Page 193 - January 2021

NEWS BRIEFS
Evangeline Downs Meet Leaders
Evangeline Downs ended their Quarter Horse meet on Dec. 19, declaring their meet lead- ers: Rosendo Valdez was the leading owner with 10 wins; Trey Ellis was the leading trainer with 24 wins; and David Alvarez the leading jockey with 45 wins, riding three back-to-back stakes winners on closing day in the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity-RG1, LQHBA Breeders’ Derby, and Louisiana Invitational Stakes.
Jess Jones
Jess Jones (Mr Jess Perry-Disco Del Rey, Disco Jerry TB) will stand the 2021 season at Collett Equine in Henryetta, Oklahoma. The 2-time New Track Record setter earned $164,159 winning 10 races, including the SLM Big Daddy Stakes-G3, Paul’s Valley Handicap-G3, Expo Square Stakes and Oklahoma Centennial Stakes. Jess Jones, who was named Oklahoma Hi-Point Aged Stallion twice, is a stakes sire of 3/4-million in earners including 3-time Graded stakes winner Madewell si 119 ($238,115) who won the 2020 AQHA Distance Challenge Championship-G1. Jess Jones is owned by J.D. Anderson and will stand for a fee of $1,000.
Karen Utecht Passes Away
Speedhorse is deeply saddened by the passing of longtime American Paint Horse Association Director of Racing Karen Utecht on Jan. 4. Karen worked for Speedhorse in the early 1980’s and was instrumental in initiat- ing an online database. She is the recipient of the 2020 Paul Harber Racing Distinguished Award. Karen is survived by husband Mike, a daughter, her mother, and many family mem- bers and friends.
SPEEDHORSE PHOTO ARCHIVES
Can you identify the jockey in this photo? Here’s a hint: He was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2005. The answer is on page 193.
SPEEDHORSE January 2021 191