Page 203 - December_2023

The winning connections for Chicka Boom Babe include owners Robert M. Driggers and Ben Lee Ivey, trainer Wes Giles and jockey Adrian Ramos.
In the New Mexico Classic Futurity-RG2 final, Chicka Boom Babe was one of several who broke sharply, and she surged forward for jockey Adrian Ramos. Drest For Success on the rail began to drift out, despite the right-handed urging of jockey Noe Garcia, Jr. Six horses came to the wire separated by heads, noses and necks, with Drest For Success finishing first by a head over Chicka Boom Babe.
However, in drifting out, especially late in the 350 yards, Drest For Success impeded fifth- place finisher Jess Paid, prompting the stewards to post the inquiry sign and Jess Paid’s trainer, Humberto Tena, Jr., to lodge an objection. After a long look at the replays, the stewards disqualified Drest For Success and placed her fifth, moving Chicka Boom Babe to first. Chicka Boom Babe completed the distance in :17.338, resulting in a 103 speed index.
Giles trains Chicka Boom Babe for owners Robert M. Driggers and Ben Lee Ivey. This was the filly’s fourth victory in eight starts. Giles has had her from the beginning and said that “she’s always been pretty good—she’s got a little spunk.”
Ivey Cattle Co. bred Chicka Boom Babe in New Mexico from homebred winner Riverside Babe, a winning daughter of First Moonflash. Ivey Cattle Co. has been involved with Chicka Boom Babe’s first three dams, including Riverside Eye Opener, the second dam who ran second in the 2004 La Mariposa Handicap-G3. Riverside Babe has produced three winners from four starters.
Miss Baby Cartel (Big Daddy Cartel- Double Moon Baby), ridden by Jorge
Nieto-Saenz, finished third and was placed second after the disqualification. Ramon Mendoza trains the filly for owners Felix Rodriguez and Sergio Holguin. Miss Baby Cartel is still a maiden in five starts.
Jumpn Runn (Jumpn Chic-Run N Pie), piloted by Luis Martinez, finished fourth and was placed third after the disqualification. CHR Racing owns the gelding, who is trained by Jesus Rondan, Jr. Jumpn Runn finished second in the 2023 New Mexico State Fair Juvenile Stakes.
Jess Paid (Jess A Chicks-Jesstifiable Debt) finished fifth and was placed fourth after the disqualification, with first-place finisher Drest For Success (Jet Black Patriot-Devilwitha Bluedress) placed fifth. Then followed by Lil Newt (One Handsome Man-Go Baby Gone), Big Posies Cartel (Big Daddy Cartel-Posies Woodette), KJ Hartookiss Two (Big Daddy Cartel-Hartookiss), Young Emperor (Eye Am King-Ima China Rush), and Mr Jess Effort (TF Featured Effort-Beyond 15).
Kassandra and jockey Adrian Ramos is pictured with breeder and co-owner Ben Lee Ivey of Ivey Cattle Company and Kathy Ivey.
RACING NEWS
SPEEDHORSE December 2023 201
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