Shesa First Ratify Shows Class With Lubbock Stakes Win at Zia Park

HOBBS, New Mexico (October 2, 2010) – Sandy Erwin’s homebred Shesa First Ratify, runner-up in the 2009 $1.9 million All American Futurity, displayed her considerable class to easily win the Grade 2, $55,000 Lubbock Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Zia Park.

Shesa First Ratify, the 6-5 favorite, broke alertly from the outside post position in the field of seven fillies and mares. Jockey Jacky Martin let her settle into stride and she rolled to the lead at the halfway mark of the 400-yard test. She drifted inward in front of the grandstand, but was well in front and crossed the finish line one length ahead of runner-up Classic Callan. Corona For You was a neck behind Classic Callan for third.

A gray daughter of all-time leading sire First Down Dash, Shesa First Ratify raced the 400 yards in :19.222 for her first stakes win.

The Jose Dominguez-trained sophomore filly impressed in the 2009 All American Futurity when she finished second behind Running Brook Gal, who went on to win the Grade 1, $300,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship at Zia Park and be named champion 2-year old.

After a winter break, Shesa First Ratify returned this summer at Ruidoso Downs and finished off the boarding her Ruidoso Derby and Rainbow Derby trials with considerable trouble in each race.

Shesa First Ratify then improved in her All American Derby trial when she finished a close second behind Callan Rocks and earned a spot in the Grade 1, $1,548,000 All American Derby. She finished eighth in the All American Derby.

The earner of $423,000 then found Zia Park to her liking with a dominating allowance win in her start prior to the Lubbock Stakes. In that 400-yard $27,200 conditioned allowance race she drew off to win by one-and-one half lengths with an excellent :19.135 time for the 400 yards.

Runner-up Classic Callan, owned by Refugio Luna, won her maiden two starts ago in her eighth career out. She then showed promise with a second behind Rainbow Derby winner Swingin Daddyo in their All American Derby trial.

Third-place finisher Corona For You placed in her fourth-straight stakes. She was second in a pair of minor stakes at Arapahoe Park and then won the La Mariposa Stakes at SunRay Park.

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