Dec 21st, 09
Royally bred Little Surfer sets a New Track Record in the Hialeah Derby ....

HIALEAH, FL—DECEMBER 19, 2009—All-time Leading Quarter Horse trainer Paul Jones has now won stakes from coast-to-coast in 2009 after adding the inaugural running of the $140,410 Hialeah Derby to his repertoire Saturday afternoon.

Jones sent out long-shot Little Surfer to her first stakes win and a track record performance on Saturday afternoon for owner Lucas Racning, Inc.

The full-sister to world champion Wave Carver, champion Ocean Runaway and grade 1 winner Trisk completed the 440 yard course in :21.656 seconds under jockey Larry Payne. Grade 1 stakes-placed runner Vertical Vision set the previous track record of :21.735 in the December 5th derby trials at the South Florida racetrack.

After an off-the-board performance in the La Primera Del Ano Derby at Los Alamitos Race Course in April, Little Surfer had failed to qualify for both the Dash For Cash and Texas Classic Derbies at Lone Star Park this fall before finishing fourth in her trial for the Hialeah Derby December 5 in her most recent start.

The winner's purse of $58,972 pushed the royally bred daughter of First Down Dash's earnings to nearly $80,000. The gray filly was bred in Maryland by her owner.

Jane Acedo and Angel Quintana's Hes A Copy Cat was a neck off the winner to earn $25,274. Adrian Soto saddled the Fit To Fly colt ridden by Santos Carrizales.

A nose back for third was Sc Captivator for Wade Siegel and Don Boyle. Also trained by Jones, the Oak Tree Special gelding earned $15,849 for his effort. David Alvarez was riding.

Completing the field were Sixes Sign, Vertical Vision, Brookhiser, Plain Shady, Rc Mezoom and Lady Streakin Leader. Pt Flow Home was a steward's scratch.

Amalaya Wins Hialeah Sophomore Invitational

William S. Smith's Amalaya picked up the winner's check of $18,000 after scoring a ½ length victory in the $30,000 Hialeah Sophomore Invitational on the Hialeah Park undercard Saturday.

The Azoom filly saddled by Jack Murray completed the 440 yards in :21.920. William Ives was aboard the winner.

Spring Bling, a full-sister to two-time champion Strawkins finished second for owners Donald and Peggy Boyle. Saddled by Paul Jones and ridden by Larry Payne, the Hawkinson filly earned $ $6,000 for her effort.

Another Azoom filly, Shez On The Zoom, was a head back for third. Racing for Dan and Erin Knox, the bay filly was saddled by Judd Kearl and ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo. She earned $3,000 .

Completing the field were Bold Badon, Little Miss Cartel, Wild Choice, A True Hawk and Kas A Stickeychic.

Live American Quarter Horse racing resumes Sunday at Hialeah Park with a first post of 2:05 p.m. and continues four days a week, Sunday through Tuesday, through February 2. A ‘Christmas Village’ will be presented at Hialeah Park tomorrow, featuring a real snow slide, igloo, holiday rides and games and an appearance by Santa Claus. All fans in attendance will receive a free official program while supplies last. Gates open at 1 p.m. Parking and admission are always free.