Page 178 - June_2023

RACING NEWS
Leo Stakes-G1
DANJER
by Michael Compton
World Champion Danjer finally earned an elusive victory in the $111,240 Leo Stakes-G1 at Remington Park.
Despite some delays at the gate again this year—the field was backed out of the gates due to issues with two-time defending Leo Stakes champion Jess My Hocks, and Danjer was showing distress in post six. But once all the horses were returned to the gate, Danjer was able to strut his stuff.
Ridden by Francisco Calderon, Danjer broke alertly and grabbed command of the 400-yard test away from the starting gate. He maintained a clear advantage through the
lane and crossed the finish 1-length clear of runner-up Nothin Like You, a 16-1 long shot who finished second.
In a powerful effort, Danjer covered the distance in :19.512 and earned a 98
speed index as the odds-on 3-5 favorite in the field of 10.
“Yeah, we got that monkey off our back,” said trainer-owner-breeder Dean Frey, who campaigns Danjer with partners Downtime Enterprises (Patrick Guthrie) and Billy G. Smith. “He’s just a true professional.”
Winning rider, Francisco Calderon said of the big win, “He was a little bothered by the delay, but he’s just all class and was all about his business.
There’s really not much more I can say about him.”
With the victory, Danjer improved his overall record to an exceptional 34-21-7-3 and the $66,230 winner’s share of the purse increased his lifetime bankroll to a whopping $2,335,398. Now seven years old, Danjer is a winner in six of his last seven starts, dating back to 2022, and his last two victories have come in Grade 1 events.
Bred in Oklahoma by Frey, Danjer is produced from the Take Off Jess mare Shez Jess Toxic, a graded stakes winner.
Runner-up Nothin Like You (Favorite Cartel-Whos Kissin Carter) was ridden by Stormy Smith for Bradbury Racing and trainer John Hammes. Head Patron (Zoomin For Bux-Dash Leader) and jockey Juan Pulido were 3rd for owner Brant Barley and trainer Waylan Melton. Apollitical Redflash (Apollitical Jess-Chalala) was 4th and Stone Cold Leader (Brookstone Bay-Sheza Classy Leader) and Just A Kool Boy (Favorite Cartel-Just Eagle) finished in a deadheat for fifth, then Flash Bak (Moonin the Eagle-Checknbac), Watch Out (Fly Thru the Fire-Look Her Over), Shockinglyfamous (One Famous Eagle-Shocktime TB), and Jess My Hocks (Kiss My Hocks-Jess Charlena) completed the order of finish.
176 SPEEDHORSE
June 2023
Dustin Orona Photography
Remington Park
$111,240 • 400 yards :19.512 • SI 98
First Down Dash
FDD Dynasty
Dinastia Toll BRZ
DANJER, ‘16-g.
Take Off Jess
Shez Jess Toxic
Dashing Fly Lady