Page 170 - September 2015

Mile High Futurity
LETS GET ON BOARD
by Michael Compton
For young trainer Jonathan Chavira, Lets Get On Board’s game victory in the $203,210 Mile High Futurity at Arapahoe Park on Aug.
16 will not be soon forgotten. It was the first big futurity win for Chavira, 23, the son of veteran horseman and trainer Luz Chavira.
Racing for Georgina Chavira and Rito Sosa, Lets Get On Board showed the way early in the 400-yard fixture. He battled the length of the lane with Swingit Lika Man, and the pair of co-favorites hit the finish together with Lets Get On Board prevailing by a neck.
Lets Get on Board received every call and stopped the timer in :19.554 to earn a speed index of 99 with Daniel Torres in the saddle. He broke his maiden in his trial heat on July 30 with a 2 3/4-length victory for the second fastest qualifying time. The gelding is now a winner in two of six starts, while the $81,284 winner’s share of the purse has increased his lifetime bankroll to $91,914.
“He went into the final really well,” noted Chavira, who currently has six horses in train- ing. “He was training strongly. He ran well, everything went as we had hoped. It is defi- nitely a very gratifying win. Winning any kind of race is a thrill, but this is my first futurity, so it’s very exciting.”
When unveiled in March, Lets Get On Board finished second, beaten just a head in the trials for the Oklahoma Futurity-G2. He qualified for the main event, where
he finished sixth. He hit the board in his next outing, checking in third in the Laico Bird Stakes.
Chavira indicated that
getting his charge to break
smoothly from the starting
gate required some time. After winning back- to-back starts, Lets Gets On Board is clearly over any issues he may have had with the gate.
“We knew once he got going that he was going to be a good horse,” said Chavira. “I always thought he was a nice horse. Our main concern with him was the gates. Early in his training, we thought if he learns to break well that he will do well for himself. The gates aren’t an issue anymore.”
Bred in Oklahoma by Thomas Bradbury, Lets Get on Board is the initial stakes winner for the winless mare Let Me Upgrade, who has had foaled three winners from seven starters, including stakes placed Upgraded.
Mile High Futurity runner-up Swingit Lika Man (Tac It Like a Man-Swingin Cartel) just missed in a solid effort under Russell Vicchrilli. The Oklahoma-bred colt races for owner Santos Lopez and
is trained by Miguel Pena. Swingit Lika Man captured his June career debut and fin- ished second in his trial heat.
Bye Byefreighttrain (Freighttrain B-Bye Bye
Bygones) chased the top 2 from start to finish 3rd. Cesar Gomez piloted the Oklahoma-bred sorrel gelding for owner L.P. Frank & trainer Kasey Willis. Bye Byefreighttrain was 2nd in his first 2 starts and then rattled off consecutive wins at Arapahoe before the Mile High Futurity.
Followed by Benefactress (Mr Jess Perry-Dividends Declared), CF Humbuckin (Givinintaroyaleffort-Ohares Secret), Streakin PR (Corona Cartel-Bonnie Streakin), Bachichanator (Carters Cartel-Nine to Midnight-TB) & My Valiant Chick (Valiant Hero-My Blueberry Chick). Abeachindynasty & Three Olives N Smoke, a winner of 5 con- secutive races, were scratched.
Arapahoe Park $203,210 • 400 yards :19.554 • si 99
Corona Cartel
PYC Paint Your Wagon
Dashin Follies
LETS GET ON BOARD, ‘13-g.
This Show Is Royal
Let Me Upgrade
Better Think Twice
168 SPEEDHORSE, September 2015
Lets Get On Board & Daniel Torres go wire-to-wire to win the $203,210 Mile High Futurity
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography