Page 137 - May 2021

by Michael Compton
Valiant Tiberias, a 5-year-old gelded son of Valiant Hero, continues to get better with age. In just his second start of the year, the classy veteran registered his third con- secutive graded stakes victory with a powerful performance in the $100,000 Sooner State Stakes-RG1 at Remington Park on April 17.
With James Flores in the irons, Valiant Tiberias broke alertly in the 400-yard event and showed the way over
eight rivals early. Never
seriously threatened through
the lane, Valiant Tiberias
maintained a clear advantage
and drew off to win by a
length as much the best. Sent
off as the odds-on favorite, he
stopped the timer in :19.503
and earned a 95 speed index.
“I just kept him busy the whole race, and he is just super good,” said Flores, who won the race for the fourth time.
Owned by Sergio Holguin, Cliften
Nielsen, and Felix Rodriguez of Odessa,
Texas, and trained by Marco Chavez- Gutierrez, Valiant Tiberias improved his impressive record to 21-10-3-3 and the $57,600 winner’s share of the purse increased his life- time earnings to $661,533.
Bred in Oklahoma by Reliance Ranches, Valiant Tiberias is produced from the Feature
Mr Jess mare American Feature. The gelding has
now rattled off three straight graded wins dating back to last year. All told, the well- traveled warrior also owns victories in the Refrigerator Stakes-G1 at Lone Star Park, the Championship Stakes-G1 at Sunland Park, the Championship Challenge-G2 at Remington Park, and
the Mr Jet Moore Stakes at Ruidoso Downs.
Runner-up Oatman Creek Senator (Louisiana Senator-Eyesa Lil Cuervo), a 2020 stakes winner, and jockey Raul Ramirez Jr closed ground late to secure the place spot for owner and breeder Wootan Racing and trainer Michael Joiner.
Jess My Hocks (Kiss My Hocks-Jess Charlena) and Agustin Silva overcame a bump early to rally for third. The multiple stakes winner is a homebred for Tom and Kathleen McNally and is trained by Michelle Hurdle.
Eagles Fly Higher (One Famous Eagle-Lone Bet), Jesse D (Jess Louisiana Blue-Sonny D), HR Storm On In (Red Storm Cat-Scentsy),
Mr Dillard (Hes Relentless-Quions), Hooked On a Win (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Pretty
Girl Kate) and Regard to Cartel (Coronado Cartel-Regarding Dancer) completed the order of finish.
RACING NEWS
Sooner State Stakes-RG1
VALIANT TIBERIAS
All entries will be published in Speedhorse Magazine and the Winning Owner Will Receive a Beautiful Trophy!
Want to put your new baby in the spotlight?
Remington Park
$100,000 • 400 yards :19.503 • si 95
First Down Dash
Valiant Hero
Corona Chick
VALIANT TIBERIAS, ‘16-g.
Feature Mr Jess
American Feature
Allamericandreamgirl
Send Us A Photograph Of Your “Future Stakes Winner!”
Email or Mail Your Photo Today!
Entries Must Include Sex Of The Foal, Sire & Dam, Along With Owner’s Name & Photo Of The Foal.
Contest Ends July 1, 2021
SPEEDHORSE
P. O. Box 1000 • Norman, Oklahoma 73070 (405) 310-4651 • info@speedhorse.com
SPEEDHORSE May 2021 135
Dustin Orona Photography