WRs Apolliticalivory remains undefeated in QHRAI Derby Trials
- Tammy Knox
- Oct 3, 2020
- 3 min read
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Oct. 3, 2020) – One word can sum up WRs Apolliticalivory. The three-year-old gelding is a beast. Owned by Gwen and Randy Williams’ Williams Racing Stable, the son of Apollitical Blood is now four for four this season at Indiana Grand, winning the first trial of the QHRAI Derby Saturday, Oct. 3.
Starting from post seven, it wasn’t the greatest start for WRs Apolliticalivory. The sophomore stumbled out of the gate and once he got his feet under him, he was in tight quarters with some bumping before breaking loose. The final half of the 400-yard dash was where he shined. Jockey Sammy Mendez tapped him a few times for more speed, and then just held on as the gelding crossed under the wire for the win by a head in :20.317. Vegas Corona and Erik Esqueda finished second over Passenger Train and L.D. Martinez for third.
WRs Apolliticalivory is now six for eight lifetime with more than $130,000 in career earnings. The homebred is trained by Randy Smith, Indiana Grand’s all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer.
“He didn’t get a good break today, but he decided to run,” said Smith. “He’s a racehorse. We just try to keep him quiet, because he’s not quiet by nature. That’s why it takes four of us to saddle him in the paddock. He’s getting better at running with age, but he sure isn’t getting better at saddling with age.”
Out of the mare Sassy Follies, WRs Apolliticalivory is the only one for Williams Racing Stable that has stood out. Randy Williams noted the mare had a lot of speed and raced for them but had reoccurring chips in her knees that eventually forced retirement.
“We raised the mare (dam of WRs Apolliticalivory) and when we retired her, she had three foals for us,” said Williams. “The first one, we didn’t like, so we sold it. The second one was extremely crooked legged, and ‘Ivory’ is the third foal we got from her. We were having trouble getting her pregnant and had an offer to sell her, so we did, so we don’t have her anymore.”
In the second of two trials, Flyweight Carver and Juan Marquez also kept up their win streak, scoring their third straight victory this season in four starts. The Wave Carver filly got out of the gate quickly from post one and was all alone along the inside. She had control of the race for most of the sprint, fending off Shes Relentlesswagon and Antonio Rodriguez from the middle of the track to finish second. First Hero V and Erik Esqueda finished third.
Flyweight Carver is a homebred owned by Leephonso Jenkins’ Stick and Move Stables. Randy Thompson trains the flashy grey filly, who only had two starts at two. She increased her career bankroll to more than $25,000 with the win.
The entire field of qualifiers for the QHRAI Derby Final, with jockey and time, includes: WRs Apolliticalivory (Sammy Mendez, :20.317); Vegas Corona (Erik Esqueda, :20.338); Passenger Train (L. D. Martinez, :20.491); Justafamilytradition (Shanley Jackson, :20.506); Flyweight Carver (Juan Marquez, :20.577); Shes Relentlesswagon (Antonio Rodriguez, :20.602); Coronados Lil Lady (Antonio Rodriguez, :20.622); First Hero V (Erik Esqueda, :20.679); Merciless Fire (Juan Cruz, :20.717); and Relentless Chick (Cesar Esqueda, :20.719). Trainer Ricardo Martinez will saddle two (Shes Relentlesswagon, Coronados Lil Lady) and Trainer Claudio Barraza will prep two for the final (Vegas Corona, First Hero V).
The $100,000 QHRAI Derby will be one of four stakes on the final all-Quarter Horse racing card for 2020 at Indiana Grand. The day is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 with purses reaching over the $500,000 mark.
Photos by Coady Photography
Comments