BLAZIN FIRE REPEATS IN JOHN DEERE DISTAFF

COURTESY OF STALLIONESEARCH.COM AND LOS ALAMITOS.COM

BLAZIN FIRE WINS JOHN DEERE AGAIN


Dan and Lisa McMahon's Blazin Fire successfully defended her title in the $32,310 John Deere California Region Distaff Challenge thanks to a powerful finish in the 400-yard race on Sunday at Los Alamitos.



Ridden by Cody Jensen for trainer Paul Jones, Blazin Fire became the second mare to win this race more than once and the first to win it in consecutive years. Her victory earns the daughter of This Snow Is Royal a berth to the Grade 1 $100,000 John Deere Distaff Challenge Championship to be held at Los Alamitos on Saturday, November 3.



Blazin Fire did not run in last year's edition of the John Deere final at Lone Star Park, as her connections instead decided to run her in races such as the Z. Wayne Griffin Directors Trials and the prestigious Champion of Champions. With this year's Bank of America Racing Challenge scheduled for Los Alamitos, you can be sure that Blazin Fire will have her sights set on this year's John Deere. Sparky Mullins' talented Eyesa Country Miss, the Oklahoma regional winner, and Love To Finish First, the Northwest regional winner, head Blazin Fire's list of potential rivals for this year's John Deere. Love To Finish First ran in this regional event, finishing seventh.



Blazin Fire won this race thanks to her big late run. The Tennessee-bred 5-year-old mare broke inward and bumped a rival but still managed to find herself only 1/4 length behind the early leaders. Blazin Fire dominated once she found her best stride, going on to win by a neck over Charger Bar Handicap winner What A Performance. She earned $16,155 for the win, which was her ninth in 27 career starts. Strength In Numbers ran third and was followed across the wire by Jess Maganette, Mia Jones, A Rare Cartel, Love To Finish First, Jess Almighty, Jess Because and Bench Mark Dove. Painted Silk was scratched.



John Deere California Region Distaff Challenge (G3)

$32,310, Los Alamitos, Aug 19, 3 year-olds & up, Ffillies and Mares, 400 yards

1. Blazin Fire, sor. m. 5, by This Snow Is Royal--Blazin Sin, by Easy Crimson, Bred by Dan or Lisa McMahon (TN). Owner- McMahon, Lisa and Dan. Trainer-Paul C. Jones. Jockey-Cody Jensen.

2. What a Performance, sor. m. 5, by Streakin La Jolla--What a Bubble, by Calyx, Bred by Harris Racing Stables Inc (TX). Owner-Felix A. Gonzalez. Trainer-Adan Farias. Jockey-Rodrigo Aceves.

3. Strength in Numbers, sor. f. 4, by Strawfly Special--Strength of Heart, by Heza Fast Man, Bred by Double Bar S Ranch LLC (CA). Owner-Benny Rossett. Trainer-Paul C. Jones. Jockey-Cesar DeAlba.

Margins: nk, no, 1
Value to winner: $16,155 2nd $6,462 3rd $3,231
Time: 19.561
Track: Fast