Page 158 - December 2021

RACING NEWS
Owners Ruben Mares (second from left) and John Lee (center, hat) are “thumbs up” over their $1,114,816 Texas Classic Futurity-G1 victory with KJ Desparado.
third fastest. In the final, he went off as the 2.20-1 second choice to undefeated Jet Black Grace at 2-1.
“There were some really good horses in there—a couple of undefeated horses,” said Lee.
San Lorenzo Tay was also undefeated. Neither undefeated runner had competed in the All American Futurity finals. Jet Black Grace won his trial, but not fast enough to qualify, while San Lorenzo Tay didn’t compete at Ruidoso Downs. His Texas Classic trial
was his first start since the Remington Park meeting early in the year.
KJ Desparado brought a three-race win
streak into the final and drew the outside post. When the gate opened, he went to the front almost immediately. Edward Ashley, just to his inside, broke a little slowly, giving jockey Adrian Ramos the opportunity to move KJ Desparado more toward the inside.
“The outside was really sticky,” said Lee. “It was really deep on the outside; the inside was a lot faster all night. The last hundred yards he just kind of ran away from them. Adrian got off the whip, held his head up, and let him roll. And that’s what he did.”
KJ Desparado defeated San Lorenzo Tay by 1 1/4 lengths in :19.387 for 400 yards.
“When he’s on the outside and doesn’t get into any trouble, he’s really hard to beat,” Lee said.
KJ Desparado is also a kind horse.
“He has the sweetest heart—he’s just a big ol’ baby,” said Lee. “He’s as gentle as can be. He’s easy to handle and smart as a whip.”
Wesley Giles trains KJ Desparado, who in addition to winning the All American and the Texas Classic and qualifying for the Rainbow, also qualified for the Ruidoso Futurity-G1.
The Lees, who live in Chandler, Arizona, bred KJ Desparado in the name of L&L Land & Cattle in their home state from their homebred Tres Veses. John said that they
KJ Desparado and Adrian Ramos on their way to victory.
156 SPEEDHORSE December 2021
Dustin Orona Photography
Leslie Simmons, Speedhorse