Page 150 - Speedhorse June 2019

New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2
HONKY TONK DADDY
by Michael Cusortelli
Sent to post at odds of 10-1 in a full field of 10 state-bred two year olds, US Alliance Logistic’s Honky Tonk Daddy sprinted to
a clean neck victory in the $393,483 New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2 at Sunland Park on May 5.
Honky Tonk Daddy set the eighth-fastest qualifying time in the New Mexican Spring Futurity from her 1/2-length victory in the second of 11 trials on April 13. The trials marked her first official start.
In the finals, Honky Tonk Daddy broke on the lead from the inside post position. She had a head at the top of the stretch, dueling all the while with fastest qualifier Colby James. Honky Tonk Daddy held on and was the best of the field as she hit the wire a neck in front.
The filly covered the 300 yards in :15.127 and earned a career-best 95 speed index while aided by a reported 12-mph tail wind. Jockey Ricky Ramirez rode the filly for trainer Jose Luis Muela.
In winning the New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2 finals, the $184,937 win-
ner’s share - the second-richest in the stakes’ 25-year history - pushed Honky Tonk Daddy’s
total bankroll to $190,277 from just two outs.
Honky Tonk Daddy was bred by Mac and Janis Murray’s MJ Farms in Veguita, New Mexico.
The filly was a $14,000 yearling purchase at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs.
Honky Tonk Daddy is one
of three winners from as many
starters produced by Jenna
James, a homebred nine-year-old daughter of the Mr Jess Perry stallion Jesse James Jr. Jenna James won the 2007 West Texas Futurity-G1 at Sunland Park and Rainbow Futurity-G1 at Ruidoso Downs.
Honky Tonk Daddy is a full sister to Jenna Cartel, a winner and finalist in last year’s $134,387 New Mexico State Fair Breeders’ Derby at Albuquerque Downs.
Honky Tonk Daddy’s second dam is Wild Vines, who was a finalist in the 2003 Albuquerque Spring Derby in New Mexico. Wild Vines has foaled eight winners from
18 starters, including Wild Six, a multiple Grade 1 winner and All American Futurity finalist who is a half-sister to Jenna James.
Honky Tonk Daddy traces back to her third dam, Famous Chapelle, a homebred graded stakes winning daughter of the First Down Dash stallion Dash Ta Fame. Famous Chapelle is the dam of 2003
New Mexico Breeders’ Derby-RG3 winner Arbor Mist, among others.
All of the qualifiers to the New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2 made their first start in the April 13 trials.
Colby James (Jesse James Jr-Sandy June Bug), the fastest qualifier and 7-2 favorite, finished in second place and earned $70,827 for owner Rex Wells, who acquired the sorrel gelding from breeder MJ Farms for $15,000 at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale. A full brother to 2013 Zia Derby-RG3 winner Junior June Bug and a half-brother to graded
Sunland Park $393,483 • 300 yards :15.127 • si 95
Corona Cartel
Big Daddy Cartel
Miss Racy Eyes
HONKY TONK DADDY, ‘17-f.
Jesse James Jr
Jenna James
Wild Vines
148 SPEEDHORSE, June 2019
Honky Tonk Daddy and Ricky Ramirez receive every call in the $393,483 New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2
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