Challenge


Giving Freely Cruises To Victory In John Deere California Juvenile At Los Alamitos
Giving Freely, under jockey Jonathan Roman, winning the$43,291 John Deere Juvenile California final Saturday night at Los Alamitos Race Course.

© Scott Martinez
Giving Freely Cruises To Victory In John Deere California Juvenile At Los Alamitos

LOS ALAMITOS, CA—AUGUST 17, 2019—For the second time in the last three years, Reliance Ranches LLC and trainer Mike Robbins celebrated a victory in the John Deere California Juvenile Regional Challenge at Los Alamitos.

The owner/trainer combination won the 2017 running with the homebred Corona Cartel filly SC Vapor Trail. On Saturday night, they enjoyed another win in this race, and similarly to two years ago it came courtesy of another homebred filly by Corona Cartel named Giving Freely.

Ridden by Jonathan Roman for trainer Mike Robbins, Giving Freely was superb in the $43,291 John Deere Juvenile California final, as she took the lead a few steps out of the gate in route to a half-length victory over fastest qualifier CM Singing The Blues. Giving Freely had previously finished second to CM Singing The Blues in the trials, but on this night it was her turn to shine.

"She was strong," Roman said. "She broke great and did everything right. She was outstanding the whole way. We had no trouble at all and she had room to run. We were able to deliver a nice result."

A half-sister to Grade 1 finalist Peighnt Your Fate, Giving Freely is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Fate Cant Weight. The sorrel filly is now a winner of two of five career starts and after earning $20,347 for this victory she's now earned $25,747 in her career. The win earns Giving Freely a berth to the John Deere Juvenile Challenge final to be held at The Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday, October 26.

Roman, 26, continues to make this most out of his opportunities. Roman was aboard Twisted Sifter in seven of his nation's best eight victories in 2018. His 18 wins this year have come for 10 different trainers and earlier this season he guided Eagles Policy to an upset win over AQHA champion 3-year-old Hotstepper in the Independence Day Handicap. Always humble, Roman is always thankful for the opportunities that come his way.

"I've helped Mike Robbins gallop horses over the years and I was fortunate to have a chance to ride several nice horses for him last year. He told me that he would give an opportunity this year and he's done that. I'm very thankful for that."

Randy Dickerson's CM Singing The Blues was fifth after the first 100 yards, but came flying late in the race to finish second. The Oregon-bred gelding by Inseperable earned $8,658 for his runner-up effort. He's now made $15,137 and has finished in the money in five of six starts career starts.

Marin Jones and Steve McIntyre's Shez Divine, a Big Daddy Cartel half-sister to Grade 2 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity winner Cole Man 47, earned $4,329 for running third.

Invader, Tobi James, SC South Sixteen, Lager Lady, and Kiss Fast Zoom completed the field.

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Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.