Page 196 - December_2023

RACING NEWS
KJ DESPARADO
by Michael Compton
Prohibitive favorite KJ Desparado left little doubt who was best in the $120,000 Refrigerator Championship-G1 at Lone Star
Park on Nov. 18, winning the 440-yard fixture as much the best.
Ridden by his regular pilot Adrian Ramos, KJ Desparado exited the starting gate in a hurry. Breaking from the far outside in post position No. 10. KJ Desparado assumed command at once and was never headed. He lengthened
his advantage through the lane and scored by
1 1/4-lengths at the finish, defeating second wagering choice Hesa Party Wagon in :21.345. The final clocking earned a speed index of 98.
Campaigned by John and Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares, KJ Desparado is trained by Wesley Giles. The victory marked the sixth Grade 1 win for KJ Depsarado and his second in 2023. It improved his overall record to 22-15-4-0, and the $66,000 winner’s share of the purse swelled his bankroll to more than $3 million. KJ Desparado maintains his title as
194 SPEEDHORSE December 2023
Adrian Ramos and KJ Desparado win the Refrigerator Championship-G1 by 1 1/4-lengths at Lone Star Park.
Refrigerator Championship-G1
Lone Star Park
$120,000 • 440 yards :21.345 • SI 98
KJ DESPARADO, ‘19-g.
Bred by: L&L Land & Cattle
Raced to 4 $3,042,599 22-15(6)-4(3)-0
APOLLITICAL JESS
SI 107
Bred by: Juan Alberto Tirado Lizarraga
Raced to 3 • $1,399,831 14-8(2)-4(2)-0
1,317 f., 134 SW • $65,885,799
MR JESS PERRY SI 113 Bred by: Jesse Perry Raced to 4 • $687,184 21-12(5)-2(1)-0
2,012 f., 166 SW • $61,979,124
APOLLITICAL TIME SI 104
Bred by: Vessels Stallion Farm LLC Raced to 6 • $904,242 35-14(10)-7(2)-5(4)
13 f., 1 SW • $1,538,910
TRES VESES
SI 91
Bred by: Lee & Sherwood Racing LLC Raced to 4 • $7,085
7-0-2-0
8 f., 1 SW • $3,405,650
TRES SEIS SI 97
Bred by: Mrs. Gwendolyn Eaves Raced to 3 • $856,901 12-6(1)-3(3)-3(1)
1,831 f., 69 SW • $29,156,318
FIRST PLACE KATE
Bred by: Jerry Windham Unraced
10 f., 0 SW • $120,609
Myriam Maynard, Speedhorse