Page 245 - September2021

Indiana Grand Classic
VALIANTINECANDYROCKS
by Michael Cusortelli
Valiantinecandyrocks, a homebred 5-year-old daughter of the First Down Dash stallion Valiant Hero racing for Lance and Tammy Finlinson, earned her 2nd career stakes win in the $83,580 Indiana Grand Classic at Indiana Grand on Aug. 14.
Trained by Randy Smith, Valiantinecandyrocks led at every call while covering 400 yards in :19.647 under jockey Sammy Mendez, and her margin of vic- tory was 1-length over Relentless Chick. The black mare earned a 102 speed index while banking the $45,969 winner’s share of the purse.
Valiantinecandyrocks was bred in Indiana. Her dam, Jesses Candy, is a winning 14-year-old Mr Jess Perry mare. Valiantinecandyrocks traces back to her 2nd dam, Send Me The Candy, who won the 1996 Remington Park Futurity-G1.
“When this mare was born, Lance immediately liked her,” said Tammy Finlinson. “I can’t describe how much this mare means to him. This is his baby. He’s just so excited every time she runs.”
Raced exclusively in Indiana, she has earned $168,654 and has won 8 of 17 starts, and her 6 wins in 10 outs at the 400-yard trip include a neck victory in last year’s Indiana Grand Classic.
PLJ Farms LLC’s Relentless Chick (Hes Relentless- Meaningful Memories) was 2nd under Erik Esqueda for trainer Karin Yike.
Beach Diva (Escondido Beach-Flashin Dee Dee) finished 3rd for her owner Sheri Miller. Anthony Cunningham prepped and Rolando Pina rode.
Followed by On A New Note (One Fabulous Eagle-Corona Cerveza), Beach Mercedes (Escondido Beach-Jess Alive Bully), Shaw Island Senator (Louisiana Senator-Sea Island Dancer), Flyweight Carver (Wave Carver-Flaming Chivas), Shes Relentlesswagon (Hes Relentless-Sassie Wagon), My Pillow (Favorite Cartel-Iba Quick Chick) & CC Moonflash (First Moonflash-CC Kachina Eagle).
Ontario Sires Stakes Maturity
FIESTY ICON
by Michael Cusortelli
Fiesty Icon, a 9-year-old son of the Mr Jess Perry stallion Sugarman Perry owned and trained by Richard W. Kennedy, earned his fifth career stakes victory in the Aug. 18, $33,361 Ontario Sires’ Maturity at Ajax Downs near Toronto.
Sent to post at odds of 6-1 and aided by a reported 9-mph tail wind, Fiesty Icon went 330 yards in :16.733 while defeating 8-5 favorite Firing Red Jess by a neck. Tony Phillips rode the sorrel gelding.
“He broke so hard that he actually stumbled a bit,” said Phillips of Fiesty Icon’s trip. “He recovered rapidly, and he just started running them down. The more he went on, the better he got.”
Fiesty Icon was bred in Ontario by Picov Cattle Co. Campaigned exclusively at Ajax Downs, the gelding has won 21 of 53 races, including the 2016 and 2019 Ontario Sires’ Maturity, and the $13,480 winner’s share of this purse bumped his earnings
to $295,497. He was last year’s Horse of the Year
at Ajax Downs, as he banked $45,197 from nine starts and won the $41,618 Alex Picov Memorial Championship.
”He still loves to race, and he wants to race,” said Kennedy. “I’m blessed to have him.”
Firing Red Jess (Mr Jess Tex-Easily Holland) banked $6,740 to bring his earnings to $84,729
from 28 outs for owner George Coleman. Josh Scott rode the 5-year-old gelding for trainer Scott Reid. Night Fishn (Sugarman Perry-Fisher Lines) ran
third, 3/4-length behind Fiesty Icon for owner Mary Schrama. Cory Spataro rode the homebred 7-year-old mare for trainer Dan Giles. Followed by Jess Carolinas Award (Winners Award-Jess Carolina), Tres On Fire (Fire Finder-Quick Six Lady), Usain Colt (Star Fire Dash-Magic Ta Fame), Arctic Fame (Dash To The Arctic-Magic Ta Fame), Momsextravagantheart (Look At Magics Form-Extravagant Moves), and Shaken (Look At Magics Form-Shake Pretty Baby).
Ontario Bred Derby
COUNTRYFRIED CHICKEN
by Danny Camp
Countryfried Chicken has won three out of his last four outs since Helen Vanek has taken over the riding assignment. His latest victory was the
Ontario Bred Derby held at Ajax Downs. It was a 300-yard stakes that carried a total purse of $45,573.
The gelding was the fastest qualifier after the July 28 trials were said and done. In the finals he stepped away from the number five post and Helen did her part. They were a head in front at the mid- way point and they finished that way. They stopped the clock at :15.317 to earn a 97 speed index.
The gelding also earned the first place check worth $18,230. He now has a total bankroll of $56,308, and his race record stands at four wins out of 15 outs.
His team includes owner Milena Kwiecien and trainer Jason Pascoe.
Countryfried Chicken was bred in Ontario, Canada, out of the mare La Wanda. She is a ROM earner and has produced two foals, Countryfried Chicken is her best product.
Twixt Of Fate (Streakin Six Cartel-Eyesa Quick) was the second fastest qualifier. In the finals he was the second place finisher. Connections include owner Richard Wincikaby and trainer Michelle Woodley. Cory Spataro was in the irons.
Bogie Wheels (El Night Shift-Cash Into Vegas) had the fifth fastest time after the trials. In the finals he stepped it up a couple of notches finishing third. He is owned by James Bogar and trained by Barry Wood. Tony Phillips was handling the reins.
The field finished in this order Whos Hot Now (Sugarman Perry-Zoomin Hot), Whisky James (Ivory James-Easily Holland), Had To Be Relentless (Hes Relentless-Had To Be Fandango), Hanover Hill Theresa (Sugarman Perry-Ethoria TB). Hanover Hill Lynda, Jess Raven and Memory Of Griffin were all scratched.
RACING NEWS
Indiana Grand • $83,580
400 yards • :19.647 • si 102
First Down Dash
Corona Chick
VALIANTINECANDYROCKS, ‘16-m.
Mr Jess Perry
Valiant Hero
Jesses Candy
Send Me The Candy
Ajax Downs • $45,573
300 yards • :15.317 • si 97
Chicks Beduino
Country Chicks Man
Country Zevi
COUNTRYFRIED CHICKEN, ‘18-g.
FDD Dynasty
La Wanda
Turnin Tricks
Ajax Downs • $33,361
330 yards • :16.733 • si 101
Mr Jess Perry
Sugarman Perry
FIESTY ICON, ‘12-g. Fiesty Spirit
Down Town Miss Special Effort
Go Dashing Nancy
SPEEDHORSE September 2021 243
Coady Photography
Clive Cohen
Clive Cohen