Racing


Eyesa Special Shadow Explosive in Dan Lockie Derby at Miles City
The $20,305 Dan Lockie Derby was one of two stakes on the Mile City Sunday race card.

© Miles City Montana Allen Russell Photography
Eyesa Special Shadow Explosive in Dan Lockie Derby at Miles City

MILES CITY, MT—MAY 21, 2017—It was another familiar exacta for trainer Jesse Villegas at Miles City on Sunday, but unlike the photo finish in the Bucking Horse Sale Futurity, Eyesa Special Shadow ($6.60) won the $20,305 Dan Lockie Derby convincingly over stablemate Eyesa Special Harper.

Owned by Juanita Villegas and ridden by Luis Peralta, Eyesa Special Shadow was the second-fastest qualifier for the Derby. Peralta guided Eyesa Special Shadow to a half-length victory in the 350-yard event in :17.000 to earn a 104 speed index.

Bred by Broken Bones Cattle Company, Eyesa Special Shadow is by Eyesa Special Slim, out of Lil Shameless Angel, by First N Six, making him a full brother to Eyesa Special Cirrus, fastest qualifier and second-place finisher in the BHS Futurity earlier on the card.

The Wyoming-bred gelding now has five wins in eight starts and has lifetime earnings of $22,451. Though he had previously qualified for last year’s BHS Futurity as well as two futurities in Wyoming, this was his first stakes win.

Broken Bones Cattle Company also bred and owns second-place finisher Eyesa Special Harper, who, like the winning horse, is by Eyesa Special Slim and is out of a different First N Six mare, Streakin Camilla.

Sam Padilla was aboard Eyesa Special Harper for the first time; Peralta is the filly’s regular rider. Eyesa Special Harper won the $37,650 Wyoming All Breed Futurity and the $37,100 Wyoming Bred Futurity last summer.

Eyesa Special Harper finished strongly to pull away from third-place finisher Go Roller Coaster by half a length. Go Roller Coaster, also a Jesse Villegas trainee, is owned and bred by Gerald Kaul. The Wyoming-bred gelding is by Brindis Por Cayenne, out of the First Down Dash mare Dashetta Go. Manuel Estrada had the mount.

Completing the field were Had to Be Dreaming, Super Coup Counter, Zebbies Lil Wrangler, Jessa Jet and Runnin Bear Nay Kid.