Page 164 - COVER__October2020.indd

RACING NEWS
Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap
SASS MO BLUE
by Tracy Gantz
Just four years ago, Mike Casselman saddled Sass Me Blue to win the Mildred N. Vessels Memorial Handicap-G1 for Russell and Lisa Stooks’ Lucky Seven Ranch. Now he trains the mare’s son, Sass Mo Blue, for Lucky Seven and captured the $25,000 Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap at Los Alamitos for them on Aug. 29.
Favored at 9-10 and ridden by Oscar Peinado
in the Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap, Sass Mo Blue broke outwardly in second and sped to the front. Despite Peinado losing his whip, Sass Mo Blue won by a head, completing 350 yards in :17.697 and post- ing a 92 speed index.
Third twice at two last year, Sass Mo Blue won his first two races of 2020. He qualified for the Golden State Derby-G2, but finished unplaced after being bumped and in tight quarters.
“He kind of got himself left in the Golden State Derby final,” said Casselman.
Lucky Seven bred Sass Mo Blue in California. In addition to Sass Mo Blue, Sass Me Blue has produced two starters and winners: Sass Go Blue, winner of the 2019 PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity-G2, and Sassies Blues Girl, who finished third in the 2020 Pat Hyland Memorial Handicap.
Martha Wells’ homebred Fayvorite Chick (Favorite Cartel-Chicks Tell) finished second under jockey Juan Leon for trainer Matthew Fales. The filly has won two of her 14 previous races.
Guillermo Suarez piloted Mister Tornado (Sports Cartel-Spanish Sola Mark) to third. Felix Gonzalez trains the gelding for owner Fernando Flores. Mister Tornado won the 2020 Adequan Los Alamitos Derby Challenge.
All Prettied Up (Favorite Cartel-Pretty
Jet High) finished fourth, followed by Wrong Impression (Stel Corona-Fool The Boys) in fifth. Doctor Gene was scratched.
Catchmeinyourdreams H.
ZOOMIN FOR SPUDS
by Tracy Gantz
The racing industry lost Jim Walker earlier
this year at age 87, and Zoomin For Spuds, a horse he foaled himself and loved from a baby, honored his owner by winning the $15,000 Catchmeinyourdreams Handicap at Los Alamitos on Sept. 19.
When Zoomin For Spuds jumped a four-rail fence at 4 1/2 months of age, Walker “knew he was something special.” That special gelding won the Champion of Champions-G1 for Walker in 2016, one of 12 total stakes for the 7 year old.
In the Catchmeinyourdreams, Zoomin For Spuds broke on top from the three-post for jockey Jose Nicasio. He had 3/4-lengths at the first call and 1 1/4-length at the top of the stretch, widening his advantage through the 330 yards to score by 1 1/2-lengths in 16.459.
Monty Arrossa trains Zoomin For Spuds for
the Walker Family Trust. Jim Walker bred Zoomin For Spuds out of winner A Perfect Cocktail. The mare has produced six winners from seven starters, including stakes winners Bux For Cocktail and Jesses Perfect One and stakes-placed Doing Trix and Apollitical Patty.
Bos Time Machine (Bodacious Dash-One Prompt Chick), who won the Catchmeinyourdreams last year, was 2nd in 2020 edition under jockey Jesus Ayala. Paul Jones trains the 4-year-old for owners Dee & Gary Hoovestal. Bos Time Machine has won the Brad McKinzie Los Alamitos Winter Championship-G1
& Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap. Tac Me Up (Kiddy Up-Tacatrina) was 3rd for owners Ruth Barbour and Colten & Wendy O’Dell. The Christopher O’Dell trainee was ridden by Eduardo Nicasio. Tac Me Up won this year’s Cypress Handicap and placed in 4 other stakes in 2020. Kissed By An Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Dreaming Of Kisses) was 4th & Golden Boy Gonza (Fast Prize Cartel-Dashways) fifth.
Shopatour
SPEEDHORSE
ApparelStore
Visit speedhorse.com for a full line of SPEEDHORSE apparel.
TeeShirts Hoodies Jackets Vests LaundryTotes HatHangers ToteBags Hats&Caps
Los Alamitos • $25,000
350 yards • :17.697 • si 92
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Jess
SASS MO BLUE, ‘17-g. Sass Me Blue
Apollitical Time Valiant Hero
Jess Sass Me
Los Alamitos • $15,000
330 yards • :16.459 • si 104
Shazoom
Zoomin For Bux
Oh No Its Uh Oh
Corona Cocktail
A Perfect Cocktail
ZOOMIN FOR SPUDS, ‘13-g.
A Perfect Strawberry
162 SPEEDHORSE October 2020
Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos