Brazilian star Miss Isao Jqm, under jockey Henry Lopez, wins her first stakes in the US on Sunday in the $30,000 Dashingly Handicap at Los Alamitos Race Course.

© William Zuazo

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–JANUARY 5, 2025–Owned and bred by Pedro Barbizan Santiago Leite, the Brazilian-bred superstar Miss Isao Jqm earned her first stakes victory in the United States after taking the $20,000 Dashingly Handicap in convincing fashion on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Undefeated in her 10 starts in South America in 2022, Miss Isao Jqm has made a total of four starts at Los Alamitos and she’s finished second or better in every one of them.

She’s terrific in her last two starts, winning an allowance event by a half-length on November 17, and has now added a half-length win in the Dashingly at 350 yards.

Jennifer Jaramillo presents the Dashingly Handicap stakes trophy to trainer James Glenn, Jr., and jockey Henry Lopez. © William Zuazo

She covered the distance in :17.615 as the second choice in the wagering at 3-1. Henry Reynoso Lopez piloted the 6-year-old mare by Mr Jess Perry for trainer James Glenn, Jr. She is out of the Corona Cartel the Cortona Cartel.

"Miss Isao Jqm is coming back into her prime after a two-year hiatus from racing," said Vince Genco, who manages her in the United States. "Until she came to Los Alamitos, she had never run without lane barriers and had never run at night. (Trainer) Jimmy Glenn has done an excellent job training her and has been very patient with her acclimation to conditions here. We look forward to continuing her campaign at Los Alamitos in 2025."

Miss Isao Jqm earned $11,000 for the win to take her career earnings to $157,697. Of that amount, $135,000 was earned in Brazil thanks to her victories in the Grande Premio, the Megarace, the Sao Paulo, and the Consagracao. Her racing success has made her a big source of pride for the Brazilian Quarter Horse racing industry.

"They are so proud of this mare and she’s a big part of their lives," Glenn said. "I’m sure they’re tickled for this win and I’m tickled for them. She had not run in two years. When she got here (after her 2022 racing season), they took some embryos out of her. It added up to two years off. She’s rounding into form. It’s just taken her a little while, but she’s getting better and better with each start."

The plan for Miss Isao Jqm is to hopefully run her in top events like Miss Princess, the Abigail Kawananakoa and Grade 1 Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap.

"We entered her in the Grade 1 Charger Bar Handicap, but she was number 11 so she just missed getting in. We’re glad that they had this undercard race for her. It’ll help build her heart and we’ll be entering her against the big girls."

Steve Burns’ royally bred Favorite Cartel mare Temple Court earned $4,500 for finishing second.

Double Bar S Ranch LLc’s Budderhomesngarden by First Down Dash picked up a $2,500 prize for running third.

West Texas Prize, Forever Dynasty, Seperate Heart, R Ladys Dynasty, and Famous Cartel Jessy completed the field.

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

For more information, please get in touch with larace@losalamitos.com. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @losalracing or visit us online at www.losalamitos.com.