Gol TJKA
-photo by Gene Wilson & Associates


MB Boots Magic
-photo by Gene Wilson & Associates


CountingSheep
-photo by Gene Wilson & Associates

(Monday, March 22, 2004) - Racing at Manor Downs this past weekend was highlighted by the runnings of the $198,240 Longhorn Futurity (Gr. II) for two-year-olds and the $105,190 Longhorn Derby for three-year-olds.

Gol TJKA Takes Longhorn Futurity

With the second highest odds in the field at $16.20-to-1, Gol TJKA took off with Gilbert Ortiz up and never looked back to take the prestigious Longhorn Futurity (Gr. II) finals at Manor Downs on Saturday, March 20, for trainer M. Heath Taylor. Gol TJKA captured the 300-yard race in 15.670 seconds to earn a 94 speed index.

Gol TJKA is owned by partners Teddy Abrams, Jr. of Houston, Texas and Kourtney Ortiz of Floresville, Texas. The three-year-old gelding took home the winner’s share of $99,120 of the $198,240 purse.

Gol TJKA was bred in Texas by Moses and Gloria Berban and is an accredited Texas-bred. The two-year-old sorrel gelding is by Gol out of the Moolah Wrangler mare Lady Chantal.

Gol TJKA also won his trial heat. His victory in the Longhorn Futurity ran his record to a perfect two for two.

Favored Beautiful Bunny Buds, under jockey Esgar Ramirez, had a little trouble in the gate but came rolling from behind to finish second by a nose for trainer Terry Luera, just edging out Randy Read’s Fly Me Try Me, who was ridden by Dewey Smith. Beautiful Bunny Buds earned $39,648 for owner/trainer Terry Luera for second, while Michael Read’s Fly Me Try Me earned $19,824 for third.

Six Persimmons, guided by Alfonso Lujan, held off second choice DLJ Social Climber, ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo, to clinch fourth place. He was followed closely past the wire by Kompressor, who was ridden by Raul Ramirez, Jr. King Norris, Delaware Bug, La Jollas Grace and Mr Chenchito completed the order of finish.

Gol TJKA paid $34.40 for his victory, $9.60 to place, and $6.80 to show. Beautiful Bunny Buds paid $7.00 to place and $5.40 to show, while Fly Me Try Me paid $8.20 to show. The exacta paid $201.60, the quinella paid $76.80, and the superfecta paid $3,487.40 for a 6-10-5-ALL ticket.

Longhorn Futurity Invitational Goes To Favored MB Boots Magic

Going off as the favorite and getting the only clean start, MB Boots Magic took to the front of the pack and prevailed over Ace of Southwest and Chief’s First Dash to win the Longhorn Futurity Invitational on Sunday, March 21, at Manor Downs. MB Boots Magic was ridden to victory by Rodrigo Vallejo and finished the 300-yard race for two year olds in 15.700 seconds for trainer Janie Hernandez.

MB Boots Magic is owned by SA Ranch, which belongs to Manuel “Bebe” Gonzalez, Jr. of Alamo, Texas. Gonzalez is also a member of the Texas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (Quarter Horse, Paint & Appaloosa) board of directors.

The purse was $18,530, and MB Boots Magic earned $11,118 for first place. The Longhorn Futurity Invitational was MB Boots Magic’s second start and second win. Our congratulations go out to Bebe!

Chemo Chay ran fourth, followed past the line by Fly To New Heights, General Beduino, Magically Disapeared, Our Last Lady, Tell No One and Runaway Nightmare.

Counting Sheep Beats La Torch in a Photo Finish for the Longhorn Derby

Counting Sheep and La Torch dueled it out with A Runaway Creek for a close photo finish in the 350-yard finals of the Longhorn Derby on Sunday, March 21, at Manor Downs. At the wire, it was Counting Sheep that took the honors by a nose for owner Bobby D. Moore of Midlothian, Texas. Counting Sheep crossed the wire in 17.660 under jockey Alfonso Lujan to earn a 98 speed index.

Counting Sheep is trained by owner Moore’s son, Lance. A three-year-old sorrel gelding by Count Corona out of the The Signature mare The Dream Date, Counting Sheep added $52,595 of the $105,190 purse to his bankroll, bringing his lifetime earnings to $126,976 in 13 starts. He was bred in California by the Double Bar S Ranch, LLC.

Owned by Rodrigo Saldana and ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo, La Torch ran a 17.670 to also earn a 98 speed index and $21,038 for the second place finish. A Runaway Creek earned $10,519, finishing third for owner Mario J. Villarreal. A Runaway Creek was followed past the finish line by Mr Ottyes, Open For Sure, Jess The First, Ryan O Toole, Lavishly Royal, and Holdem R Foldem.

Perfect Royal Dash, trained by Bobby Martinez and ridden by J. R. Ramirez, ducked in at the gap, lost his jockey, broke through the rail, and was caught in the infield. Both the jockey and horse walked away uninjured.

The final race of the day was cancelled due to unsafe (the damaged rail) riding conditions.