Hard To Politic Tops Sweetwater Downs Maturity Qualifiers

Multiple graded stakes winner Hard To Politic turned in the fastest qualifying time Sunday afternoon when two trials were contested for the $50,000-added Sweetwater Downs Maturity at Sweetwater Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from the 400-yard trials will return Sunday, September 6, for the final for 4-year-olds and older.

Hard To Politic powered to a one-length victory over Mysterious Cartel in the first trial, stopping the timer in :19.481 for the fastest qualifying time. The 4-year-old gelding took command during the race and held his advantage to the wire. The trial was contested over a fast track with a 15-mph crosswind.

Samuel Mendoza owns and trains Hard To Politic, who was ridden by Juan Pulido. Bred in Oklahoma by Louis A. Malechek III, the sorrel gelding is by leading sire Apollitical Jess from the Foose mare Hardtoget

Hard To Politic entered Sunday's trials as a multiple graded stakes winner with seven victories from 12 career starts and earnings of $189,497. His victories include the Grade 2 Mr Jet Moore Stakes, Restricted Grade 2 Boyd Morris Memorial Stakes and Rainbow Juvenile Stakes. He was also a finalist in the Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity and Grade 1 Leo Stakes.

Mysterious Cartel finished second to Hard To Politic in the opening trial and posted the second-fastest qualifying time of :19.650. The 4-year-old gelding chased the winner through the stretch but could not close the gap, finishing one length behind.

Luis A. Gonzalez owns Mysterious Cartel, who is trained by Adrian Zavala and was ridden by Cesar T. Moreno. Bred in Texas by J/R Robicheaux and Spanish Moss Quarter Horses, he is by champion Five Bar Cartel from the Valiant Hero mare Mysterious Night. Mysterious Cartel was a $31,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate.

A graded stakes winner, Mysterious Cartel has won nine of 22 career starts, with nine seconds and two thirds, while earning $269,883. His stakes victories include the Grade 3 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship and the 307HR Open Maturity. He has also finished second in the AQHA Emerald Downs Championship Challenge, Energy Downs Derby and Beehive Juvenile Stakes, and third in the Far West Futurity and Sweetwater Downs Derby

Love Kiss J Lee won the second trial in :20.063, defeating Duckys Dynasty by a half-length. The 7-year-old Kiss My Hocks gelding dug in late after vying for the lead to secure the victory.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, and jockeys.

The $25,000-added Sweetwater Downs Maturity Consolation (not black type) will also be contested on Sunday, September 6. For those horses, CLICK HERE.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.