Jess a Flyin Beach soars in QHRAI SSA Derby Trials

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Aug. 8, 2020) – Jess a Flyin Beach and L.D. Martinez got back on track Saturday, Aug. 8 with a win in the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana (QHRAI) Stallion Service Auction Derby trials. The three-year-old son of Escondido Beach turned in the fastest time of three trials to lead the top 10 heading into the $107,332 final slated for Thursday, Aug. 27.

Starting from post eight, Jess A Flyin Beach got out of the gate near the front and was able to secure an early lead. He then extended his stride for the easy victory by three and three-quarter lengths in a time of :19.935 seconds. Coronados Lil Lady and Antonio Rodriguez moved up to second followed by Shakeitonthebeach and Shanley Jackson for third.

Jess A Flyin Beach is owned and trained by Tony Cunningham. The sophomore gelding has now won three races in eight starts lifetime.

“He turned in a great effort in the trial in his last start for the Miss Roxie Little and won but got disqualified (for interference) and missed the final,” said Cunningham. “He sure was impressive today. We just hope for luck in the final and see how he does.”

Joining Jess a Flyin Beach as a top contender and a trial winner on the day was HH CJ Shake from the Paul Martin barn. Also a son of Escondido Beach, HH CJ Shake was leading the way most of the 400-yard dash but had constant pressure from Beach Benny and L.D. Martinez. A photo at the finish line declared HH CJ Shake a winner by a neck over Beach Benny. Fast Soldier and Cesar Esqueda also won the advantage of a close photo for third over SBM Soulja Boy and Jackson.

Owned by Larry Carter, John Myers, Gary Brandon Bell and Rusty Hawkins, HH CJ Shake and Juan Marquez earned their first win of the season in four starts. The duo has been knocking at the door in their last two outings with second place finishes. HH CJ Shake was a multiple stakes winner last year at two for his connections and his earnings are now over $221,000.

“CJ is a superstar at 300 yards and he’s starting to come around at 400,” said Martin. “He faced some tough competition in Louisiana Lover in his last two starts. He has a lot of heart. We look forward to going back up against those tough horses in the final and see what he can do.”

Louisiana Lover was also a winner on the day to score the third fastest time in the trials. Owned by Duke Racing LLC, the son of The Louisiana Cartel remains perfect in three starts for 2020 with a comfortable win in his trial in :20.022. The big strided gelding hails from the Randy Smith barn and has been ridden by Sammy Mendez in all three wins this year. In all, Louisiana Lover has won seven of his 10 career starts.

The top 10 qualifiers, with jockey and time, headed to the QHRAI SSA Derby Final includes: Jess A Flyin Beach (L.D. Martinez, :19.935); HH CJ Shake (Juan Marquez, :20.017); Louisiana Lover (Sammy Mendez, :20.022); Jess Z Bob (Juan Marquez, :20.057); Beach Benny (L.D. Martinez, :20.062); Thunder Beach (Shanley Jackson, :20.186); Fast Soldier (Cesar Esqueda, :20.390); SBM Soulja Boy (Shanley Jackson, :20.397); Cinnamon Beach (Sammy Mendez, :20.405); and Incognito Escondido (L.D. Martinez, :20.523).

Cunningham and Smith will each saddle three in the final (Cunningham – Jess a Flyin Beach, Beach Benny, Incognito Escondido, and Smith – Louisiana Lover, Thunder Beach, Cinnamon Beach) while Martin saddles two (HH CJ Shake, Jess Z Bob). Of the 10 qualifiers, six are by Indiana’s top Quarter Horse sire Escondido Beach, who stands at Sheri and Glen Miller’s farm in northern Indiana.

The 21st running of the QHRAI SSA Derby will mark the first time the race has offered a purse in excess of $100,000. The race began in 2000 at Hoosier Park and was relocated along with the QHRAI SSA Futurity when the state moved all Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing to Indiana Grand during the 2013 racing season. Both stakes will be the featured event to close out the Thursday, Aug. 27 racing program.

Photos by Coady Photography