LAJOLLA FAMOSA, WAYWARD WINGS, EYE YIN FURY

SCORE IN SANDY DOWNS TRIALS

Duo Leading Contenders for Hawthorne Futurity and Hadtobenuts Derby

IDABET.COM, CO-PROMOTIONS WITH

LES BOIS LEAD TO IDAHO RACING RESURGENCE

Gary and Jeralyn Messenger’s LAJOLLA FAMOSA victory in a division of the $24,000 Hadtobenuts Derby Trials on Friday at Sandy Downs, is just one of the bright spots of Idaho racing emerging from Idaho Falls.  Earlier in the card, WAYWARD WINGS had the fastest time of the three divisions of the $32,000 Hawthorne Futurity Trials.  Both stakes will be contested on closing night, Saturday, July 30.

Leading jockey Paul Greene guided Lajolla Famosa to his sixth career victory in twelve starts for the meet’s top conditioner Brett Vickery.  The 3-year-old Idaho-bred by Streakin Lajolla out of Go For Flame broke third and quickly took the lead to cover the 400-yard test in 19.639 seconds.  He paid $3.20 to win as the favorite.  Dan Moon, sponsor of the Derby saw his charge Hadtobewinner, the son of Hadtobenuts close to finish a half length back at 10 to 1 odds.

Moon had even better luck with Wayward Wings, the speediest in the Hawthorne Futurity Trials.  The daughter of Hadtobenuts went 350 yards in 17.588 seconds for her second score in four races this year to emerge as the favorite in the July 30 finals.  Once again, Brett Vickery saddled the race winner. The Idaho-bred paid $9.60 in easily beating runner up Lp Jesses Ace by 1 ¼ lengths.  That combination provided for some wild payoffs   Though going off at 7-1, Lp Jesses Ace paid $27.00 for place and created a $2 quinella that returned a whopping $235.60

Eye Yin Fury made it two out of three in the two-year-old trials going 18.170 seconds over the 350 yards distance with Justin Hollingsworth in the irons. Owned by Andrea and Eddy Jensen, the Utah-bred son of Eye Yin You returned $3.20.  The Robert Smith-trained gelding will be one of the favorites for the Futurity with his score.

With eight days of the 12-day card completed, Paul Greene is the leading jockey at Sandy Downs with 13 wins out of 41 starts and an impressive 28 finishes in the money.  Tyson Lusk is the runner up with 8 visits to the winner’s circle.  Brett Vickery is a runaway for the trainer’s title with his horses crossing the wire 14 times and 33 runners hitting the board from 60 starts.

Denny and Sandy Weigt’s Illtacmanhattan remained undefeated in five starts by capturing the $44,010 John Deere Sandy Downs Challenge Finals for two-year-old quarterhorses at 350 yards on June 25.  With hot jockey Nikeela Black aboard, the filly went wire to wire in 17.579 in a field of eight. Trained by Monty Arrossa, Illtacmanhattan paid 5.20 to win and increased her maiden season earnings to nearly $44,000.  Black has had to limit her riding to prepare to take the Idaho bar after graduating law school at the University of Idaho in May.

Flyin Rose set a track record in breaking her maiden in her debut performance.  The 2-year-old filly romped to a 4 ¾ victory in just 15.246 seconds for the 300 yards test on June 25 for owners Dennie and Kris Hill.

The resurgence of racing in Idaho was not limited to Sandy Downs.  Track operators Jim and Melissa Bernard opened their first Turf Club off track betting venue this spring inside the Fort Hall Casino.  Utilizing state of the art technology, the Turf Club offers convenient wagering in a plush setting seven day a week.

The Bernard’s are also setting the pace with the first anniversary of their Idabet.com, the state’s exclusive ADW or online wagering service.  Idabet.com now hosts bettors from coast to coast who have the opportunity to bet on more than 350 worldwide racetracks.

“Our players in Idaho and throughout the country have been able to watch and wager on everything from the Dubai Cup to the Hollywood Gold Cup.  This year we added the tracks in New York and California giving them the opportunity to bet two of the greatest meets of the year starting next week at Saratoga and Del Mar,” said company president Jim Bernard.

The growth of Idabet.com in the last quarter has been as fast as an AQHA Derby with daily business increasing more than 1000%.  “It is so gratifying seeing a racing fan from Florida or Ohio using an Idaho based business to enjoy and support our sport,” said Melissa Bernard, Idabet’s director.  “The bottom line is the growth of Sandy Downs, Fort Hall and Idabet.com means more revenue and exposure for Idaho racing, owners, trainers and breeders. Add the reopening of Les Bois Park and there’s unbridled optimism for Idaho racing,” added Melissa Bernard.

Last Wednesday, Idabet.com teamed up with Treasure Valley Racing, operators of Les Bois to allow Idabet.com players to watch live video of the Boise track and wager from almost anyplace across the country.  Idabet.com will continue to feature Les Bois for the rest of their season.    To ensure more fans turn their attention to Idaho racing, the Bernards are paying top bonus rewards to players who bet those tracks.

“There’s still a long way to go to get Idaho racing on strong footing, especially when you are competing with casino-enriched purses and breeding funds in so many states.  However, the cooperation between tracks and horsemen and the legislature’s positive response to our efforts should give all Idaho racing enthusiasts plenty to look forward,” added Jim Bernard.

Racing continues at Sandy Downs on Friday and Saturday, July 22, 23, 29 and 30 with post time at 6 p.m. MDT.