July 25, 2010 - First Down Dash colt Hes Too Icy For Me picked up his first stakes win in the $625,000 Rainbow Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs.
Hes Too Icy For Me broke ninth, but quickly made his way to second, then first to cross the wire a nose ahead of favorite American Runaway. The favorite gave a good bid for the win but in the end was outnodded. Despite showery weather and a sloppy track, Hes Too Icy For Me ran the 400 yards with a time of :19.409.
Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame jockey Jacky Martin guided the colt to the win after a four-year absence.
"This may be better than any win I've had," Martin said. "I didn't think it would be this quick (winning a major futurity). Charlie (trainer Sedillo) gave me this opportunity when I came back. It's a great opportunity."
A $36,000 Ruidosos Select Yearling Sale Purchase, Hes Too Icy For Me took home $312,500 for his efforts - bringing his career earnings to $332,694. Robert and Dolores Gerhardt of Las Vegas, New Mexico own the gray colt, and Carlos Sedillo is his trainer. He gained attention this spring at Sunland Park and finished sixth in the West Texas Futurity (G1) at 5-2 odds after bucking during the race.
Bred by the Vessels Stallion Farm LLC and DM Cattle Co. on Bonsall, California, Hes Too Icy For Me is out of the Chicks Beduino mare Slighty Icy. The gray mare has produced three winners from three starters that have so far earned $365,232.
The field following Hes Too Icy For Me was as follows: American Runaway, This Corona Is Cold, Classy Nicole, Rock N Zoom, Quik Corona, Llano Teller, Bodacious Dash, Miss Barbara Allen and Dreams Fly Bye.
Even money favorite American Runaway is by Ocean Runaway and out of the Strawfly Special mare Allamericandreamgirl. Earlier this year, the gray colt was runner up in the Remington Park Futurity (G1) and winner of the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and he set the fastest qualifying times for the Ruidoso and Rainbow Futurities. Taking home $100,000 from tonight's' futurity, American Runaway has now earned $458,373 in his career. He has won three of six starts and was awarded a Register of Merit earlier this year.
16-1 outsider This Corona Is Cold by Corona Cartel was one-half length back for third. Like Hes Too Icy For Me, This Corona Is Cold is lightly raced and ran a breakthrough race in the futurity while making her third career start. The Luis Villafranco-trained filly returned from a nearly 3-month layoff to win her Rainbow Futurity trial by a nose after nearly being eliminated at the start. The bay filly racing for Alejandra Moya of Houston, Texas is the first foal out of the multiple Grade 1 winner This Snow Is Cold by This Snow Is Royal. Winning $50,000 for her efforts, This Corona Is Cold has now earned $52,588 so far in her career.