Page 53 - 27 April 2012

New Mexican Spring Futurity-rG2
PJ ChiCk iN BlACk
by John Moorehouse
Carl Draper’s enjoyed more than his fair share of success in the horse racing busi- ness. He also likes to spread the wealth. So it
wasn’t that long ago that Draper approached Denny Bowen, who shoes all of Draper’s horses, with an offer.
Eddie Jym, a promis- ing potential brood- mare owned by Carl and wife Fredda, had seen her own competi- tive career cut short by
a knee injury. Draper made Bowen a deal; if he would feed and take care of Eddie Jym until she was ready to breed, they would split ownership of her first offspring.
The foal in question is
PJ Chick In Black, and on April 8, the 2-year- old filly provided a major return on Bowen’s investment. PJ Chick In Black came on strong late to win the $251,359 New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2, improving to 2-0 in as many outs and bringing home a $118,139 payday for her owners.
“I’m so glad for him because he’d have to shoe a lot of horses to make as much as his filly made yesterday, through hard sweat and work,” Draper said. “I like helping people and knew this was gonna be a good mare. Well, (Eddie
Jym) is a good mare so I knew she was capable of producing good babies.”
PJ Chick In Black has looked quite good so far. She broke her maiden by winning her trial for the Spring Fling Futurity, qualifying fourth
for the stakes final.
PJ Chick In Black failed to
break on top in the futurity, but jockey Esgar Ramirez urged the filly to make a big move from the outside, grabbing the lead in the final 100 yards and separating herself to win by one length in rather convincing fashion.
Prepped by Carl Draper, the filly covered the 300 yards in :14.912 to tally a 95 speed index, topping the :15.001 and 92 index registered in the trials.
good mares bred to him, and I’ve done that.” Desirio posted three stakes wins and
topped a quarter-million dollars in earnings during a three-year racing career. “What he earned, he did through three bone surgeries and another surgery,” Draper observed. “What would he have earned if he had not had all that? He’s a fabulous horse and his babies have class on class.”
Eddie Jym posted three wins during a 15-race career before becoming a broodmare.
Richard McGehee’s Junior June Bug (Jesse James Jr-Sandy June Bug) finished in second place. The Jackie Riddle trainee had Freddie Martinez aboard.
Tombstone and Conn Creek, both stablemates under trainer Carlos Sedillo, dead-heated for third. Gary Thompson owns Tombstone (Get Down Perry-Because Shes Royal), who had jockey Oscar Ortega in the irons. Paul Blanchard owns Conn Creek (Dash Ta Fame-Champagne Lane), the pre-race bet- ting favorite and fastest qualifier. Joe Martinez did the riding.
Famous Jesse (Jesse James Jr-Famous Sandy), Posies Desiria (Desirio-Posies),
Ms James (Jesse James Jr-Arbor Mist), Reacorona Jr (Jesse James Jr-Reacorona), Major Freddie Jr (Jesse James Jr-Desert Rime) and Gotcha By The Jewels (Jesse James Jr-Sheza Snow Jewel) rounded out the field’s finishing order.
Sunland Park $251,359 • 300 yards :14.912 • si 95
Strawfly Special
Desirio
Lady Tenaya
PJ CHICK IN BLACK, ’10-f.
Corona Cocktail
Eddie Jym
Minnie Coup
“She’s a big filly already,” “Long neck, long body, very
Draper said.
smart, wants to do everything she’s supposed to do. She can really run. And the farther she goes the better she’ll be.”
The Drapers also own Eddie Jym, the aforementioned 2004 dam of PJ Chick In Black, but Carl Draper seemed just as pleased for what this stakes win means for Desirio, the filly’s sire. Draper also trained Desirio and said he owns a share of that stallion, who he described as “one of the nicest young stallions in the country. All he needs is to have some
PJ Chick In Black scores a one-length win in the $251,359 New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2 at Sunland Park.
SPEEDHORSE, April 27, 2012 51
racing news
Tommie Morelos: Coady Photography