Favorite Blues Man, ridden by Francisco Calderon, wins the $152,600 Grade 2 Dash For Cash Derby at Lone Star Park Saturday night by 1 1/2-lengths.

© Dustin Orona Photography

GRANDE PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 1, 2022–Favorite Blues Man scores his first stakes win in the $152,600 Grade 2 Dash For Cash Derby at Lone Star Park Saturday night.

Rolando Almanza saddled Favorite Blues Man who was fastest qualifier in the trials and heavy favorite to win the 400-yard stakes race. Francisco Calderon guided the three-year-old gelding to a gate-to-wire victory by 1 1/2-lengths. Even though they were bumped at the start, the duo overpowered the competition clocking a 99 speed index in :21.339 seconds.

Trainer Rolando Almanza said “Yeah, I’m real happy, you know, we’re really blessed to be in the winner’s circle with such an amazing horse and thanks to Javier for giving us the opportunity to train this horse. We couldn’t ask for anything better.”  

Favorite Blues Man has five career wins with $271,466 in earnings, including a fourth place finish in the Ruidoso Derby (G1) earlier this year. “After checking his xrays and everything comes out good, next up for Favorite Blues Man is the Texas Classic,” says Almanza.

The winning connections of Favorite Blues Man accept the Dash For Cash Derby stakes trophy Saturday at Lone Star Park. © Dustin Orona Photography

Bred by Lucky Seven Ranch, Favorite Blues Man’s dam is the Mr Jess Perry mare Amore La Blue, who is out of World Champion and multi-millionaire Blues Girl Too. The son of Favorite Cartel is owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC.

Ridden by Victor Urieta, Jr., Kas Shes Ec was best of the rest placing second by a neck and her 14-1 odds at the post paid $11.00 to show. The daughter of EC Jet One has lit the board 12 of 14 starts with six career wins and $209,327 in earnings, including her most recent victories in the TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby and La Villita Stakes earlier this season.

Kas Shes Ec is bred and owned by Francisco Garza of Texas and her dam is Beaukas by Make It Anywhere. She is conditioned by Juan Diaz, Jr.

Cell Bounce, with Rodrigo Vallejo in the irons, made a solid effort for third. Conditioned by Heath Taylor, the son of Corona Cartel has 4 wins and $73,812 in career earnings. 

Breeder McColee Land & Livestock, LLC sold Cell Bounce to his current owner Victory Farms for $110,000 in the 2020 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. His dam is the One Famous Eagle mare My Famous Lady, who is a half-sister to champions Noconi and Brenda Beautiful and out of the AQHA Dam of Distinction and Broodmare of the Year My Dashing Lady.

The remaining order of finish is Just Call Me Jess, Lil Longmire, Coronas Candy Man, Rainbow To Roses, Smoky Ice, Dealarunner and Pycfastandfamous.