scott Willoughby.
Remembering Florence (TR Dasher-Sables Bono) finished fourth but was disqualified to fifth, moving Hold Sway (Foose-Feminista) into fourth. Then fol- lowed Apollitical Spirit (Mr Jess Perry-Apollitical Time), Tarzanito (Favorite Cartel-Ancient Empress), One Sweet Runner (One Sweet Jess-Check Her Running) & Scholarly (TR Dasher-Now You Comeat Noon).
Los Alamitos • $20,000 400 yards • :19.933 • si 88
One Sweet Jess JESSTACARTEL, ‘15-g.
Streakin La Jolla
Scoopie Fein
Dash For Cash
Stolmeacartel
Lady Signature
Los Alamitos • $25,000 400 yards • :19.746 • si 92
Favorite Cartel LOTTA BLUES MAN, ’14-g.
Favorite Trick TB
Shenoshercorona
First Down Dash
Lotta Love For Robyn
Love Ya Miss Jess
Los Alamitos • $25,000 350 yards • :17.729 • si 89
Corona Cartel
Coronas Fast Dash
DUCK DASH N GO, ‘14-f.
Dash Fast Girl
Tour De Kas
Duck Mea Running
Delta Duck
SPEEDHORSE, December 2017 169
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