Father of the year Vekoma won his first black-type competition. Louisiana Jess ran away from the field at the DS Shine Young Futurity on August 3 at Evangeline Downs.
Starting from the inside, the colt was close in front from the start before rider Brian Hernandez Jr. sent the 2-year-old three wide around the challenging 5 1/2-furlong turn. Big Rasee The son of Vekoma continued to strengthen and overtook the leader to win by five lengths in 1:05.67 on a fast main track.
Bred by Clear Creek Stud and Warren Harang, Louisiana, Jess is out of Tale of the Cat mare Miss Jazebel. Owned by Mansfield Racing and trained by Bret Calhoun, Louisiana, Jess was purchased for $50,000 at Fasig-Tipton’s The July Sale 2023 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.
The colt was unbeaten in two starts and won prize money of $82,320.
Vekoma, who won the $15,000 prize this year at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington, had 32 racehorses and 13 winners in his first-generation group at the track as of Aug. 3.
A millionaire in his racing days ($1,245,535), the Kentucky-born Vekoma has a 6-0-1 record in eight starts. His record includes wins in the 2020 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and Carter Handicap (G1), the 2019 Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and the 2018 Nashua Stakes (G3).
The horse was bred by Alpha Delta Stables and owned by RA Hill Stables and Gatsas Stables.
Videotapes: DS Shine Young Future (BT)
