Carters Law rules in Jaguar Rocket Futurity

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (July 3, 2021) – Carters Law turned in the fastest trial time of four during the Jaguar Rocket Futurity Saturday, July 3. A total of 34 two-year-olds were seeking a spot in the $100,000 final slated for Saturday, July 24, and Carters Law established herself as one of the favorites for the final.

Carters Law came into her trial with a maiden-breaking victory, which made her a favorite of the field. The grey daughter of Carters Cartel was up to the task, placing herself as a contender throughout before moving into the top spot for the win by three-quarters of a length in :15.475. Mr Michel and Jose Beltran finished second over Independent Eagle and Shanley Jackson for third.

Carters Law, trained by Randy Smith, is owned by breeder Gordon Timm. Ridden by Sammy Mendez, she is now two for two in her brief career.

The second fastest time trial was recorded by Zack James of the Ron Raper Stable. The Ivory James freshman, ridden by Shanley Jackson, was quick out of the gate and on top in the blink of an eye, rallying home to a one and one-quarter length win in :15.551. Tooyahbooya DHD and Erik Esqueda finished second over All Star Beach and L.D. Martinez for third.

Zack James recorded his first career win in the trial. He is owned by Tina and Kevin Cleary and was bred by the Cleary family.

“This horse eats and sleeps all the time,” smiled Raper, who has eight leading trainer titles to his credit at Indiana Grand. “He wastes no energy around the barn. He’s a perfect gentleman until he gets around another horse and then he wants to run. He definitely likes to run.”

Other winners in the Jaguar Rocket Futurity trials included Ravin Stone from the Tony Cunningham barn, who earned his win in :15.763 with L.D. Martinez aboard, and Paint Your Legacy, with Berkley Packer in the saddle, in a time of :15.612.

The full field headed to the final of the Jaguar Rocket Futurity, with jockey and time, includes: Carters Law (Sammy Mendez, :15.475); Zack James (Shanley Jackson, :15.551); Mr Michel (Jose Beltran, :15.583); Paint Your Legacy (Berkley Packer, :15.612); Ravin Stone (L.D. Martinez, :15.763); Tooyahbooya DHD (Erik Esqueda, :15.766); DNA Secret Fighter (German Rodriguez, :15.825); All Star Beach (L.D. Martinez, :15.840); Bye Bye B Train (L.D. Martinez, :15.888); and Stoney Beach (Erik Esqueda, :15.901). Trainer Tony Cunningham, who had 28 horses in the 16-race card, will saddle five in the final while Randy Smith, who had 34 total horses in during the All-Quarter Horse card, will saddle three.

Photos by Coady Photography