Kiss a Favorite says goodbye in Jaguar Rocket Trials at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Kiss a Favorite and Martin Munoz kissed the field goodbye in the final trial of the Jaguar Rocket Futurity Thursday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

The duo’s time of 17.673 seconds topped the group of 10 two-year-olds headed to the $134,200 final.

Starting from post eight, Kiss A Favorite (main photo) came into the trial looking for his first win off three previous starts. The Ricardo Martinez-trained filly had focus out of the gate. The Kiss My Hocks filly carried her speed all the way through the 350-yard dash for the win by one length under wraps by Munoz.

Candysfirst and Eduardo Diaz finished second over his older brother, Edgar Diaz, who rode Ima Dashin Cartel to a third-place finish.

Kiss A Favorite was the favorite, paying $3.80 for the win. She is a homebred by Martinez, who also owns her. She is the latest runner from his tough brood mare Eyes A Favorite, who has produced multiple Indiana stakes winner Nachor Secret.

Behind Kiss A Favorite was first trial winner Cowgirl Beach, who also comes from a stakes winning family. Trained by Jessi Vazquez and ridden by her husband, Giovani, Cowgirl Beach kicked off the trials with a commanding win by one and one-half lengths in 17.699. Tessla and Fernando Morin finished second over Thirty Six Bricks and L. Daniel Martinez.

“I was just worried that she (Cowgirl Beach) wouldn’t handle pressure inside the gates, that was my main concern,” said Vazquez, who is the track’s all-time leading female Quarter Horse trainer. “I know she could do it if she broke out of there. She’s always been good about breaking and she’s a runner.”

Cowgirl Beach (photo) was making her second career start in the trial for owner Darryl Murray. She was a $43,000 purchase from the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale last fall. The Flying Cowboy 123 filly was bred by Sheri Miller and is the daughter of former Indiana stakes contender Coco Beach.

“She keeps getting better and better,” added Vazquez. “She ran second in her first out which was a very muddy track. She did much better here with a better track. She’s gonna get more mature as she goes. I’ve liked her since the beginning. My husband knew the mama (Coco Beach). He rode her, and because she’s out of Flying Cowboy 123, we knew she was probably the best out of the pack.”

The final 10 advancing to the Jaguar Rocket Futurity Final, in order with time and jockey, includes Kiss A Favorite (17.673, Martin Munoz); Cowgirl Beach (17.699, Giovani Vazquez-Gomez); Candysfirst (17,833, Eduardo Diaz); Queenvn Chic (17.850, Fernando Morin); Code Blu (17.873, Rolando Pina); Lets Get After It (17.888, German Rodriguez); Jess R Patriot (17.941, Rolando Pina); Tessla (17.959, Fernando Morin); Ima Dashin Cartel (17.973, Edgar Diaz); and Thirty Six Bricks (17.986, L. Daniel Martinez) and Vikina (17.986, Martin Munoz) had the same times in a quest for a top 10 spot.

A shake will take place to determine the horse that advances to the final.

Both Tim Eggleston and Claudio Barraza will saddle three for the final. Eggleston had Candysfirst, Code Blu, and Jess R Patriot qualify while Barraza will saddle Queenvn Chic, Tessla, and Ima Dashin Cartel.

All trial winners are advancing to the final (Kiss A Favorite, Cowgirl Beach, Queenvn Chic, and Code Blu).

The Jaguar Rocket Futurity Final will be featured during the all-Quarter Horse racing program at 10:45 a.m. on July 19 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The day features more than a half million in purses with four stakes on the program.

Trials for the Gordon Mobley, Heartland Futurity, and Blue River Derby are set over the next few days to determine the final fields for Quarter Horse Stakes Day.

Nationally known racing analyst Martha Claussen will be trackside to help present all races.

The 23^rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Nov. 13.

For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit www.caesars.com/horseshoe-indianapolis/racing or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing.

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