HIGHEASTERJET HANDICAP

COURTESY OF STALLIONESEARCH.COM

History Repeats With Ketel Won’s Higheasterjet Win at Ruidoso Downs


RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 30, 2007—Owner R.D. Hubbard, trainer Paul Jones and jockey Freddie Martinez teamed up to win the $40,000 Higheasterjet Handicap for the second straight year when Ketel Won pulled away to a 1-length win on Saturday afternoon.

A year ago, the same team combined to win with Planet Holland, who set the track and world record of :17.008 for 350 yards with his devastating victory. Ketel Won raced the distance in :17.295.

“He broke with them and about 150 yards out of there he just pulled away,” Martinez said. “Distance is no problem for him.”

A superbly conformed copper-hued chestnut, Ketel Won showed potential last year when he qualified for the Rainbow and All American derbies. He then went on to gain his first stakes placing when he was third in the Hobbs America Derby at Zia Park. The Higheasterjet was his first stakes win.

Zia Park is in the Stoli son’s future. Hubbard indicated he will be pointed to the All American Gold Cup at Ruidoso Downs and then the Zia Championship at Zia Park in December.

Sheza Black Dasher, by Some Dasher, was second, a half length ahead of third-place finisher the Dash Ta Fame five-year-old gelding Familiar Hush.

Ketel Won rewarded his supporters with $7.80, $4.00 and $3.80. Sheza Black Dasher paid $4.20 and $3.00 while Familiar Hush was worth $8.00 to show.