Jazz Be First Posts Strong Performance, Gets Top Qualifying Mark in Hialeah Derby Trials
Dec 17th, 11
In control at the the wire, Jazz Be First posts the top time for the $100,000-added Hialeah Derby on Saturday.
The 10 fastest 3-year-olds from three trial races contested will return on New Year's Eve to contest the $100,000-added event at 440 yards.
Under confident handling by jockey Alex Baldillez, Jr., Jazz Be First caught Makeover Moment after the break and pulled off to an impressive 1-½ length win in the first trial. The time of :21.402, a 104 speed index, was the fastest qualifying mark. Racing for Alejandro Medina, the Bono Jazz colt is trained by Alejandro Medina. It was the fifth career win, first this season, for the 3-year-old.
After kicking off his career in California last season, Jazz Be First traveled to Hoosier Park where he won the $106,700 Governors Stakes. A year ago he made his Florida debut at Hialeah Park, where he won the $111,750 Hialeah Laddie Futurity on December 18th.
In January he started twice at Hialeah while posting a fourth place effort in the $101,670 South Florida Derby. His only other start before today's trials was an off the board performance in the Bob Moore Memorial Stakes (G2) at Remington Park in April. He is 5-2-0 in 11 starts and has earned $132,173.
The Estate of Spencer Childers bred Jazz Be First in California from the Strawfly Special mare Last Shall Be First. She is also the dam of two of the industry's hottest 2-year-olds this season, Last To Fire ($513,284) and Last To Check Him ($277,761). The pair finished second and third in the rich Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity(G1) last weekend.
Under a hand ride by jockey Oscar Delgado, Dash For Cash Derby(G2) winner Wagon To Hollywood won the final trail by 1-¼ lengths, setting the second fastest time :21.527. The M. Heath Taylor trainee earned a speed index of 101 for his effort.
Owned by Narciso Flores, the Pyc Paint Your Wagon colt picked up his fifth win (fourth consecutive) in seven starts this season. The earner of more than $140,000 won the Dash For Cash Derby(G2) on October 8th and a division of the Evangeline Downs Derby on November 19th. Michael and Heath Taylor bred Wagon To Hollywood in Texas from the Streakin La Jolla mare Hollywood La Jolla.
For a complete list of Hialeah Park Derby finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.
The total mutuel handle for the fourth day of the 2011-2012 Quarter Horse season was $168,372, with the on-track crowd estimated at 2,500.
A Sunday card that features the 220-yard Mockingbird, for two years olds, closes out the second week of racing at historic Hialeah Park. First post, as always, is at 1:15 PM. Gates open at 11:30 and this week’s “Family Day” will spotlight “Christmas at Hialeah Park,” with real snow and plenty of related fun for children of all ages.
Thank you to Stallionesearch and Coady Photography