Page 206 - April_2023

RACING NEWS
Oklahoma Derby-G3
PROXIMITY
by Danny Camp
The heavyweights were on the inside and the outside, getting most of the attention. Proximity was in the middle of the field and had to fight her way to the front, and she was equal to the task in the 350-yard Oklahoma Derby-G3 hosted by Remington Park. The stakes carried a $234,860 total purse.
It was the second time jockey Francisco Calderon had the mount on Proximity. He waited until the filly had all four legs moving in the same direction then went to work.
By mid-stretch they were a
head in front and at the wire
they were a neck in front. They
stopped the timer at :17.303 to
earn a 101 speed index.
The daughter of Moonin The Eagle also earned the first place check worth $93,944. She has a total bankroll worth $109,554 now, and this was her first win from eight starts.
Her team includes owner Dennis Dreier and trainer
El Primero Del Ano Derby-G2
HES CHICKLESS
by Tracy Gantz
The mother-and-daughter team of Jeryl Hartley and Dana Collum have kept the racing stable and legacy alive of husband
and father Ronald, who died three years ago. Hes Chickless, foaled not long after Ron’s death, won the March 26 El Primero Del Ano Derby-G2 at Los Alamitos.
Hes Chickless went into the El Primero Del Ano Derby at 17-1 against odds-on favorite Party Politics. Both had difficulties at the start, with Party Politics getting
away slowly. Hes Chickless, ridden by Cruz Mendez, overcame a brush at the start to take the lead. Party Politics closed ground, but couldn’t catch Hes Chickless, who won by a neck in :19.789 for 400 yards.
“I was screaming and so excited during the race,” said Dana.
Jeryl and Dana both spoke about Ronald, saying
they know he is with them and is proud of how they are carrying on the stable.
“It’s been tough and hard going on without my dad,” stated Dana. “But we are trying our best.”
John Cooper trained Hes Chickless until the veteran trainer retired last year. Cooper recommended Sergio Morfin, who took over for him. Last year, Hes Chickless won the Ah Sigh Handicap and finished second in the Fred Scane Handicap.
The Hartleys bred Hes Chickless in California from multiple graded stakes-placed Chickitita. The mare has produced five winners from eight starters, including stakes winners Hard Headed Chick and Chickititas Favorite. Chickititas Cartel, one of the mare’s winners, also ran in the El Primero Del Ano Derby, but stumbled at the start.
Jesus Ayala rode Party Politics (Apollitical
Jess-Shanachee) to second for trainer Juan Aleman and owner JGA Racing Stables. Party Politics won last year’s Ed Burke Million Futurity-G1 and Golden State Million Futurity-G1.
Morfin also trains third-place Mahomes Magic (Favorite Cartel-Heartbeat), owned by Eleazar Gonzalez. Juan Leon piloted the colt, a $20,000 claim and an allowance winner.
Dont Sass KVN (KVN Corona-Sassy
On Fire) finished fourth. Revenant Inside (A Revenant-Dying Inside) ran fifth, but was disqualified to eighth for interference. That moved Turbeau (Favorite Cartel-Babe On The Fly), Chester Carlson (Fly Thru The Fire-Coronas Rouge), and Price Fixer (Favorite Cartel- Chickafirst) into fifth, sixth, and seventh, then Revenant Inside. They were followed by Fire Pit (Seperate Interest-Babe On Fire) and Chickititas Cartel (Favorite Cartel- Chickitita).
204 SPEEDHORSE April 2023
Monty Arrossa. She was bred in Oklahoma by Ron & Melany Shalz out of the dam Conspicuous Dynasty, who has produced five foals, with Proximity as her best product.
“This filly ran a great trial race. She got
beat a neck by some fast horses so we knew we had a good chance,” according to trainer Monty Arrossa. “She came off the trials and was doing great. She has been putting on weight since we got her. She got a good break in the finals and the
Lawless Wallace (Tres Seis-Elicity) was fresh off a two in a row win streak and was able to get up for second place this day. The colt is owned by Ronald S. Shaiz, Melany M. Shalz, and Brad Shalz. He is trained by Trey Wood and Jimmy Brooks was in the irons.
Ap Scout (Kiss My Hocks-Apollitical Scout) came into the finals with the second fastest time. He banked the third place check for owner Paragon Farms LLC and trainer Trey Wood. Ricky Ramirez was in the saddle.
The field followed like this: Apollitical Face (Apollitical Jess-Paint Your Face), A Political Eye (Apollitical Jess-Eye For Corona), Pink Kiss (Kiss My Hocks-Pink Cartel), Tres Crystals (Tres Seis- Crystal Sola), Water Or Corona (Kvn Corona- Aquafina), Divas Perry (Fast Prize Cartel-Ms Southern Perry) & Teller Ima Eagle (This Is An Eagle-Teller Baja).
rest is history. She is super nice and well mannered. We learned she likes to be ponied in the mornings instead of gallop. She is a professional in the paddock and in the gates. We are looking down the road at the Heritage Oaks. After that we will listen to her and go the direction best for her.”
Monty added, “We have a great team. I try to hire people that love horses as much as I do, and it shows.”
Amber Mendez, Los Alamitos Myriam Maynard, Speedhorse
Remington Park
$234,860 • 350 yards :17.303 • si 101
One Famous Eagle
Moonin The Eagle
Your First Moon
PROXIMITY, ‘20-f.
FDD Dynasty
Conspicuous Dynasty
Conspicuous Corona
Los Alamitos
$195,200 • 400 yards :19.789 • si 90
One Famous Eagle
Hes Relentless
This Dreams Flying
HES CHICKLESS, ‘20-c.
Tac It Like A Man
Chickitita
The Devine Miss Em