Page 197 - April2022

As Adams noted after the race in an interview with Stallionesearch.com, he actually purchased Signs Of Livewire based on nothing else but a Facebook photo. The colt was bred by Alexia Willis, who posted the picture of the colt when he was just two days old.
The winningest Paint trainer of all time, Keener won this race for the fifth time in his career. The other Keener trainees to reach the winner’s circle in this futurity include Captain Capi, Miss Movin On, Fast Attitude and Linda Lajolla.
“I’ve been fortunate,” Keener said. “I’ve had some good horses and good owners.”
It was also a noteworthy result for Signs Of Livewire’s jockey, Jesus Salazar, who notched his first big stakes victory since suffering major injuries in a vehicular accident three years ago where his car rolled at high speeds.
“It’s a pretty neat deal for him,” Keener said. “He won his first big stakes race, the Speedhorse Derby, for me when he was 17 years old.”
Adams and Salazar both won this race for the first time.
Signs Of Livewire finished his futurity trial in :15.679 against a 14 mph headwind to top the qualifying ladder and returned even quicker, covering the 300 yards in :15.377— with a 5 mph headwind present—for a 92 speed index.
Despite a lengthy stint in the gates while another horse had issues with its bridle, Signs Of Lifewire made a fast start, breaking on top from the inside hole. The colt led by a head going into the stretch then went on to win by a 1/2-length margin.
“We had to stand in the gate for quite
a while,” Keener said, adding, “He stood perfect until the last horse went in and kind
of moved his front feet. But he did get away from there good.
“It seems like he had a lot of speed.”
Willis bred Signs Of Livewire out of Signs Of PYC, an unraced 2014 Quarter Horse mare. CRM Livewire sired five of the 10 horses in the field, including Signs Of Livewire.
This race was open to Paints and Appaloosas but the field in this version consisted entirely of Paints. The OSC Goldenboy APHA (CRM Livewire APHA- Chicks Lacerta APHA), the post-time favorite, finished second by daylight for Almada Racing. The Santos Carrizales, Jr., trainee had Juan Pulido in the irons. Wagon N Treasure APHA
(CRM Livewire APHA-Wagonette APHA), a 23-1 longshot, surprised in third. The gelding is owned by Bryan Hawk and trained by Ty Blackwell. Fernando Fonesca-Soto drew the riding assignment.
Shouldahadthewhiskey APHA (Gitter Dun Turnpike-Expressions N Snow), Zazas Island Girl APHA (CRM Livewire-Fantastic Follies QH), Cowgirl Cartel APHA (Dash Master Jess QH-Camo Cowgirl), Wired Hot Bentley APHA (CRM Livewire-Bentley James QH-), Electric Tales APHA (Wagon Tales QH-Sparketta) and Turnpikers Eagle APHA (One Fabulous Eagle QH-Paint Me Turnpike) completed the order of finish. Salt Wire was scratched.
RACING NEWS
Signs Of Livewire’s winning connections include owner Jeff Adams, trainer Dee Keener and jockey Jesus Salazar.
Jockey Jesus Salazr and daughter Reina with owner Jeff Adams and trainer Dee Keener.
SPEEDHORSE April 2022 195
Myriam Maynard, Speedhorse Leslie Simmons, Speedhorse