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RACING NEWS
Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Futurity-RG2
MR INNOVATOR
Ruidoso Downs
$279,872 • 350 yards :17.436 • si 98
BIG DADDY CARTEL
si 94
Bred by: Sunflower Supply Co. Raced to 2 • $121,800 5-3-0-0
605 f., 20 SW • $10,176,441
CORONA CARTEL si 97
Bred by: Robert D. Etchandy Raced to 3 • $557,142 14-6(3)-3-0
2006 f., 183 SW • $65,188,530
Bred by: Mikkelson Racing LLC
Raced to 2 $131,440 3-3(1)-0-0
MISS RACY EYES si 98 Bred by: S K T Farms Inc. Raced to 4 • $133,195 15-3(1)-3-1(1)
21 f., 1 SW • $470,265
TOTAL MIRACLE
si 98
Bred by: Diamond P Ranch Raced to 5 • $76,898 21-6-2(1)-4(2)
10 f., 2 SW • $837,097
DEAN MIRACLE si 104
Bred by: Mrs. Gwendolyn Eaves Raced to 5 • $199,601 28-8(2)-5(4)-5(4)
756 f., 25 SW • $11,988,608
RECKLESS COIN
Bred by: Clark Wood Jr. Unraced
11 f., 2 SW • $501,351
by John Moorehouse
By continuing the perfect start to his career, Mr Innovator captured a mile- stone achievement for his owner, Cody Cobb.
With his gate-to-wire run to victory in the $279,872 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Futurity-RG2 on June 20 at Ruidoso Downs, Mr Innovator helped Cobb notch his first Graded stakes win as an owner.
A two-year-old gray gelding, Mr Innovator is now 3-0 in as many starts. He debuted at Remington Park in an April maiden, then won his trial for the Mountain Top Futurity, covering the 350 yards in :17.859 to top the qualifying ladder.
That made Mr Innovator the post-time favorite for the main event, and he delivered. The young gelding broke on top out of the No. 8 hole and never looked back, opening a 1/2-length lead as he reached the first call and expanding his advantage to win by 1-length. He also surpassed his field-topping effort in the trials, finishing in :17.436 and registering a 98 speed index.
James Gonzales II trains Mr Innovator, and Mario Delgado was aboard for the break- through, stakes-winning performance.
“When he broke like he did, I knew that we were going to roll,” Delgado said after the race in a press release by the track. “He has been so impressive from the start even when we were breaking him. He’s a special horse that contin- ues to improve every trip.”
Mr Innovator brought home a $117,546 payday for Cobb, who purchased the gelding from Mikkelson Racing LLC, which bred the gelding out of Total Miracle, a stakes-placed 2001 mare who now has produced multiple stakes winners herself. Total Miracle’s brood includes Princess Jesse, a winner of multiple restricted Graded stakes events. Mr Innovator’s total bankroll now stands at $131,440.
After the race, Cobb talked about the future plans for his promising gelding, which include more runs on the lucrative New Mexico circuit.
“We’ll discuss our options going forward, but right now he’s headed to the Zia Futurity,” Cobb said in the Ruidoso press release. “That’s where we’re pointing, and then we might take a look at the All American if the horse continues to show his abilities.”
Azara (A Royal Jess-Camelia) came on strong late to snatch runner-up honors for MRB Racing LLC. Manuel Rodriguez is the trainer and Raul Herrera did the riding. Renika (Big Daddy Cartel-Woodys Allstar) finished
third under Emilio Tapia for owner Triple R Racing Stables, LLC and trainer Jason Driver, and thus hit the board in a restricted Graded stakes for the second time this season.
Followed by Jess Ring The Bell (Jess A Chicks-First Tinkerbell), Daddys Dream Girl
(Big Daddy Cartel-Frosty Dreams), Borderan (Big Daddy Cartel-Bridgette Bordeaux), Lil Rev (A Revenant-Natalie Dash), Run Time (Big Daddy Cartel-First Prize Amanda),
and Tosma (Big Daddy Cartel-Golly Zee). Chicksbabycartel scratched.
122 SPEEDHORSE July 2021
Mr Innovator winning the Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Futurity
Ruidoso Downs
MR INNOVATOR, ‘19-g.