ALABAMA QUARTER HORSE RACING ASSOCIATION

Ken Weeks of Mobile, Alabama, made an unbelievably modest investment of $450 when he decided to purchase Ms Big City who, at the time, was in foal to Sayin Adios. The mare was bred by the Jumonvilles of Louisiana and was owned by Circle R Racing Stables of Alabama.

Weeks, who has handled his own training for more than 25-years and who plans to run horses under his own name, effective June 30, waited for the foal to be born. (For the Grade 3, 330-yard $65,095 Alabama Futurity on May 5, he ran under trainer David Fayard).

He waited. And he waited. He had no idea of the mare�s due date. "She'd been pasture bred from February until June," explained Weeks," and I didn't know when to expect the baby.

"I work for Ranger Environmentalists, disposing of and inspecting hazardous waste. I go to work early so I can have the afternoons to work with my horses. I was checking the horses around five a.m. on Friday morning, May 25, before work and there was Big City Adios standing there. He'd finally been born.

"His mama is a small mare, about 14.2. You know how most newborns look thin and gaunt? Well, this foal was fat, slick, and thick. I went into the house and told my wife Cherryl, 'He looks like a sledge hammer.' Ever since then, we've called him Sledge."

AQHA credits Dale Rogers of Louisiana as the breeder of Big City Adios but Weeks was the owner of the mare at the time of foaling.

Sledge was so late hitting the ground that Weeks decided to take things very, very slowly. He halter broke the colt, taught him to lead, and secured the basic training groundwork. Even with the deliberate pace, he was still ready for his first work on February 17, 2007, when he finished 220-yards in :12.35.

"I liked the colt from the first time I started working with him," said Weeks, "but I didn't want to get too high on him. I've had a lot of heartbreaking disappointments in this business, so I try to make myself hope for the best while expecting the worst.

"I wanted Sledge especially for the Alabama Futurity. Being honest, I think winning it means more to me than the All American would. I just had a lot of emotion invested in it, even though it wasn't a big purse."

Sledge lined up for the Alabama trials on April 21. It was his first official start, and he finished second for the sixth fastest qualifying time of :17.791. He was ridden by Carlos Garcia, who directed him toward the outside post for the finals.

Sledge lined up for the Alabama trials on April 21. It was his first official start, and he finished second for the sixth fastest qualifying time of :17.791. He was ridden by Carlos Garcia, who directed him toward the outside post for the finals.

Sledge was charted sixth at the start but lost no time leaping toward the front. He established a lead, drawing away to 2 1/4-lengths at the wire in :16.788 for a 96 speed index and $29,293. He's earned more than $30,000 with a 1-1-0 record from two.

"He'll run in the Alabama Juvenile and, after that, I don't know. I may just give him the rest of the year off," observed Weeks. "These horses aren't machines and they shouldn't be abused.

"Sledge isn't a flashy horse, just a plain sorrel, but he has a tremendous personality. He's in the first stall and he wants people to go over and see him. He sticks out his tongue, hoping they'll put their hands in his mouth. He's extremely important to me."

Ms Big City is a 1998 model out of Ms Hill City by Pie In The Sky. She's produced three foals with all three to race. Big City Adios (Sledge) is her most recent offspring, her first stakes winner, and second ROM.

Finishing second in the Alabama Futurity was Laurel Leaves (Stoli-Effortlessly Elegant) owned by Robert Higdon, trained by Ned Goutierrez, ridden by R.J. Lejeune. In third was Go King Purna (Royal Quick Rocket-Annapurna) owned by C.W. Sherer, trained by William McIntosh, ridden by Randy Edison.

The remaining order was See N Believe (moved from 4th to 10th, Royal Quick Rocket-Chasing Rain), Jds Runaway Cash (Sammies Runaway-De Cash Is Late), Burnin Time (Royal Quick Rocket-Watch My Baby), Long Legs Selina (Royal Quick Rocket-Sister Long Legs), Ocrs Easy Speed (Cash In On Speedy-Speeding Easy), Trick Of The South (Boone Land-Mississippi Filly), Pops Crimson Lady (Whambam-Tuff Time Lace).

Alabama Derby, Restricted Grade 3
Tysup Goes Gate-To-Wire

The winner's share of the Grade 3, 400-yard $29,565 Alabama Derby was $13,304 and, the minute the gates opened, there was little doubt as to who would walk away with the check.

Tysup, a three-year-old gray colt by Quick To Flare Up and out of A Timetodash by Dashing Encounter, stepped away smartly from the one-hole under the guidance of Jerry Yoakum. As things turned out, one was the colt's lucky number. He was in the one-post, was in the number one position at the start, and was still holding the one-spot at the wire with 3/4-length to spare in :20.113 for an 89 speed index.

Tysup is bred/owned by Gary Byrd of Alabama and is trained by Ray Robbins. There were no trials for the Derby, making a futurity trial at Prairie Meadows on August 24, 2006, his last start.

Robbins apparently kept the colt, who won last year's Alabama Futurity, in good shape during his down time since he never faltered in the finals. His career earnings tally is $52,525 with a 3-1-0 record from six. He had only five starts at two.

Tysup's dam, the 1994 A Timetodash, is out of Team Time by The Winning Team. Bred by Claude Boutte Jr. of Louisiana, she's owned by Byrd. The mare has produced five foals with four to race, including one stakes winner (Tysum), one multiple stakes finalist (Jess Cashingin), and one stakes finalist (Garys Dash Dream).

Finishing second in the Alabama Derby was Roll Easy Dash (Such Easy Cash-Roll On McDuck) owned/trained by Thomas Malone, ridden by Oscar Baldillez. In third was Cs Zoomer (Shazoom-Watch My Baby) owned by CS Racing Stable LLC, trained by Ray Robbins, ridden by Gilbert Ortiz.

The remaining order was Okie Shawnee (Okey Dokey Dale-Disco Bugs Bally), Eye Ballin (Mr Eye Opener-Special Rockette), Blakes Runaway (Sammies Runaway-Jewels Express), Royal Quick Legs (Royal Quick Rocket-Sister Long Legs), For You Kid (Affirmed Royalty-Eloquent Effort), Oh Victoria Lynn (Valid Victorious-Oh Sudden Six), Chitas Royal Rocket (Royal Quick Rocket-Chitas Ladybug).

All pictures and stories are courtesy of Speedhorse Magazine.

Thanks to Diane Ciarloni from Speedhorse, for the stories.

Photos by Jessica Hicks, Coady Photography