Page 176 - August 2021

RACING NEWS
Firecracker Derby-G3
HES INNOCENT
by Michael Cusortelli
Priscilla Rodriguez’s Hes Innocent com- pleted the “Firecracker Double” at Delta Downs. Last year’s winner of the Firecracker
Futurity, the colt scored a 1-length victory in the $196,995 Firecracker Derby-G3 at Delta Downs on July 19.
Ridden by David Alvarez for trainer Martin Trejo and racing on a muddy and sealed track, Hes Innocent covered 400 yards in :19.786. The colt earned a 91 speed index
and the $98,497 winner’s share
of the purse.
Hes Innocent was the fourth-fastest qualifier from four trials contested on June 28. He was bred in Oklahoma by Debbie Strebig out of winner End Of Innocence. His second dam, the winning Mito Isle mare Mito Suzy, ran third in the 1990 Diamond Classic Derby-RG3 at
Casper, Wyoming.
AQHA Pocatello Downs Derby Challenge
Hes Innocent was one of two Firecracker Derby finalists qualified by conditioner Trejo. The other, Javier Ramirez’s Sirprince Knockout, finished fourth.
“I was very happy to qualify two horses to this race,” stated Trejo. “I really liked them both. They both came back very well after their trials, and I knew I had something (good) to compete in this final.”
Jess-Shazooms Pop Pop) earned $33,489 for her owner, CT Racing Stables. A $30,000 purchase at the 2019 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, the Texas-bred filly was ridden by Luis Vivanco for trainer Eric Long.
Fastest qualifier and 6-5 favorite Dirtwater Dash (Sir Runaway Dash-Dashin Kate Perry) finished third. Everardo Rodriguez rode the gray gelding and $12,500 yearling buy for owner Rosendo Valdez and trainer Rosendo Valdez Jr.
Sirprince Knockout (Dominyun-Adolph Tres Knockout), Diane To Be A Hero (Valiant Hero-Diane To Paint), Fear The Dragon (Favorite Cartel-Hidden Dragon), Synergized (Dominyun-Its Corona Thirty), KK Blue Wagon (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Sandra Sue Blue), Hennessy Xo TLC (The Louisiana Cartel-XO Kate) and Lucchesse (Inseperable-Las Alamitos) completed the order of finish.
in second for owner Robert L. Harrison and trainer Heath Hillman. The filly won the Gary and Sharilyn Blattner Memorial Derby last month. She also won the WHR Open Futurity last year.
Im Renee (Im Alright Now-Tips Tie) over- came a poor start to capture third place under Nick Newbold for owner Tim Parkinson Jr. and trainer David Newbold. The filly finished fifth in her June 18 trial.
No Hesitation (Favorite Cartel-Mia Ta Fame), Proud Movin Renegade (Maknmoves- Proud Moon Bug), Cancelled Flight (Favorite Cartel-Separate Flight), Babes Fabulous Eagle (One Famous Eagle-Gone Babie Gone), Zoomin For Sher (Zoomin For Bux-Game Too Strong) and Fortunes Wild Blood (Apollitical Blood-Cartels Fortune) followed. Jess Dressed In Blue was scratched.
Raced in two states, including Texas, Hes Innocent has won six of
eight starts and has banked $327,107, and his three career stakes wins include last
year’s $371,415 Firecracker Futurity-G2. The colt ended his 2-year-old campaign with a victory in the $54,274 Texas Classic Juvenile Stakes at Lone Star Park.
Runner-up Pops First Lady (Apollitical
THE PRIZE FERARRI
by Danny Camp
The Prize Ferarri banked the first place check in the $44,320 Adequan Pocatello Derby Challenge on June 30.
The gelding came into the finals with the second fastest qualifying time after winning his June 18 trial. When the money was on the line in the finals, he broke from the 5-post on the lead and never looked back. Regular rider Jesus Canales offered limited encouragement, just enough to win. They crossed the line a 1/2-length in front stopping
the timer in :19.878 for 98
speed index.
The gelding also earned the first place check of $20,388, which ups his
total earnings to $72,164. His race record stands at six wins out of ten races. His team includes owners RTM Stables, Robin Dunn, Kevin Dunn and Bryon Goody. Mark Hanson is in charge of his conditioning.
Bred in Oklahoma by Weetona Stanley, the gelding is out of the mare Ferarri Fast Prize, an ROM earner with 35 foals. Ferrari James is her best product.
“This guy has a hair trigger, and he was
a beast to break,” said trainer Hanson. “Now, he is pleasant to be around, he’s good to gal- lop and good in the gates. He will give you his all every race, he comes back tired. He is athletic, he doesn’t have to be standing square
in the gates to get away good. He is a professional and doesn’t make mistakes, just a pleasure to train. We bought him out of the Heritage Place Yearling Sale for $22,000, so far that was a great invest- ment. We are looking down the road to the Bitterroot Derby, but we will do what’s best for the horse.”
Pattys Saint (Jess Got Easier-SP Saint Patty) and jockey Jesus Virgen finished
174 SPEEDHORSE August 2021
Delta Downs
$196,995 • 400 yards :19.786 • si 91
One Famous Eagle
Hes Relentless
xThis Dreams Flying
HES INNOCENT, ‘18-c.
Volcom
End Of Innocence
Mito Suzy
Pocatello Downs
$44,320 • 400 yards :19.878 • si 98
Corona Cartel
The Louisiana Cartel
The Louisiana Girl
THE PRIZE FERARRI, ‘18-g.
Mr Jess Perry
Ferarri Fast Prize
Fast First Prize
Kira Cook Coady Photography