Tortuga Tony Wins Third Running of the Hialeah Park Derby, Fast N Furrious Takes Sophomore
Jan 3rd, 12
HIALEAH, FL—DECEMBER 31, 2011—Under jockey Randy Edison, Tortuga Tony broke sharply and rolled on to victory down the inside in Saturday’s $169,300 Hialeah Derby. he winner was sent to the post as the third choice in the wagering at 3-1 and bested Kt Makin A Tax Move by a neck with the runner-up almost a length in front of race favorite and third-place finisher Jazz Be First.
Winning rider Edison was aboard Tortuga Tony for the first time ever, having been announced at change time on race morning as a replacement for Harold Collins, who was named to ride at entry time and had ridden the gelding in four of his last five starts.
The Stel Corona 3-year-old completed the 440 yard course in :21.456 seconds, a 103 speed index, defeating Kt Makin A Tax Move by a neck. Fastest qualifier Jazz Be First finished three-quarters back to take third.
Racing for Jose Ivanez, the sorrel gelding trained by Jorge Gonzalez picked up $71,106 to push his career bankroll to $221,887. It was the eighth career win in 17 starts for Tortuga Tony. Vaughn Cook and Paul Jones bred the gelding in New Mexico from the Dash To Chivato mare Just Wanna Be Me.
Tortuga Tony was winning for the third time over the local strip and has finished first, second, or third in all six of his starts at Hialeah Park. Last season he was second in the Laddie Futurity and third in the South Florida Derby on January 22nd.
Gustavo Campos Flores' Kt Makin A Tax Move earned $30,474 for his second place effort under jockey Victor Olivo. Victor Gonzalez trains the Maknmoves gelding out of Lanella, by Lanes Leister. Kaylyn Trapp bred Kt Makin A Tax Move in Utah.
Fastest qualifier Jazz Be First finished fastest but had to settle for a show check of $20,316 for owner Alejandro Medina. Alex Baldillez, Jr. had the riding assignment for trainer Ricardo Martinez. The Estate of Spender Childers bred the Bono Jazz colt in California from the multiple stakes producing Strawfly Special mare Last Shall Be First.
Completing the field were Wagon To Hollywood, Flyingwitheagels, Gottabeme, Speed Smith, I Am That Hero and Blood Red Cadillac. Makeover Moment stumbled as the start, losing rider Cody Wainscott.
Fast N Furrious Wins Sophomore Invitational
In Saturday’s co-feature, the $20,000 Hialeah Sophomore Invitational, for the fastest three-year-olds that did not qualify for the Hialeah Derby, Richard Joneson's homebred Fast N Furrious survived two claims of foul to preserve his 1-3/4 length victory over Aquafina.
Fast N Furrious, under Alex Baldillez, Jr., winning the Sophomore Invitational Stakes at Hialeah Park. Coady Photography
Another homebred, Aquafina, picked up $4,000 for owner/breeder Lucas Racing, Inc. by finishing second. The royally bred First Down Dash mare, trained by Ron Raper, is a sister to world champion Wave Carver and champion and leading second crop sire Ocean Runaway. Out of the Runaway Winner mare, Runaway Wave, she has earned $146,143.
Brian Muse saddled Drill Baby Drill who finished one-half length back in third for owner Raymond Petty. Corner K Quarter Horses, LLC bred the Gold Medal Jessgelding in Arkansas from the Chicks Beduino mare Lady Dee Vee Em. Ridden by Jesus Salazar, Drill Baby Drill earned $2,000 for his effort.
Completing he field were Special Ela, Ruby Sonnet, Mr Beduino Lookaway, Or Black Warrior, Paintyourownwagon, One Famous Cookie and No Yellow Snow.
The total mutuel handle for the ninth day of the 2011-2012 Quarter Horse season was $222,952 with the on-track crowd estimated at 3,000.
Thank you to stallionesearch and Coady Photography