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Tempting Barbie’s winning connections include owner Vista Del Sol, Inc., trainer Marco Flores and jockey Esgar Ramirez.
Tempting Barbie broke her maiden May 5 in her trial for the Four Corners, completing her 350-yard out in :17.505, which topped the qualifying ladder.
“We were thrilled that she posted the fastest qualifying time,” said Alvarez, who noted he has been around the horse racing world for his entire life but incorporated his business under the Vista del Sol name last year. “Sometimes, some of those horses that’ll post the fastest time for the trials ... they don’t come back good
for the finals. Some horses might need three weeks. We were fortunate that she came back good. She was ready to go.”
That’s putting it mildly. Tempting Barbie surpassed her field-topping trial time in the futurity, finishing in :17.356 for a 102 speed index. Marco Flores trains Tempting Barbie, who was ridden in the stakes final by Esgar Ramirez. Sergio Becerra, Jr., had the call aboard Tempting Barbie in the trials, but opted to ride another horse in the stakes race.
“My trainer, he’s been putting really good work into the other horses that we have with him,” Alvarez noted. “As far as the jockey, Esgar, he’s one of the top jockeys in New Mexico.”
William E. Smith bred Tempting Barbie out of Itea, a 2011 mare who has black type herself, from a runner-up finish in the 2013 version of the Firecracker Futurity-G2 at Delta Downs. Tempting Barbie becomes the fifth of Itea’s foals to earn black type.
Alvarez also won this race two years ago with another filly sired by Tempting Dash: Tempting Dreamgirl. He has more in the sights for Tempting Barbie, who already is
paid into the Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso and the La Fiesta at Albuquerque.
One Little Liar (One Valiant Hero-Pretty Little Liar) made a steady run for second place. The gelding is owned by Adrian Zapata and trained by Ricardo Armendariz, Jr. Juan Pulido was in the irons. Playin Quarters (Open Me A Corona-HImaintenancegal) hit the board in third for owner Jill Giles and trainer Wesley Giles. Adrian Ramos had the riding assignment.
The remaining order of finish was Hope Hes Special (Special Effort-Hopey Chick), Eagles Diva (This Is An Eagle-Coronas Hot Girl), Nola Brees (Kiss My Hocks-Where Eagles Soar), Sheza Lil Ponte (Duponte- Shez A Cartel), Monero (Duponte-Jess A Sweetie), Benkelman (Seperate Interest-Babe On Fire) and A And J Wild Card (Docs Best Card-MIshtique). Alebrije and War Lord V both scratched.
Tempting Barbie is guided to the winner’s circle.
SPEEDHORSE
June 2023 175
RACING NEWS
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