Full Transcript for Ep.61- New Owners Education Series- Jockeys-(Cody Jensen, Gilbert Ortiz, Cody Smith)

00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:09.920 So this first section that we're covering belongs to Cody Smith. 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:12.959 So without further ado, let's get him on the phone. 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:18.720 All right, on the phone with multiple grade one winning jockey Cody Smith. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:22.399 Cody, thanks for joining us here on this discussion on Quarter Horse Racing Talk. 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:24.800 Yeah, glad you had me on, Greg. 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:34.079 All right, Cody, I want to talk about jockey logic, about some of the things that are going through your head or tactics or things that are like telltale signs. 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:37.360 So what is going through your mind as you're leaving the paddock? 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:39.279 And I'm not talking about a grade one race. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:42.319 I'm talking about just a day race, regular maiden race. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:50.639 When you're getting up on that horse and you're uh, you know, tying your knot and your reins and all, and you're going out to the paddock, what's going through the mind of a jockey? 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:53.439 Or at least through the mind of Cody Smith, the jockey? 00:05:53.759 --> 00:06:07.680 Normally you have an idea of what you're riding, so different horses have different characteristics, I guess, or the do's and the don'ts, or always try to uh figure out little things that might make them just a little bit better. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:09.600 Where are you finding those things out? 00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:11.040 Is it in the morning or is it? 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:22.160 Yeah, sometimes in the mornings, or like if I'd rode the horse before, and I thought, man, if I would have done something just a little bit different last time, I think I would have got a little more out of the horse, and like you get the opportunity again. 00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:26.720 You uh you try to change things up a little bit, and sometimes there's a big advantage. 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:34.639 On a horse that you haven't ridden before, do you do is that a horse that you rely a little bit more on the maybe the discussion with the trainer? 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:35.439 Yeah. 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:46.800 Uh I go by what they might give you a heads up on the horse does, or I might a lot of times like you can go on the Q racing and watch replays and read the form. 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:49.759 I I told them I uh I don't like to read the form a whole lot. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:07:14.720 Usually I always heard you study long and you study wrong, so I'll go back and watch their old replays and just to see if like maybe the horse wants to leave their getting in or getting out, or maybe it wants to run in its left lead, like maybe you can get into it left-handed and make it get a little more out of it when it's in its right lead, or like I said, just little little things that might make a a good horse great or a decent horse a good horse. 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:29.040 What are the telltale signs or and I know that plenty of times you've been misled by the horse, but what are those telltale signs when you're in that post-parade and the horse either is honest toes or not honest toes? 00:07:29.199 --> 00:07:34.800 What are some of those telltale signs that you're maybe looking forward to seeing that this horse is on tonight? 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:45.600 Uh well, different horses have just different things to them, but like the Philly that I rode for Caps that win the Remington Park Oaks, Hammerillus. 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:51.600 I'd rode her earlier in the meet in the Oklahoma trials, and she was just kind of on edge leaving the paddock. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:55.519 And I'd rode her the fall before Will Rogers and win the black gold on her. 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:58.160 And there she was just mild, like mannered. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:04.079 But that night in the Oklahoma trials, she was pretty wound up and she didn't really fire the way we thought she should have. 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:11.279 And then the night that she won the finals, the Remington Park Oaks finals, she just walked out of the paddock flat footed, just like a pony horse. 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:13.279 And I knew then she's gonna run. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:16.480 And she'd run her race, left her doing her job. 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:22.480 But then you have some horses that when they walk out of the paddock like that, they don't fire when they're not on muscle. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:31.600 So you just kinda gotta figure out each each horse and their own do's and don'ts and the way they like to do things, and you can't force them to do anything. 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:34.399 I told him that's the way danger always was. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:37.440 It was kind of like uh you had to let it be his idea. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:45.519 When you tried to kind of force him to do things, he he just didn't want no no part of it, but you just eased around him and he was game to do whatever you wanted to do. 00:08:45.919 --> 00:09:09.519 On those horses that are not keyed up, Cody, uh that you're feeling that they're a little bit flat in the either the post parade or in the warm-up, i is that also an indication of that this is not going to be the most successful race, or is it something that you can kind of encourage the horse to maybe get a little bit more excited because uh the thirdbed uh or the third bed's totally different than the quarter horse. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:11.440 The third bed you're wanting them to be relaxed. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:13.200 You're you're hoping that they're relaxed. 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:19.759 On the quarter horse side, you're wanting them to get in that gate and explode and get out of the gate as fast as they can. 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:22.320 Or is just too flat in the post parade. 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:29.440 Where is it that you can kind of encourage the horse to uh get a little bit more uh ready

to roll? 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:36.639 Well, a lot of times those ones like that, I'll uh I'll kick them away from the pony in the warm-up and let them kind of just gallop out. 00:09:36.720 --> 00:09:47.519 But instead of warming them up next to the pony slow, I'll let them gallop around there, kind of stop them and face them off once you gallop them around the turn and maybe make them get on the muscle. 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:56.399 I mean just get some air flowing through their lungs and blood pumping a little bit, and they'll get on get themselves kind of on edge then and ready to roll. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:10:14.799 Any time in the warm-up, how often does it come about that you you know, some a strategy that you had in your head before going into the gate uh after you've warmed the horse up and and kind of gotten the feel of the horse, uh that how often do strategies change? 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:27.519 Uh I wouldn't say just real often, like beforehand, so much as I guess sometimes away from the gates when things don't necessarily go as planned leaving there. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:29.759 You have to go to plan B real fast. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:40.799 But most of the time, like to me horses are creatures a habit, so when they get in the habit of like breaking a certain way or running a certain way, like sometimes they'll change it. 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:46.480 But I've got to where with experience I kinda like I I always refer to it as lay a trap for 'em. 00:10:46.559 --> 00:11:02.000 Like when you know what's coming, like I try to kind of head that off and beforehand to keep like from wasting ground or wasting a step or just benefit us just a little bit more, 'cause just a little bit more can be a big difference when you get down there to the wire. 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:30.639 Cody, I I know different horses have different personalities, but as a whole and to kind of put him in a stereotype of of sorts, as it pertains to warming one up or you know, maybe behaving himself or or kind of you know, responding to what the rider's asking him to do, especially in the warm-up, as it pertains to a gilding cult or a filly, what has been your experience of what traditionally the the gilding is more like this? 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:35.279 Traditionally the the cult is more like this, traditionally the the filly is more like this. 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:42.240 I mean you you'll have your colts that they want to jack around with the pony and kind of not pay attention. 00:11:42.320 --> 00:12:00.080 Sometimes they're better off to be cut loose, warming up away from the pony and let them get around there and kind of gather their thoughts a little bit in uh instead of just keeping them with the pony the whole time, because some of them well colts sometimes they either want to bow up and want a piece of the pony or they want to run from the pony the whole time scared of it. 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:09.039 So I've had a lot of success just getting them away

from the pony, let them warm up, kinda settle down by themselves a little bit and then bring them back and they usually focus a little better. 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:12.399 And then you have the your Phillies and mares. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:20.399 They're either really good or you got the ones that are mean and contankerous and just kinda wanna pick on the pony more or less. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:24.480 But then your old the good guildings, they're just kind of people pleasers. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:26.720 They go along with whatever you want them to do. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:30.000 But like I said, they uh they all have different personalities. 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:32.399 You just kinda gotta accommodate each one. 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:36.159 I'm big on tr training and riding the individual horse. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:41.759 I feel like if if you trained every throw and everything the same, you're not gonna be real successful at this. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:47.759 So I've tried to uh I don't really want to be labeled as having a a riding style to fit a certain horse. 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:53.600 I want to be able to ride every type of horse, like one you have to set still on and one you have to be aggressive on. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:58.399 So I I didn't feel like just one certain riding style is gonna get me very far. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.919 I just wanted to be able to ride them on. 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:07.840 Cody, every getting into the gate, you're behind there, you're doing the circles with the all the other horses with the pony horse. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:17.360 Uh the goal, of course, is to get in there and get him focused and get him straight and standing right to to break properly, but uh clearly that's a lot easier said than done. 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:30.000 What is the usual tactic that you've used often that that mostly works for you to get that horse to stand there as as best you can and to get down the racetrack and get out of the gates as soon as they open? 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:38.960 Once my headman gets a hold of me behind the gates and we start heading for the gates, like I mean you want your ideal circumstance to be like it just walks right in the gates. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:57.600 And if that happens, like if they walk in, I like for them to kind of let them come all the way in before they get up out from out in front of them, let them square up, because a lot of times the headman when they're coming in, they'll try to jump up and get out of their way before they're all the way in or have the tailgate shut, and a lot of the horses will stop with their back legs kind of too far behind them. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:04.480 And to me, a lot of times their back legs is that's where it all starts, in the rear end leaving the gates, pushing away from there. 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:08.320 So when they're way behind them, they want to slip in the rear end leaving the gates. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:14.080 So I

like for them to bring them all the way in, let them let them come in before they shut the tailgates, and then they can back them up. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:16.000 They'll usually square up really good. 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:24.480 But from that point, you got me halfway square, take my horse's head over there and talk to him, let him chill, and just try to keep me as focused. 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:32.960 I don't like the heavy-handed, like just shoving me in the V, just kind of I call it kid hands, like just ease me over there, pet on it, look right down the racetrack. 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:43.440 I don't want to be like I've I've rode horses that you have to kind of cheat in or out one way or another because they want to break in or out, but for the most part, just stick me right in the V and hope for the best from there. 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:46.720 And we'll be right back after these words. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:55.600 The steps for success in quarter horse racing begin with purchasing your yearling from the 2026 Ria Doso Yearling sale. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:57.120 So make plans now. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:59.519 Friday, September 4th and 5th. 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:01.600 It's where success begins. 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:09.120 He's the number one third crop sire for 2026 going into mid-May. 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:10.559 And he's Uncle D. 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:19.759 The standout Grade 1 winner and grade 1 producer is topping the standings with runners like recent multiple graded stakes winner Uncle Redheads. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:24.799 Standing in Roswell, New Mexico at Prestige Equine, he's Uncle D. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:28.080 It's been recorded and measured. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:33.519 The simple fact is champions feed Purina, as Purina Horsefeed makes a difference that you can see. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:37.600 Go to Purinamills.com forward slash horsefeed and pick your product. 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:40.639 Feeding Purina, you will surely see the difference. 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:43.039 All right, back to the show. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:55.679 All right, continuing our discussion here with the jockeys of the education of what they're thinking and what they're going through and what the objective is for them to get down the racetrack and of course get their picture taken. 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.960 That's what it's all about. 00:15:57.120 --> 00:16:05.360 And one guy that was not a stranger of getting his picture taken on a lot of the big Grade One events is none other than Hall of Fame jockey Cody Jensen. 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:16.000 And as we've left it with Cody Smith of getting into the gate, Cody Jensen will pick it up and give you his perspective of getting that racehorse out of the gate in the best way he knows how. 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:26.399 All right, on the phone with multiple world champion jockey, multiple All-American Fraturity winning jockey, and Hall of Fame jockey Cody Jensen. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:29.600 Cody, thanks once again for joining us here on the podcast. 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.720 Thanks for having me. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:33.039 Cody, we heard from Cody Smith. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:35.519 Now I'm off to the next Cody, Cody Jensen. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:41.919 Cody Smith was talking about what his ideal scenario is and what he likes for the header to do. 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:44.240 So let's go back and reiterate with you. 00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:50.480 The header comes up and grabs the horse from the pony person and you starts leading you into the stall. 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:52.320 So give me your ideal scenario. 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:54.080 What is it you're wanting to happen? 00:16:54.399 --> 00:17:03.360 Well, what I like that I like to see out of my headman is as little interference with my horse as possible until absolutely necessary. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:10.079 I like my headman to lead him in, stay on the ground, set him in a very natural position that that horse wants to set in. 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:15.279 Um once a horse has had two, three starts, he knows where he likes his feet to be. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:17.680 And I tend to just leave him there. 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:26.000 Unless he's standing with one foot extremely off or up in front of him, or he's leaning forward or he's leaning back. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:31.680 Um if I can just get my horse to stand natural and relaxed in there, that's my ideal situation. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:37.920 And my headman is just there to make sure nothing goes wrong before the before that starter hits the button. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:47.119 When you're talking about that ideal situation and the horse has been in, if he's been in a couple races, he knows where he wants to be and how he wants to stand. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:50.799 Let's talk about as it pertains to that first-time starter, you're in there. 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:56.079 Of course, the horse has already been schooled in the gates, probably have broken from the gates multiple times. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:18:06.319 Certainly it has to be broken from the gate in order to get its gate card at the racetrack, but what is it give me that situation now with what you're talking about with a first-time starter? 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:20.960 Well, the vast majority of first-time starters, they're pretty taken aback and distracted just by the amount of people, the crowd, the noise, the, you know, you're going from four to six horses to ten horses in there. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.799 There's just a lot more going on. 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:26.880 And most of them, you're just trying to keep them somewhat focused on you. 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:36.240 Because if they're listening and paying attention to you, hopefully they're not paying attention to as much that's going on around them as some of them other horses. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:40.319 You're just trying to keep them genuinely on the right idea of

what we're there for. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:51.279 Cody, as a jockey, when is it time for you to suggest, or is it the writer's position to suggest to the trainer to look about going to a flipping haunter? 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:53.920 And why would why would you suggest that to a trainer? 00:18:54.559 --> 00:19:05.519 Well, most of the time, of course, if you have a bad actor in the gate, a horse that wants to get in the air all the time and he's real nervous in the gate, he doesn't want to stand still from that long. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.839 He wants to get in the house so quickly. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:10.880 A flipping hauler is gonna benefit him a bunch. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:20.640 But a lot of horses can't take the pressure of actually looking down the racetrack because they know it's it's go to once they hit that V, it's time to go. 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:27.039 And so with the horse, in the flipping holders, a lot of the times, it just keeps their head from being to the mouth so much. 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:34.559 It takes a lot of the working of the assistant stronger to the headman, trying to make sure that horse keeps his nose in the V. 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:38.880 When a flipping holder will just hold, we'll just hang that horse's head in the V. 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:42.559 And it's a learned really by looking at the race train. 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:53.119 So we can have as much luck that way with a flipping holder just to get a horse to quit moving his head and relax with a actor in the game. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:20:00.559 Jump in and explain it to those those folks that are listening that are not overly familiar with the flipping halter is and how does it work? 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:08.640 Most flipping holders are basically just like a nose band in the sitting that you put up with the horse to keep his mouth closed so he can't get his mouth open. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:18.000 So to it, which is essentially just like the ring at the bottom of the halter that you snip your lead rope up to. 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:24.559 We call it chin rigs and nose rigs. 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:28.000 But the vast majority rings ring with the ring underneath. 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:33.200 So they're basically the same resistance and the same feel that they have when they're hooked to a lead rope. 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:44.799 And that rope, one end of that rope has a loop in it, and it's hooked into the pin that holds the starting gates closed, and that pin releases to one of the gate doors to open. 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:47.839 And the same pin releases, it drops that rope. 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:53.279 The other end of the rope goes up through the ring, and then there's a variety of ways to hook it. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:57.839 There's some that have a snap and they just hook it to the gate, to one of one side of the gate doors. 00:21:01.680 --> 00:21:05.759 It holds it basically like your your horse is tied into that gate. 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:15.599 But once that pin releases, that releases the rope, the horse is free to accelerate out of the gaze with no sort of hang-up or resistance from that rope at all. 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:30.960 Obviously, the obvious advantage of that flipping halter is to cause a horse to kind of not be able to have the excess of flipping over backwards or keeping him tied down to where he's looking down the racetrack, that's the positive. 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:35.599 Talk about the negative of actually having to tie a horse in there there. 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:44.160 We've all seen where a horse unfortunately sets back at about the time that the gates are kicking, and it makes it look like the gates don't open, Joe Cody. 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.599 But explain that scenario there. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.240 Yeah. 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:58.799 So when the horse basically hangs, if he puts enough pressure backwards on that rig, on that rope, the rope's tight enough, it doesn't allow that pin to move freely out of that gate. 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.759 There's too much resistance. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.559 Back on that pin to allow it to release. 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:09.279 And that horse has to s move forward to release to allow the uh slack to let that pin go. 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:20.400 So when a horse looks like he holds the gate closed, he just has too much pressure straight back on that rope, which unfortunately it does happen, but in the long run, it's a very rare thing. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:25.920 And so usually the positives have away the negatives and having a flip and halter on. 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:29.440 There are a few negatives in having a flip and halter. 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:34.319 Um a lot of places, like Los Alamitos, they make your horse load first. 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:39.359 So matter what post position he draws, he has to be in there and be tied in first. 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:42.559 Um so you have a longer wait time, stand time in the gates. 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:51.279 Um so that is, and then there's other racetracks that load you in line unless you have to load, and so it doesn't really matter on your um you're being loaded first. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:23:11.759 Um and there's always the chance that that rope can get a slight roll or twist in it as they run it through the ring, and that will hang up on occasion and cause your horse's head to snap back as he clears that rope, because there's just enough resistance on that twist to cause that rope to not slide freely through that ring. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:15.279 But usually those things are very, very rare to happen. 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:20.880 So it's usually better to have one in a flippin' huller than not have to if he if he needs to have one. 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:41.599 Cody, when you're in the gate and the assistant starters using language such as one out or one back telling the riders in the gate that the last one's ready to

load, uh when it gets to that point, how much of the actual start as it pertains to the horse's anticipation versus reaction of the gate opening? 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:46.880 I'd say for a really good gate horse, it's about 50-50. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:50.720 A really fast, fast gate horse, a really good gate horse. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:57.599 They have a general sense of when it quiets down, when that last horse loaded and everybody gets quiet, it's time to go. 00:23:57.839 --> 00:24:04.400 Because usually if somebody's in trouble or they're trying to get their horse moved to the last second, they're making some noise in there. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:06.240 Your assistant starter or your rider. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:13.440 Hopefully it's your assistant starter and not your rider, but but once things quiet down, everything gets quiet, they know it's about to happen. 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:18.880 And then they just have great fast twitch reaction time to the actual gate opening. 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.559 That's what makes a great gate horse. 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:24.799 And that's what we're looking for in quarter horse racing, of course, is an exceptional start. 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:29.599 Those great gate horses, can you fill them tense up right before the gate's opening? 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:34.640 Um, most of the really great gate horses stay extremely relaxed. 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:38.640 A relaxed horse can move faster than a tense horse. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:42.319 And it sounds, it sounds really weird, but it's it's very true. 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:49.920 The best gate horses I've ever rode have been extremely relaxed in the gate and then just explode when it opens. 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:58.480 Horses that are that are too tense, too on their toes, too muscles too taut and tight, they don't react near as well as a relaxed horse. 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:03.359 Cody, you've had plenty of injuries in your lifetime as a jockey there. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:13.759 What are some of the like just absolute craziness that has happened in the starting gate that you can that comes to mind, like the number one story that's just off the charts crazy? 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:24.400 Well, we had a horse up here early early in my career back here in Utah and Wyoming, um, that was extremely fast, but he was a bad, he was a bad gay horse. 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:30.400 And we only got him down the racetrack, I think, twice as a two-year-old. 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:33.279 And he set a track record, went a fraternity. 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:38.480 But most of the time we were scratched to the gates because he uh he flipped over the gates or did something crazy. 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:46.799 So the last time I rode, he rode that horse, when all the dust settled, there were four of us going in the ambulance, going to the emergency room. 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:55.200 Me, the rider next to me, which uh happened to be Berkeley Packer, and because when that as that horse flipped over, he pawed him. 00:25:55.359 --> 00:26:08.799 He pawed the headman that was heading Berkeley's horse, and he pawed the headman uh heading my horse, pawed my own headman, and then smashed me in the gate, and then turned around and jumped out the backs and run off. 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:11.599 And I seen myself about two hours later. 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:33.519 So we've had some pretty wild spots in the gate, but most of the time, even like if you go to the Oklahoma Fraternity Trails or the Riadoso Fraternity Trailes, where you have a vast majority of first-time starters, it's very rare to have a gate mishap, a horse really act up in the gates, have to be scratched, hurt somebody or something like that. 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:57.200 Um, these guys, they do so much pre-race schooling on these horses because we have them, it's quarter horse races, and we have them so apt up for the break, because it's half the race, it's the first two jumps, that we have to do a lot of schooling to keep them horses focused and and paying attention and not overreacting inside them starting gates, since we do have them so pumped up for that initial burst. 00:26:57.440 --> 00:27:08.079 Cody, I know you've been on plenty of them that break from the gate, and the way they break and the hardness of them breaking out of that gate, you instantly know that, oh, this is going I've I've got this one. 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:14.559 Describe to the listener what that feels like to be on a horse that you just know from the first jump that this is going to be a great time. 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:18.799 There's two ways a really fast gate horse leaves the gate. 00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:41.920 One is with power, and that's a whole different feeling when you just when that horse just squats and fires like an Olympic sprinter off the box, and he just he just accelerates with just pure power underneath you, and you're just feeling that just like being in a supercar, and it's just jigging getting faster each stride. 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:52.799 And the other kind is one that does it with just quickness, and that feels like a puff of smoke just left the gates, and all of a sudden you're two lengths in front, and you're like, Wow, how did that just happen? 00:27:52.960 --> 00:28:09.759 Because he leaves with just such fast twitch muscle reaction and just quickness that he doesn't have that power, he just has that extreme quickness, and that just almost surprises you that you're there and you're in front like that, and you're like, Wow, how did that just happen? 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:18.000 So one is extremely intense to ride, and the other one's just like riding a rocking horse. 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:24.400 There's plenty of horses that you've told me that break so hard that they stumble. 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:38.720 They the the ground breaks out from underneath them, and you know, maybe the the not necessarily the first time you rode a horse like

that, but the next coming time that you that you're on a horse like that, how do you prepare yourself in case that happens again? 00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:52.559 Is there I had heard long ago that Chris McCarron, the thoroughbred jockey, when he broke from the gate, he had one foot forward and kind of one foot back in case that horse stumbled, he was able to kind of pick himself up. 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:54.400 What did Cody Jensen do? 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.200 You know what? 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:58.559 You can't anticipate that, nor should you as a quarter horse rider. 00:28:58.720 --> 00:29:06.640 You've got to the one thing you're anticipating is that horse is gonna break straight and he's gonna break hard and everything's gonna go perfect. 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:25.759 If you start uh as a quarter horse rider, everything's over so quick and happens so fast that if you start anticipating something to happen and you're trying to prevent it, you tend to actually screw yourself and your horse up more if everything goes perfect, because you're not you're not there and you're not with him because everything happens so fast. 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:30.079 And it's a little bred like Chris McCarron, a lot of the times you don't want him to break in front. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:32.720 So you you can get away with some of that stuff. 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:43.839 You as a rider, if you're anticipating your horse going one one direction or the other, or you're anticipating this horse has a tendency to fall, you're already self setting yourself and your horse up for failure. 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:48.880 You want to anticipate that that's gonna go dead perfect and then just react if it doesn't. 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:51.200 Cody, thanks for the education. 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.480 Anytime. 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:55.519 And we'll be right back after these words. 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:59.680 Lipchip is calling all horsemen who are ready to bring their born to the next level. 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:02.000 Stop letting technology be your biggest enemy. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:04.960 Lipchip is built by horsemen for horsemen. 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:05.920 We know how you ride. 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:16.640 The Hooflink system, powered by Lip Chip, provides you peace of mind, keeping track of horse identity, health documents, and horse performance, all stored securely right at the tip of your fingers. 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:20.160 You would track daily temperatures with a swipe of a Bluetooth scanner. 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:22.400 We make life at the barn a little easier. 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:24.000 At the hooflink.com. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:25.759 Letter rip lip chip. 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:37.599 It's staggering just how many Grade One winners and champions come out of the Heritage Place Yearlink Cell every year, and how you, the buyer, get a chance to be one of those people, only one of those champions. 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:46.240 This year, September 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th, there in Oklahoma City is when the Heritage Place Quarterhorse Yearlink Cell takes place. 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:53.519 So reserve your hotels now, and we'll see you in Oklahoma City at Heritage Plates, the place where champions are sold for. 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:57.119 All right, back to the podcast. 00:30:57.359 --> 00:31:12.799 All right, going into the third section of this educational series on this episode, we tap into one of the all-time greats, a veteran, a retired jockey, Gilbert Ortiz, a winner of over 3,000 wins in his career. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:19.039 And to boot, Gilbert Arnun is one of the nicest individuals you ever will want to meet on the racetrack. 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:42.880 But outside of that personality, one of the top riders for decades, including wins aboard grade one winners like Warcolors, show me your tool, Diamond Trace 8, A2HA Racing Champion H Miracle, Q Baby, huge runners out in Louisiana like He's a Louisiana Dash, Water Girl Beats Duper Squick Dash, and of course one of the grandest millionaires over in Louisiana Val's fortune. 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:44.559 It's called Gilbert Ortiz. 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:46.720 Award him for some of his greatest wins. 00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:52.880 And did you know there's only six other quarters jockeys that have surpassed the milestone of 3,000 wins? 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:57.920 Ear Carter, Alvin Rustett, Bonnie Cardoza, Eddie Garcia, and John Krager. 00:31:58.160 --> 00:32:00.000 As mentioned, it's an elite few. 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:13.119 And of course, with all that experience Gilbert brings to the table, he's got a great perspective of what goes through the mind of a jockey leaving the gates and trying to get that horse down the racetrack in front to get his picture taken. 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:16.720 So without further ado, let's get to it with Gilbert Ortiz. 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:22.720 Gilbert, thanks for joining us here on Quota Horse Racing Talk Weekly. 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.920 Thank you, Greg. 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.759 It'd be nice to talk to you. 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:32.480 Gilbert Ortiz, we've gone down the racetrack multiple, multiple thousands of times. 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:37.599 Uh I'd like to talk to you about leaving the gate and getting that horse down the racetrack. 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:40.559 So get in that mindset if you would, Gilbert. 00:32:40.640 --> 00:33:02.079 The first question I have is that once you're waiting and anticipating that start, once you're pointing that horse's face down the racetrack in the V of the stall of the starting gate, and the gate's open, take me from what's the most ideal scenario and and what are you trying to most accomplish to try to uh see if you can get success with this horse. 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:16.720 Well, most of the times, you know, uh once he leaves the gates and stuff, uh you want to make sure he's he's kind of stays as straight as he can and

and and usually around the first jump it's a horse's jump and then your the second jump is yours, and that's where you take control. 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:24.720 But and uh I always like to keep him on the bit and uh and get a little bit more run out of them and keep them on us. 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:29.039 I wasn't no uh more of a getting after one constantly. 00:33:29.119 --> 00:33:42.000 I like to just keep them on us and sometimes when he was kind of close, leave you know, through the mid stretch, I'd get after him right-handed and sometimes they'd switch, and that'll get me to the finish line and and I'll run them, you know. 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:44.400 So I kind of thought that was the best. 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:53.920 But sometimes a horse, leaving for me, on my standpoint, leaving the gates and kept them together, and they you get more run out of them like that, you know. 00:33:54.000 --> 00:34:08.880 But of course, every situation is different on these horses, and uh and especially on these two-year-olds, like having the one-hole always left left-handed on them, you know, so make sure he didn't go straight to the rail, but kept them pretty straight as you can. 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.000 That was the main thing. 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:18.559 And and uh otherwise, just you know, if you had a good horse, you ought to just do just hang on and and make sure he left there straight and didn't bother nobody. 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:31.199 Gilbert, on the the they often say about a a a rider leaving in the horse's mouth or being in too much in the horse's mouth when he's leaving, as a pair as opposed to giving the horse his head. 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:38.880 Describe for someone who's never been on a racehorse or never broke a horse out of the starting gate, what what does that actually mean, Gilbert? 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:52.559 Well, sometimes uh some of these babies and older horses are real funny about their mouth, and you gotta give them a little bit more slack than a normal horse you would leave, you know, uh or you would ride. 00:34:52.800 --> 00:35:08.639 But uh, and sometimes that's where a rider and a trainer works together, where sometimes a horse has a ring bit, and then you say, No, it's too much bit for him, so you would put another bit on them, either a D-bit or a rubber bit, and uh and the horse leaves a lot better leaving the gates, you know. 00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:13.199 But sometimes you don't want the header to really crowd the horse that much in the gates, neither. 00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:17.519 And especially if you got a rig, just leave them alone and and usually help the header. 00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:20.719 And uh and and that they always done done that. 00:35:20.800 --> 00:35:30.880 I said when I had a rig on, I always told the header, I I'll kind of help you more than you can help him by just kind of stepping back where I'm at and and I can do the heading myself. 00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:40.559 But and that that's

that's if he was real tender in the mouth because sometimes them headers try so hard to get you to leave super, but sometimes they can also mess him up. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:52.559 Gilbert, on those first couple jumps, which are so very important in the start of the race, uh many jockeys say that's more than half of the race is is won or lost in those first five strides. 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:59.360 You know, clearly there's lots of variables that are thrown at you that you have to improvise and make different adjustments and what have you. 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:05.599 But in the most ideal situation, describe what what you're wanting to get out of those first five strides. 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:30.159 Well, really, on on these horses here, if they're standing good and squared up, and sometimes by the time they load the last one, your horse moves a little bit and one leg's in front of the other, and and he kind of leaves there and stumbles real bad with you, kind of almost falls to the nose, and you just kind of keep him together and go through the through the whole race, and sometimes uh and I've I rode one that fell to the ground and he got up and went. 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:32.159 And but he drug me through there, you know. 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:37.519 Lucky the hole stayed open and and and we made it through there and he went, you know. 00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:41.039 And believe me, I wasn't gonna just ride him through there. 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:52.800 He just drug me through there, and just and that's where I mean just took him the first when he went down, the second jump I had him, third jump I still had him, and and he just drug me through the through the finish line, you know. 00:36:53.199 --> 00:37:12.800 So uh that's the main thing, really, once he walks in the gates, and you don't want to move him too much because sometimes they get these horses get a little bit more tense than normal, but uh you just want to make sure they're kind of squared away in there and and and that and the header sometimes no 95% of headers gonna help you anyway. 00:37:13.039 --> 00:37:15.519 So uh that that makes a difference. 00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:36.719 Gilbert, spending some time up on the in the steward stand watching races from a steward standpoint, one thing that was very apparent is when a horse misses the brake, and especially in a quarter horse race, it's the outside and inside horse where the gap is, it seems like it's a natural tendency for those horses to close that gap. 00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:46.320 So missing the brake and losing your spot is uh something that's horrible as a uh as it opposed to getting to the wire in front. 00:37:46.559 --> 00:37:51.119 Is it the natural tendency for horses to come in and close that gap? 00:37:51.440 --> 00:37:59.119 Uh yes, I'm gonna say around 60 or 70 percent of them will do that, but will close that gap. 00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:03.840 But after they they miss the break or something, you just gotta drive them through wherever. 00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:13.679 Yeah, of course you're behind everybody, but just find a spot where you see somebody coming in or coming out, or they're both splitting the the gap, you just try to go through them, you know. 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:19.920 But that's the main where you gotta where you gotta grab them reins and and and and point that horse to go through, you know. 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:21.519 Hopefully he can get you through there. 00:38:21.679 --> 00:38:29.840 If not, you just you know, that's where the break, you know, where that gap is, you know, just trying to find that one one gap and and pay attention more, you know. 00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:34.320 Gilbert, you've ridden thoroughbreds and quarter horses in your in your career. 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:39.280 The uh the thoroughbred is taught and split horses and and and they're trained that way. 00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:41.920 They're to come from behind horse or whatever. 00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:45.840 With a a quarter horse, how do you get a horse? 00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:48.559 It seems like they're hesitant to go through a gap. 00:38:48.639 --> 00:38:53.119 How do you kind of work is it just something that a horse will or a won't? 00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:58.239 No, a horse will, and he can do it, but there's there's another step to it. 00:38:58.320 --> 00:39:09.599 Um that's where it comes on breaking these babies, you know, where you take them two or three at a time and you put that one in the middle and you kind of squeeze him out, and then he'll make it, you know, where you can go through there. 00:39:09.760 --> 00:39:18.400 But it don't just take one one a one-time deal where you gotta go every day with it, you know, and these babies, and that's where they learn to to go through them. 00:39:18.800 --> 00:39:26.159 But if you don't teach them, they'll make that hesitation where they'll sometimes can make that one stop and take a right or left on you, you know. 00:39:26.320 --> 00:39:30.639 So it takes a lot of attention on breaking these babies to make them go through there. 00:39:30.960 --> 00:39:34.800 Indications of when it's time to use the the the whip. 00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:44.400 Give me an idea of what what is it that you're accomplishing with the whip of getting uh obviously getting the horse's attention and urging the horse to run. 00:39:44.559 --> 00:39:52.400 So, but I'll get out of the way and let you explain it, because I've never break I've never broken a horse out of the starting gate, as you can imagine. 00:39:52.559 --> 00:39:53.599 So give me the idea. 00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:56.239 What what is it in Gilbert Ortiz terms? 00:39:56.639 --> 00:40:13.360 Well, uh, like I said, I wasn't rider not really that aggressive on one, but I could get aggressive, but sometimes, say for example on a Philly, uh, them Phillies can take not that much as a coke can. 00:40:13.920 --> 00:40:18.480 And if you whip a Philly a lot, they're gonna back up to

you, you know. 00:40:18.559 --> 00:40:22.559 They just kind of get pissed off and won't give you what they can give you. 00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:28.559 And sometimes if you just kind of ride 'em and keep 'em honest, uh they'll give you more than they can. 00:40:28.800 --> 00:40:36.000 And sometimes you got a coke, the same way, you know, a stud coke, you know, you can get after him and he'll run for you. 00:40:36.079 --> 00:40:40.559 And then you got some that they'll you hit him too much and he ain't gonna give you what he can. 00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:51.119 But that's where a rider can figure these horses out by sh you know, just galloping them and and working them in the mornings and working with a trainer. 00:40:51.519 --> 00:41:00.719 And uh, but I always thought the Phillies were the the ones more timid on a whip than the Colts were in Gildings, you know, than any than any horse. 00:41:01.280 --> 00:41:10.159 As it pertains to body language and the feel of the horse, Gilbert, say you're halfway through, let's let's say you're going 400 yards, you're about halfway down the racetrack. 00:41:10.559 --> 00:41:12.639 What does he feel like underneath you, Gilbert? 00:41:13.039 --> 00:41:34.960 Sometimes on these scoring 400 yards, these uh horses are giving you all they got and you're keeping them uh as honest as you can, but and then you have one on the outside of you just rolling past you, but your horse has done everything he could, and uh you just gotta give him the credit he did uh through the race, you know. 00:41:35.119 --> 00:41:42.559 But you can you can ride him as hard as you can, but he's done did what he got uh what he could do through the race. 00:41:42.960 --> 00:41:44.559 You know, that's the way I feel about it. 00:41:44.960 --> 00:41:48.880 Gilbert, the the switching from stick right to the left hand. 00:41:49.360 --> 00:41:51.599 What are you trying to accomplish and why are you doing it? 00:41:51.920 --> 00:42:02.239 Or what signals or is the horse giving you that he's needing to to be uh be hit with the left hand as a versus the right hand to encourage him to get to the wire? 00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:09.199 Well, I'll keep him I'll hit him right-handed and as long as he's running as as straight as he he can. 00:42:09.599 --> 00:42:28.400 And if some comes through the outside, you like like uh for example, I'm in the five-hole and the seven horse is coming right there close to me, and I might switch to him on the right hand and get after him once or twice, and he'll just switch them leads and go on to his right lead. 00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:35.280 And but sometimes it could be the horse on the inside of you, you know, so vice versa. 00:42:35.440 --> 00:42:39.840 If as long as he's running straight and you can switch on him, you're good. 00:42:39.920 --> 00:42:50.719 But if if you hit him left, uh if you hit him right-handed and he's getting in on you, well, you're gonna have to do something where you do have to hit him right-handed, but if he gets out on you, well, that's where they're gonna catch you and outrun you at the wire. 00:42:50.800 --> 00:43:06.000 But there's there's so many things where you gotta think about these these horses riding through the race, and and that's where it comes out where uh another I'll I'll say it again, where a rider gets on these horses in the morning and and you know more about them, you know, than anybody. 00:43:06.079 --> 00:43:08.000 You know, a rider would know more about. 00:43:08.880 --> 00:43:35.119 Gilbert, as if it pertains to the effort that this horse is giving you, give the listener the the idea of of how hard a horse naturally tries when he's got another horse beside him that he's eyeballing, that they're going neck and neck, that he's almost competing as opposed to a horse that gets two in front and he doesn't really have anything to look for or anything that he's necessarily running up against. 00:43:35.760 --> 00:43:37.039 Can you feel the difference? 00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:46.000 Does the horse actually is he bearing down and trying harder when he's got something running up beside him, as opposed to say a horse that gets two in front? 00:43:46.400 --> 00:43:47.440 Oh, yeah, for sure. 00:43:47.519 --> 00:44:20.159 He's eyeballing him and and trying to do as good as he can and and you riding him as good as you you can, you know, just but uh if there's one that opens up on you, it just he just opened up and Your horse is running all he could, but there's nothing that other one's way just faster than yours, you know, but I mean your horse is running, you know, and and that's where these trials come around where that one horse wins by a link and a half and he drags you in there and you still qualify, but sometimes the horse that beats you that far might not run the same race as he did in the finals. 00:44:21.760 --> 00:44:28.719 Gilbert, as it pertains to that last hundred yards, take you've you've been on some great horses in your career. 00:44:29.119 --> 00:44:46.960 From that last hundred yards to the wire, give us the sensation of that level of speed of going on a on a on a superior racehorse of what it feels like to be motoring down the towards a wire going uh an a sub-21 440 as an example. 00:44:47.039 --> 00:44:48.079 What does that feel like? 00:44:48.320 --> 00:44:49.280 Oh, it feels good. 00:44:49.440 --> 00:44:54.239 It just like I mean it's just nice to ride these these horses like that. 00:44:54.320 --> 00:45:03.679 That just gives you a hundred percent, you know, and and running through there, especially where you run the trials and and they do better the second go round. 00:45:03.760 --> 00:45:09.199 You know, I've had horses that run okay in the in the trials and come back and do super in the finals. 00:45:09.360 --> 00:45:21.360 They like running every two weeks or and but it was just nice to ride them horses like that where you just not even get after them and just just grab them and and they

just run off with you, you know. 00:45:21.519 --> 00:45:28.960 Them horses are are natural type, you know, like to run on the bit, not too much stick, and just keep them honest. 00:45:29.119 --> 00:45:32.719 They'll just run you, they'll just drag you to the finish line. 00:45:33.119 --> 00:45:40.320 Gilbert, not only thank you for getting here on here at Quarter Horse Racing Talk Weekly, but but thank you for the education. 00:45:40.719 --> 00:45:47.840 I was glad to give it, and uh it was nice for you to call me up and and and uh talk about it. 00:45:48.239 --> 00:45:51.039 We'll be right back after these words. 00:45:52.079 --> 00:46:08.159 As breeding season for 2026 comes to a close, now it's time to look at all the yearlings going forth in the sales for all these fine stallions at Roboshow Ranch, A Political Blood, Gold Heart Eagle V, KV and Corona, Tempting Dash, and Vista. 00:46:08.480 --> 00:46:12.000 Check them all out at RoboshowRanch Inc.com. 00:46:13.199 --> 00:46:16.800 The grade one producing Chilitos has another stakes winner. 00:46:16.960 --> 00:46:18.719 I grab commands from the inside. 00:46:18.880 --> 00:46:19.199 Mrs. 00:46:19.360 --> 00:46:22.400 PYC Painted Nova's in the mix, but it's Chiefteness with the lead. 00:46:22.559 --> 00:46:22.719 Mrs. 00:46:22.880 --> 00:46:24.639 PYC Paintanova battles that one. 00:46:24.800 --> 00:46:26.000 Chieften is edging clear. 00:46:26.159 --> 00:46:27.119 Chiefteness wins. 00:46:27.360 --> 00:46:29.119 The John Buchanan Memorial from Mr. 00:46:29.599 --> 00:46:38.960 Check out the Stallion page and all the statistics of Chilitos on stallionesearch.com or go to Dunranch.com and take a look at their extensive website. 00:46:39.039 --> 00:46:41.840 And that's Dunranch out there in Winniewood, Oklahoma. 00:46:42.000 --> 00:46:59.440 Also standing is champion and grade one producer A Revenant, the brother to a two-time champion of champions winner, a political victory, the runner-up finisher in the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million, in hot pursuit, and the graded stakes winning juices loose, and the grade one producer, PYC Fun and Fancy, all standing at Dun Ranch in Winniewood, Oklahoma. 00:46:59.760 --> 00:47:01.840 All right, back to the show. 00:47:02.079 --> 00:47:08.320 Alright, we're back here in the recap section and a lot of stakes action this past weekend across North America. 00:47:08.480 --> 00:47:19.599 And stallionesearch.com, of course, focuses mostly on the graded stakes action, but one of them that I'd like to start off right away, Bailey, is this Texas Breeders' Futurity that happened at Sam Houston Race Park. 00:47:19.760 --> 00:47:22.400 Over a half million dollars for the two-year-olds. 00:47:22.480 --> 00:47:26.079 It's in its very first year, which means it comes ungraded. 00:47:26.159 --> 00:47:29.840 And here's the call from Nick Tamarill here in Sam Houston Race Park. 00:47:30.079 --> 00:47:33.440 And they're on their way in the Texas Breeders' Futurity. 00:47:33.679 --> 00:47:39.360 It was a good start on the outside for Whoopi Cowgirl, a political cowboy, is quick into stride between horses. 00:47:39.440 --> 00:47:39.679 Mr. 00:47:39.760 --> 00:47:41.519 Carter is gaining ground on the inside. 00:47:41.599 --> 00:47:43.119 Cowboys flying fights on. 00:47:43.280 --> 00:47:45.199 Cowboys flying with a tenuous lead, Mr. 00:47:45.280 --> 00:47:45.599 Carter. 00:47:45.760 --> 00:47:47.519 Cowboys flying wins it. 00:47:48.000 --> 00:47:55.039 Cowboys Flying is a two-year-old gelding by Flying Cowboy123 out of the Carter's Cartel mare, Cartel's Lady. 00:47:55.199 --> 00:47:55.920 Read by Dr. 00:47:56.000 --> 00:48:02.800 Tommy Hayes, owned by Double J Racing, and trained by Ramiro Vilireal, and written by Victor Urietta Jr. 00:48:03.360 --> 00:48:05.280 Alright, now we're going to the West Coast. 00:48:05.360 --> 00:48:05.920 Robert A. 00:48:06.079 --> 00:48:09.119 Dare Kindergarten Fraturity The Great Two event. 00:48:09.280 --> 00:48:16.800 We had multiple scratches going forth before the gates were open in the finals there for these two-year-olds going 300 yards. 00:48:16.880 --> 00:48:18.960 And here's the call from Michael Rona. 00:48:19.440 --> 00:48:27.440 Racing! And it's Call Me Candela and Hake from Monday Dynasty Romo Land, AP Eagle Heart. 00:48:27.519 --> 00:48:30.960 It's Call Me Candela, Hake, Monday Dynasty. 00:48:31.119 --> 00:48:32.320 Call me Candela. 00:48:32.639 --> 00:48:34.639 Call me Candela wins the kindergarten. 00:48:34.960 --> 00:48:47.440 Call Me Candela is a two-year-old filly by call me Cole out of the favorite cartel mare, DF First Down Cartel, owned and bred by Miguel Osorio, trained by Jose Flores, and ridden by Jose Alcala. 00:48:47.840 --> 00:48:52.079 The distance horses have their time in the spotlight at Sam Houston Race Park as well. 00:48:52.239 --> 00:48:55.679 The Grade 3 Q Racing Video Distance Challenge stakes. 00:48:55.760 --> 00:48:57.920 And here's the call for these hook horses. 00:48:58.159 --> 00:49:00.079 Top of the stretch coming off the turn. 00:49:00.239 --> 00:49:03.599 Grabbing command on the outside is GJR Rooster battling on. 00:49:03.679 --> 00:49:05.360 On the inside is Firebolt B. 00:49:05.440 --> 00:49:08.719 These two have sped seven lengths clear of music dash up the inside. 00:49:08.800 --> 00:49:12.159 Big Lou Love down the center, and KV and Valiant Corona between them. 00:49:12.320 --> 00:49:17.199 Firebolt B has a short lead and is edging clear from GJR Rooster in the final 70 yards. 00:49:17.360 --> 00:49:21.920 Firebolt B and Nestor Duran win the Q Racing Video Distance Challenge. 00:49:22.239 --> 00:49:27.119 Firebolt B is a four-year-old gelding by Bolt of Fire out of the FDD Dynasty mare. 00:49:27.360 --> 00:49:28.639 She Electra B. 00:49:28.880 --> 00:49:36.159 Read by Bellu Oaks, owned by Tony Sedio and RC Racing, trained by Richard Sedio, and ridden by Nestor Duran. 00:49:36.400 --> 00:49:41.599 Now the race past the Texas Breeders' Futurity

was the grade two Sam Houston Classic stakes. 00:49:41.679 --> 00:49:45.199 They are 440 yards the classic distance in Houston. 00:49:45.360 --> 00:49:47.280 $75,000 on the line. 00:49:47.440 --> 00:49:49.679 Three-year-olds and up, and here's the call. 00:49:49.920 --> 00:49:52.960 And they are on their way in the Sam Houston Classic. 00:49:53.199 --> 00:49:56.960 The Duke was bumped a bit by Selena Olena out of the gate to the inside. 00:49:57.039 --> 00:50:02.960 It was a quick start for Paint Me Onis, who's up in the mix, fighting on between horses, is Iima Chili in the middle of the racetrack. 00:50:03.039 --> 00:50:06.000 Cas Prietito is erupting with a big run on the outside. 00:50:06.159 --> 00:50:06.559 The Duke. 00:50:06.639 --> 00:50:10.000 Caz Prietito has the lead and pulls clear authoritatively. 00:50:10.239 --> 00:50:12.000 Cas Prietito to do it. 00:50:12.320 --> 00:50:18.400 Cas Prietito is a four-year-old gelding by Cass Tempting out of the Azumare, Mary's Corazone. 00:50:18.559 --> 00:50:26.639 Read by Rancho J.S., owned by Fernando and Rolando Soto, trained by Sergio Fuentes, and written by Luis Maldonado. 00:50:26.880 --> 00:50:34.320 Alright, over to Oklahoma City in the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity Trials for the two-year-olds going 350 yards. 00:50:34.480 --> 00:50:41.199 And from night number one, the fastest qualifier comes out of the barn of John Steinbow and hears the call from Del Day. 00:50:41.519 --> 00:50:42.159 They're off. 00:50:42.639 --> 00:50:43.360 Good start. 00:50:43.519 --> 00:50:45.679 Away sharply, Profits View puts a nose out there. 00:50:45.760 --> 00:50:48.239 The gray Whistle and Dixie coming along down inside. 00:50:48.400 --> 00:50:50.079 Curl's favorite jet begins to fire as well. 00:50:50.239 --> 00:50:52.880 Curl's favorite jet to challenge Whistle and Dixie for the lead. 00:50:53.039 --> 00:50:55.280 Farther out, Profits View gaining with every stride. 00:50:55.440 --> 00:50:59.280 Final hundred, inside Curl's favorite jet, powered on here by more than a link. 00:50:59.440 --> 00:51:05.360 Curl's favorite jet is a two-year-old Colt by favorite cartel out of the Spit Curl Jess Mare. 00:51:05.519 --> 00:51:06.960 I a Spit Curl Girl. 00:51:07.119 --> 00:51:11.920 Bread and owned by Martin Stacy, trained by John Steinboe and ridden by Francisco Calderone. 00:51:12.079 --> 00:51:17.679 And we were able to talk with this grade one-winning trainer, John Steinbow, about this talented runner. 00:51:20.320 --> 00:51:28.639 Things just went well, and I think the weather uh was pretty pretty even throughout that night, for sure. 00:51:28.800 --> 00:51:29.440 You know what I mean? 00:51:29.760 --> 00:51:30.880 Stayed consistent. 00:51:31.599 --> 00:51:33.760 Uh he's just a super nice horse. 00:51:33.920 --> 00:51:57.679 Now uh you look back at the at the room park, everybody uh just horses. 00:52:07.679 --> 00:52:08.960 Millions of dollars. 00:52:09.039 --> 00:52:11.599 Those two families of horses of money for me. 00:52:11.920 --> 00:52:13.280 Or is what they've earned. 00:52:13.440 --> 00:52:16.239 So lucky guys when it comes to that. 00:52:16.559 --> 00:52:21.920 Well, John, good luck going into the finals with this youngster, and uh, we look forward to seeing you there in the finals. 00:52:22.159 --> 00:52:22.800 Yes, sir. 00:52:23.039 --> 00:52:24.320 Appreciate the call. 00:52:24.559 --> 00:52:31.199 And Heritage Place Futurity Trials night number two saw Fall Classic from the barn of James Gonzalez III. 00:52:31.440 --> 00:52:36.000 Go down the racetrack as the fastest qualifier in this 350-yard trial event. 00:52:36.159 --> 00:52:37.519 And here's the call. 00:52:37.920 --> 00:52:40.000 They're off for the Friday opener Ravage Park. 00:52:40.079 --> 00:52:41.679 First trial for the Heritage Place Futurity. 00:52:41.760 --> 00:52:45.039 A little crowding to the inside, but Fall Classic comes away from that very well. 00:52:45.199 --> 00:52:49.199 Has he vange now chased by Isa Rockstar to the inside coming on sharply? 00:52:49.360 --> 00:52:51.920 Miss American farther out a run for BP Priceless. 00:52:52.079 --> 00:52:52.480 This is all. 00:52:55.519 --> 00:52:58.800 Fall Classic is a two-year-old gelding by Cyber Monday out of the Mr. 00:52:58.960 --> 00:53:11.199 Just Perimare, Lady Belliqua, owned by Christopher Via Toro, read by Jim Strillman and Bill Dale, trained by James Gonzalez III, and ridden by Christian Cardinas. 00:53:11.440 --> 00:53:19.280 We were able to get on the phone with James Gonzalez and talk to him about this talented runner going into the grade one finals here in Oklahoma City. 00:53:21.039 --> 00:53:23.199 Alright, on the phone with James Gonzalez. 00:53:23.280 --> 00:53:29.280 James, talk about Fall Classic qualifying as the fastest going in out of night two there at Heritage Place. 00:53:29.679 --> 00:54:06.239 Well, run a super race, you know, got bummed both sides, and opened up and he uh accelerated pretty quickly and opened up and drew off and and uh ran over a sloppy fast field track and had him aided by Little Tailwind, you know, and and um looked good in his schooling race, one of the fastest schooling races of the meet, looked great in his maiden race, also one of the fastest of the meet, and then followed it up by a knockout performance in the in the trials, you know, and uh bounced out good and he's you know looking forward to the finals, so um all as well classic. 00:54:06.719 --> 00:54:18.000 James, is this one of those horses that from the very beginning of breaking this horse and getting him through his pre-racetrack career, was he s one that showed that he was going to be that type of horse? 00:54:18.719 --> 00:54:41.360 Well, you know, Greg, actually um he was kind of a little honory and to start with, and uh he remained a cult for a while, and uh the the deeper into the winter we got and more into workouts we got, uh it became apparent he wasn't gonna be able to handle being a cult, so uh we

we cut him and once we cut him is when kind of when the switch really flipped. 00:54:41.760 --> 00:54:52.880 Once we cut him, he you know, he got to be doing his work professionally and quit jacking around and and really uh turned the level all the way up to a hundred, you know. 00:54:53.119 --> 00:54:55.760 Yeah, one of the great equipment changes of all time. 00:54:56.000 --> 00:54:56.559 Yeah. 00:54:58.239 --> 00:55:01.599 Quick little brain surgery, and it's amazing what it'll do to some of them. 00:55:01.760 --> 00:55:02.079 Yes. 00:55:02.320 --> 00:55:07.519 Well, James, good luck going into the finals, and we look to see you there on that big night at in Oklahoma City. 00:55:07.840 --> 00:55:08.400 Thanks, Greg. 00:55:08.559 --> 00:55:09.440 Appreciate it. 00:55:09.760 --> 00:55:22.000 Now it's over to the Heritage Place Derby Trials, the grade two event, 400 yards for three-year-olds, and a Louisiana bread jumps up and grabs the fastest qualifying spot as we listen to the call from Del Day. 00:55:22.239 --> 00:55:22.800 They're off. 00:55:23.199 --> 00:55:26.639 Quick start for parajacks away sharply down inside right there. 00:55:26.800 --> 00:55:30.559 That is Raising Cain battling inside with Tuxhard Shop, now trying to get things going. 00:55:30.639 --> 00:55:32.400 Here comes Louisiana Man a full of stride. 00:55:32.480 --> 00:55:35.119 Louisiana Man strikes the front, halfway home and is pulling clear. 00:55:35.280 --> 00:55:36.639 Parrajax chasing them outside. 00:55:36.800 --> 00:55:39.360 Louisiana man now in control, up for third the moment. 00:55:39.519 --> 00:55:42.079 Stanley Salty Prize, Louisiana Man by almost three. 00:55:42.239 --> 00:55:42.960 Very impressive. 00:55:43.199 --> 00:55:59.440 Louisiana Man is a three-year-old gelding by Dominion out of the first down Jewel Mayor, Jewel's Fortune, owned by Rosalio Espinosa and Jerry Deville, bred by Jerry West and trained by Jose Lopez with Brian Cendonosa on board. 00:55:59.679 --> 00:56:09.199 I was able to get on the phone with Jockey Brian Candonosa to talk about this talented three-year-old Louisiana bred, Louisiana man, going into the Heritage Place Derby finals. 00:56:11.440 --> 00:56:19.920 On the phone with Jockey Brian Candonosa, jockey on top, the fastest qualifier coming in out of the Heritage Place Derby Trials Louisiana Man. 00:56:20.000 --> 00:56:23.760 Brian, talk about that trip down the racetrack there in Oklahoma City. 00:56:24.000 --> 00:56:25.599 Oh man, it was an amazing trip. 00:56:25.760 --> 00:56:27.440 On him, he broke like a rocket. 00:56:27.760 --> 00:56:30.079 He just kept going the further he got, he just got better. 00:56:30.320 --> 00:56:31.519 So it felt really good. 00:56:31.599 --> 00:56:36.159 Last time in the room at the park derby, he didn't break and cost him the race because he was flying. 00:56:36.239 --> 00:56:42.800 But he we got him to go today, so hopefully next go time around, he runs the same race. 00:56:43.199 --> 00:56:43.599

Good deal. 00:56:43.679 --> 00:56:47.599 Well, good luck in the finals, Brian, and thanks for getting on here at Quarter Horse Racing Talk. 00:56:47.760 --> 00:56:48.480 Yes, sir. 00:56:48.719 --> 00:56:54.639 Now it's time for the three-year-old girls taking part in the Heritage Place Oaks trials, a grade two event. 00:56:54.800 --> 00:57:00.480 400 yards, three-year-old Phillies, with the fastest qualifier coming out of the barn of Marco Gutierrez. 00:57:00.719 --> 00:57:02.400 And here's the call from Del Day. 00:57:02.639 --> 00:57:03.119 They're off. 00:57:03.199 --> 00:57:04.639 Her manage to little hop of the start. 00:57:04.719 --> 00:57:06.880 Likewise, the Cowboys chick is well back. 00:57:06.960 --> 00:57:08.400 Where's Queen B away sharply? 00:57:08.559 --> 00:57:09.119 Also right there. 00:57:09.199 --> 00:57:10.719 Honey in the Rock, moving well through L. 00:57:10.800 --> 00:57:12.400 We're a C trying to split rivals coming on. 00:57:12.480 --> 00:57:14.159 NSM flying Corona running a big one. 00:57:14.239 --> 00:57:16.639 It's where C on the lead on the inside to the far outside. 00:57:16.800 --> 00:57:18.079 Fly to glory is right there. 00:57:18.159 --> 00:57:19.840 Whereas Queen B trying to surge on? 00:57:20.000 --> 00:57:20.639 Not gonna happen. 00:57:20.719 --> 00:57:21.360 We're a C. 00:57:21.519 --> 00:57:22.719 We'll get there by half-length. 00:57:22.960 --> 00:57:29.199 What a C is a three-year-old Philly by Flying Cowboy 123 out of the one-dashing Eagle Mare Hillow Talk. 00:57:29.360 --> 00:57:36.880 Owned by CH Horse Racing, bred by Ellis Hank Bird, trained by Marco Gutierrez, and ridden by Jesus Ayala. 00:57:37.199 --> 00:57:45.760 And after all the dust was settled there in the Heritage Place Oaks trials, we're able to get on the phone with trainer Marco Gutierrez to talk to him about this talented Philly. 00:57:47.920 --> 00:57:53.920 Alright, on the phone with Marco Gutierrez trainer, the fastest qualifier going into the Heritage Place Oaks. 00:57:54.239 --> 00:57:59.039 Marco, talk about this horse going down the racetrack as well as the progression to this point. 00:57:59.360 --> 00:58:03.039 Well, she is uh a very nice Philly, very well bred. 00:58:03.519 --> 00:58:22.320 Um from her trial, the only thing I didn't like um was that we drew the the inside and I don't think she never ran from the inside and she lugged in a little bit and kind of was hesitant to fire off, and when she did fire off, she started running and that four horse was was catching up to her. 00:58:22.400 --> 00:58:27.599 That was my only worry, but at the wire, you know, she she got it done and she qualified with the fastest time. 00:58:28.480 --> 00:58:36.960 Other than hopefully getting a better post position at the time of the draw, what's something that you'd like to see improve going forward into the finals? 00:58:37.440 --> 00:58:39.920 I'd like to get a little better better break out of her. 00:58:40.079 --> 00:58:43.039 Um I know she's a Philly that can run 400. 00:58:43.280 --> 00:58:59.840 Um, we just might need to move some things around there to get her break a little bit sharper, but if she breaks with him, um I don't have a you know, I don't have a doubt that she can possibly go on and win it, but if we break on top, then I'll feel way more confident. 00:59:00.239 --> 00:59:04.320 Well, uh congratulations on the fastest qualifier and good luck in the finals. 00:59:04.559 --> 00:59:06.079 Thanks, I appreciate it. 00:59:06.719 --> 00:59:10.639 Alright, we'll be right back after these words from our sponsor. 00:59:10.960 --> 00:59:13.599 Let's talk about Coronado Cartel for a bit. 00:59:13.760 --> 00:59:17.519 One of the standout sires at Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma. 00:59:17.679 --> 00:59:23.920 Who qualified our dash through fire into the Heritage Place juvenile this past weekend at Remington Park? 00:59:24.079 --> 00:59:30.239 And he's just one of the sires on the very talented sire list at Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma. 00:59:30.400 --> 00:59:38.000 Also standing is the La Salle Super Derby winner, Big Lou, the all-time leading sire, first down dash, grade one runner-up, Jess Fireme. 00:59:38.079 --> 00:59:44.320 The Grade 1 winning champion, Kempton, a sire with nearly$44 million in earnings, PYC Paint Your Wagon. 00:59:44.480 --> 00:59:48.159 Sire of three champions and five millionaires, valiant hero. 00:59:48.320 --> 00:59:52.079 And introducing for 2026 the Grade 1 winning Unrelentless. 00:59:52.159 --> 00:59:55.360 All standing at Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma. 00:59:56.480 --> 01:00:03.280 Another successful year at stud is coming to an end of 2026 breeding season for Eagles Fly Higher. 01:00:03.440 --> 01:00:06.559 Standing at Lacer in Opaloosis, Louisiana. 01:00:06.719 --> 01:00:09.360 That's the Louisiana Center for Equine Reproduction. 01:00:09.519 --> 01:00:12.960 Check out his stallion page on stallionesearch.com. 01:00:13.920 --> 01:00:16.239 All right, back to the show. 01:00:16.559 --> 01:00:21.760 And jumping into the preview section for this week, we have Yancy Guiman again here. 01:00:22.000 --> 01:00:23.280 Yancy, how are you? 01:00:23.599 --> 01:00:24.320 Doing good. 01:00:24.639 --> 01:00:32.480 Yancy, the featured preview race this week is the New Mexico Breeders Faturity Restricted Grade 3 at Sunray Park. 01:00:32.719 --> 01:00:34.960 $120,000 race. 01:00:35.280 --> 01:00:37.679 Two-year-olds going 350 yards. 01:00:37.840 --> 01:00:40.559 The one that I have picked on top is Big Ted. 01:00:40.719 --> 01:00:45.360 He's already qualified for the New Mexico Spring Faturity this year. 01:00:45.440 --> 01:00:55.519 He ran third and he hopped at the start in the Faturity Final in April, but he has been very consistent, and I think he's definitely one to beat in this race. 01:00:55.840 --> 01:00:59.679 Yes, Bailey, he was really impressive on trial day. 01:00:59.760 --> 01:01:02.880 He blew away from the gates and just kind of won it

easy. 01:01:03.039 --> 01:01:07.119 Um Eric Spanzuela has been super tough in New Mexico Breads all year. 01:01:07.360 --> 01:01:09.760 I really like his other horse as well, the two. 01:01:10.079 --> 01:01:12.400 Um Super Patriot. 01:01:12.719 --> 01:01:20.639 He stumbled away from the gates, was dead last early early on, and came and ran down and ran a big race to qualify. 01:01:20.719 --> 01:01:24.800 And he as well is also qualified for maturity already this year. 01:01:25.440 --> 01:01:29.199 Right now he's 20 to 1, so that'd be a good play for betters. 01:01:29.519 --> 01:01:30.800 Yes, for sure. 01:01:31.039 --> 01:01:36.320 And another one that I think is gonna hit the board is the seven horse trained by Wes Giles. 01:01:36.480 --> 01:01:37.440 That's a Moor. 01:01:37.519 --> 01:01:42.639 He's sired by the freshman sire Elmer, and he seems to be improving every single race. 01:01:43.039 --> 01:01:45.679 Yes, I really liked that horse as well. 01:01:45.760 --> 01:01:51.840 He was another one that just flew away from the gates on trial day and pretty much had the race one at the start. 01:01:52.000 --> 01:01:54.559 Uh Wes Giles had a huge day that day. 01:01:54.639 --> 01:01:57.199 I think they won eight out of 13 races. 01:01:57.760 --> 01:01:58.159 Wow. 01:01:58.320 --> 01:02:03.280 Well, I think that this is all around a very tough race, and I'm looking forward to recapping it next week. 01:02:03.360 --> 01:02:05.039 Aren't you gonna be there, right, Yancy? 01:02:05.280 --> 01:02:07.599 Yeah, we me and my wife will be there to watch it. 01:02:07.679 --> 01:02:08.639 So awesome. 01:02:08.800 --> 01:02:10.880 Well, I look forward to hearing about it. 01:02:12.639 --> 01:02:17.440 Alright, that's all the time we have for this episode here on Quarter Horse Racing Talk Weekly. 01:02:17.519 --> 01:02:24.480 And Bailey, we've revisited this concept of educating some of the newest owners coming into the sport. 01:02:24.559 --> 01:02:27.280 And I, you know, I think people really like these things. 01:02:27.440 --> 01:02:33.599 And and without a doubt, as you know, you and I are probably the smartest two people we know, without a doubt. 01:02:33.840 --> 01:02:39.360 There's tremendous amount of information on these things that we don't actually know. 01:02:39.440 --> 01:02:46.880 That I I'm learning as I'm bringing it to the quarter horse racing world on some of these topics that we're delving out. 01:02:47.440 --> 01:02:54.800 Yes, and I think that this week the jockeys definitely bring a different perspective of what normally people don't understand about the game. 01:02:55.119 --> 01:02:55.440 Yes. 01:02:55.679 --> 01:03:10.800 And unless you're going down the lane 40 something miles an hour with your hair on fire, like these jockeys are doing and hollering and screaming and trying to get to the wire in front, you just really don't know what they've unless you've done it, you really don't know what's going on. 01:03:10.880 --> 01:03:17.760 And I'm so happy to have these guys and the connections that I can get this and bring it to you guys here on Quarter Horse Racing Talk Weekly. 01:03:18.000 --> 01:03:23.360 And uh, we got huge episodes coming up because we got these big grade one races. 01:03:23.679 --> 01:03:24.480 Won't be that long. 01:03:24.559 --> 01:03:26.079 We'll be going to Albuquerque. 01:03:26.320 --> 01:03:29.440 Yes, I'm already not looking forward to that trip. 01:03:29.840 --> 01:03:30.400 Yes. 01:03:30.960 --> 01:03:34.400 Bailey the stallioneseearch.com road warrior. 01:03:34.559 --> 01:03:38.960 Well, on behalf of Greg Thompson of Stallionesearch.com, and I'm Bailey Ivy. 01:03:39.280 --> 01:03:45.280 We look forward to bringing these so you can come in and tune in and listen here on Quarter Horse Racing Talk next week.