Page 167 - December 2021

When asked what the key was to Danjer’s success, Frey said, “He’s just been well taken care of and he’s very sound. He’s very correct. He’s very smart. And he’s very fast.”
Cody Smith, Danjer’s regular rider, might be better known for his exploits on Paints but didn’t hesitate to call the gelding one of the best Quarter Horses he had ridden.
“I’ve rode some good ones, but he’s darn sure different from the rest,” Smith said. “It doesn’t matter whether he’s hauling from Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas. No matter where you take him, he runs the same race every time, no matter the track conditions. He’s the same wherever you take him. He’s honest.”
Breaking from the 11-gate in a 12-horse field, Danjer broke in the middle of the pack but came on strong at the end. He led by a head going into the stretch then drew clear during the final yards, sporting a 1 1/4-length margin at the wire. The 440-yard trip took :21.184 for a 105 speed index.
Smith took over as Danjer’s jockey when Cody Jensen retired.
“I paired him with Cody Smith and I’ve got no regrets. As far as I can tell, it’s a perfect match,” Frey said.
“I tell Dean all the time, I really honestly don’t believe that horse would have amounted to what he is in someone’s stable other than Dean’s,” Smith added. He’s done everything in his power to do right by the horse. He treats him like a son, actually.”
Frey also bred Danjer, who is out of Shez Jess Toxic, a 2009 mare and multiple stakes
winner whose record includes a victory in the 2011 running of the AQHA Juvenile Challenge Championship-G2.
Danjer will spend the winter in California, out to pasture and be right back at it in 2022, assuming he remains sound.
“I’d like to thank all those racetracks that he raced at, for giving us such nice races to run in,” Frey said. “He raced at Remington Park, Canterbury, Ruidoso, the Downs at Albuquerque, and then he ran at Lone Star. A big thanks to all of those tracks from me.”
Another graded stakes winner, Mi Amor Secreto (The Louisiana Cartel-Streakin In Secret) finished second for Carol Ann Mays. The Santos Carrizales Jr. trainee had Juan Pulido in the irons.
Jess My Hocks (Kiss My Hocks-Jess Charlena), a 26-1 longshot, hit the board in third for Tom and Kathleen McNally. Michelle
Hurdle is the trainer and Agustin Silva did the riding. Jess My Hocks handed Danjer one of his two losses this year in the Leo Stakes-G1 at Remington Park.
Completing the field were Perrys Double Down (Mr Jess Perry-Double Down Darling), No Mires A La Luna (First Moonflash-Dont Looke Ethel), Midday News (FDD Dynasty- Summer Love Song), Eagles Fly Higher (One Famous Eagle-Lone Bet), Don Chuy C (First Moonflash-Jess Say Bye Bye), Colby James (Jesse James Jr-Sandy June Bug), The Grand Legend (FDD Going Grand-Legendary Seis), Steal The Candy (Jess Good Candy-She Travels) and Apocalyptical Jess (Apollitical Jess-Cassandra Crest).
This race is named for World Champion Refrigerator, who earned over $2 million in his career.
RACING NEWS
Danjer’s winning connections include owners Downtime Enterprises LLC, Billy Smith and Dean Frey, who also trains the gelding and jockey Cody Smith.
Danjer on his way to 1 1/4-length victory.
SPEEDHORSE December 2021 165
Dustin Orona Photography Dustin Orona Photography