Friday, June 18, 2010
An Ocean Rocket, a Texas-bred gelding by champion Ocean Runaway, won the first of three Adequan New Mexico Derby Challenge (G3) trials at Ruidoso Downs on Thursday, posting the fastest qualifying time for the July 2 final.
Ridden by Joe Martinez for owner Ronnie Armstrong and trainer C. Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath, An Ocean Rocket defeated second-fastest qualifier Nikomon by a nose while making his 400-yard trip in :19.843. The gelding was sent to post at odds of 23-1 and returned a $48 win mutuel while scoring his third win in six starts.
An Ocean Rocket was bred in Texas by Muller Racing LLC, and he is one of 53 winners from 146 starters sired by Ocean Runaway, the sport’s champion 2-year-old in 2004 and champion sophomore colt the following year. Now 8, Ocean Runaway has sired six stakes winners and the earners of more than $1.7 million from two crops. He stands at 6666 Ranch at Guthrie, Texas.
On March 28, An Ocean Rocket won a 330-yard, $10,000 claiming race at Remington Park. The gelding is one of two winners from three starters foaled by his dam, the winning Ronas Ryon mare Bebes Ronas Rocket.
The winner of the $27,500-added New Mexico Derby Challenge final will earn a starting berth in the November 20, $200,000 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G1) at Fair Grounds Racecourse in New Orleans. The complete list of qualifiers:
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Horse (Sex, Pedigree)
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Owner
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Breeder (State)
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Trainer
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Time
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AN OCEAN ROCKET
G, Ocean Runaway-Bebes Ronas Rocket by Ronas Ryon
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Ronnie Armstrong
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Muller Racing LLC (TX)
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C. Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath
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:19.843
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|
NIKOMON
C, Pretty Boy Perry-A Honey Of A Dash by First Down Dash
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Francisco Yanez
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Ah Sigh Enterprises Inc. (CA)
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Martin Orona Sr.
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:19.848
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|
APOLLITICAL JESS
C, Mr Jess Perry-Apollitical Time by Apollo (TB)
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Rancho el Cabresto Inc.
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Juan Alberto Tirado Lizarraga (CA)
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Juan Aleman
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:19.911
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SILK MOUNTAIN
F, Panther Mountain-Silk Showcase (TB) by Ferrara (TB)
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Joel Valeriano and Joel Valeriano Jr.
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Danny Speiss (TX)
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Ralph Muniz
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:19.911
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GILDED GOLD
F, First Down Dash-Jazzes Charger by Jazzing Hi
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Fredda Draper. Lola Willis, and Sheryl A. Cox
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Vessels Stallion Farm LLC, Decker, Prather (CA)
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Carl Draper
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:19.941
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FINDING CHICKS
G, Looking For Chicks-Toodledoo Otoole by Jody O Toole
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Faustino Rodriguez Jr. and L.A. Dominguez
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Freddie K. Yamaguchi (TX)
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Carlos Aguilar
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:19.950
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STREAKIN WITH STYLE
F, Streakin La Jolla-Asno Storm by This Snow Is Royal
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Jose A. Olivas
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Vessels Stallion Farm LLC (CA)
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James J. Gonzales II
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:19.988
|
|
COWBOYS CARTEL
C, Corona Cartel-Dashing Folly by First Down Dash
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Curtis L. Guss
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Burnett Ranches Ltd. (TX)
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Patrick Swan
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:20.014
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|
EFFORTLESS JESSIE
F, Mr Jess Perry-Effortless Illusion by Special Effort
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Reed Land & Cattle Co. LLC
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Johnny Trotter (CA)
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Heath Reed
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:20.038
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DASHEN CORONA
F, Shazoom-First Down Corona by First Down Dash
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William & Mary Robertson
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Israel Flores (TX)
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Jorge Valenzuela
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:20.038
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