No denying HH CJ Shake in Miss Roxie Little Futurity

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Oct. 26, 2019) – He was the quickest in the trials and HH CJ Shake proved to be the quickest in the final of the $182,400 Miss Roxie Futurity at Indiana Grand Saturday, Oct. 26. The 11th running of the stakes race capped off a rich evening of racing for Quarter Horses in the state of Indiana.

Starting from post three, HH CJ Shake surged out of the gate for jockey Juan Marquez and got right into the lead position of the 10-horse field. The Escondido Beach gelding led the entire way and coming up to the wire, had an advantage by open lengths. His only pressure came from a fast-moving Beach Benny and L.D. Martinez on the outside, but HH CJ Shake was well in hand to earn his fourth consecutive win in a time of :17.873 through a steady head wind with gusts up to 21 miles per hour. Beach Benny finished second over Jess A Flyin Beach and German Rodriguez for third.

“To win three in a row is great but to win four in a row is really something to dream about,” said trainer Paul Martin. “It is extremely satisfying to see him win in a race like that. There are a lot of really talented horses in that group. He pulled up very well after his trial and showed us he could perform at a very high level. He’s been training super up to this final.”

HH CJ Shake completed his freshman campaign with five wins in seven starts and earnings in excess of $185,000. He is owned by Larry Carter, John Myers, Gary Brandon Bell and Rusty Hawkins. Carter and Myers bred the gelding, who was greeted in the winner’s circle by an extended group of family and friends trackside to enjoy the victory in the Little Futurity.

“These owners own the mare and he (HH CJ Shake) is a half brother to HH Kentucky Krome, who is a stakes winner,” added Martin. “Everything this mare (Shakem Jake) has had has been a stakes winner so far. She puts a lot of desire in these colts and also a brain, which makes them really nice horses to train.”

The win was one of two on the card for Martin and Marquez, who also teamed up earlier in the night with Jess Z Bob in a two-year-old maiden. Marquez has ridden HH CJ Shake to all his wins in his four-race win streak.

“We plan to give ‘CJ’ a good long break,” continued Martin. “We will bring him back next year and see if he wants to be a Derby horse and stretch him out.”