Racing


Big Run Garners Grants Pass Derby for Ez Frosty Morn
Grants Pass Downs hosted the Grants Pass Derby on Sunday's race card.

© Grants Pass
Big Run Garners Grants Pass Derby for Ez Frosty Morn

GRANTS PASS, OR—JULY 9, 2017—Ridden by jockey Nate Parker, Ez Frosty Morn scored his third win of the season from four starts when he defeated L Bar D Genuine Red by a neck in the $11,050 Grants Pass Derby (not black type) at Grants Pass Downs. L Bar D Bonnie Lee finished half-a-length back in third place.

A late run by the son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash put the bay gelding over the 400 yard course in :20.077 seconds, a 102 speed index into a 5 mph crosswind.

Scott Raley saddled the Oregon homebred to his third win in 10 starts for owner Connie Chumbley. Gary Chumbley bred Ez Frosty Morn from the Georgias Easy mare Easy Verna. The $4,420 derby purse boosted his earnings total to $13,062.

Last season Ez Frosty Morn was a qualifier to the Far West Futurity and Baxter Andruss Futurity, both at Portland Meadows.

Post-time favorite L Bar D Genuine Red dueled early but was out finished to settle for the second place payday worth $2,210. Hillary Durham owns-and-trains the stakes winning son of Genuine Strawfly from the Ought To Be First mare Be First Rose.

Kassie Guglielmino had the riding call aboard the earner of nearly $33,000. Last season the sorrel gelding won the aforementioned Far West Futurity at Portland Meadows. Darrell and Linda Sanders is the breeder.

Also bred by the Sanders, L Bar D Bonnie Lee picked up $1,658 for her third place effort. Hector Magallanes trains the Giorgino filly for owner Hernan Torres. Jose Figueroa was aboard the bay filly out of Dash Home Deb by Strawfly Special.

Completing the official order of finish were Downside Embezzler, Cm Wood Blue, Jesses Claim Ta Fame and Xiaomi.