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Email Story to a Friend July 5, 2006 EZ Speedy Leader (2) prepares to cross the finish line ahead of Slogan (1a) and My Fashion Cop (5). (Mail Tribune / Jim Craven) Firecracker EZ for Speedy By FRANK SILOW Mail Tribune GRANTS PASS — Jockey Jaime Martinez dropped his whip coming out of the gate in the Firecracker Futurity at Grants Pass Downs Tuesday. "Oh my god" was Martinez's first thought when the stick slipped as he was positioning it in his hand during the start of the race. Fortunately for him, EZ Speedy Leader, the fastest qualifier for the race, didn't make any mistakes in the 16th running of the rich Fourth of July race at GP Downs. Martinez kept his cool and guided EZ Speedy Leader to a half-a-length victory over a hard-charging Slogan in the $39,000 futurity for 2-year-old quarter horses. "(EZ Speedy Leader) was perfect in the gate and broke sharp and hard," said Martinez. "I was a little worried that I didn't have my stick." Advertisement EZ Speedy Leader veered a little to the outside from the No. 4 post position after breaking from the gate, then sped down the center of the track without any interference to post a winning time of 17.90 seconds. "He (EZ Speedy Leader) went by me so fast, he took my lane," said jockey Joe Crispin, who was one spot to the outside aboard Hot Properties. "Anything that goes by that fast, it's his road." The unbeaten brown gelding added the Firecracker to an earlier victory this spring in the Portland Meadows Futurity. Martinez has been in the saddle for all four of the horse's wins. "I knew the horse, and I felt comfortable," said the 27-year-old Martinez. "I was in the front the whole way. I used my hand to hit him on the shoulder." For jockey Nikeela Black, it was her first time aboard Slogan. It was also Black's first ride for trainer Jim Glenn Jr., who had four horses in the finals. "It took (Slogan) about 50 yards to get her feet on the ground," said Black. "After that, she came flying." Glenn was denied tying Baxter Andruss for the most trainer victories in the big futurity with five. "That horse (EZ Speedy Leader) is just a runner," said Glenn. "Slogan, she's a tough little filly. She ran her eyeballs out. That other was just too good." Trainer Scott Raley registered his second victory in the Firecracker. Raley also won with Jets Flame in 2000. Raley was worried going against four Glenn-trained horses in the finals, but he maintained confidence in his colt. "I knew (EZ Speedy Leader) was right when Jaime (Martinez) and I jogged him here a few days ago," said Raley. "We knew he wasn't going to lose." Once Raley saw his horse break on top, his premonition was seconds away from reality. "I was impressed with him in the gate," said Raley. "He stood almost too still, but he broke great. I thought we were the winner by the second jump after leaving the gate." EZ Speedy Leader is the second baby from owner Gary Chumbley's mare Easy Verna, who he claimed for $2,000 at the Tillamook race meet six or seven years ago. EZ Speedy Leader is by the sire Special Leader, a former 3-year-old champion and successful stud. Chumbley got the idea for horse's name when Easy Verna and her four-day old baby got scared by the neighbor's cows in the pasture at his Battleground, Wash., farm. "When the mama got spooked, the baby was running beside her and wasn't losing any ground," recounts Chumbley, a retired accountant. "That's when I decided to call him speedy." As Raley learned the hard way, EZ Speedy Leader belies his relaxed manner. "Speedy threw me off three times this winter," said Raley. "He's such a laid back colt. But when he goes, he goes wherever he feels like." "He's still running a little green," added Raley, "but he's showing a lot of ability." Raley would get no argument from his rival Glenn. "(EZ Speedy Leader) had to make a big mistake for us to beat him," said Glenn, "and he didn't." Tuesday's Results FIRST RACE TB Clm, 51„2 F. 1, Magic Copy (D. Braden), 10.20, 4.20, 2.40; 2, Always a Player (D. Fowler-Wright), 3.20, 2.40; 3, King's Honor (J. Crispin), 2.20. Q — 2-4 $13.80; TRI — 4-2-1 $46.60. Time — 1:06.6. SECOND RACE TB Mdn, 51„2 F. 1, Back Eddy (J. Martinez), 4.20, 2.80, 2.60; 2, Bold Flotilla (J. Crispin), 3.20, 2.80; 3, PJ's Snowstorm (F. Williams), 3.00. Q — 1-7 $5.80; TRI — 7-1-3 $24.80. Time — 1:07.6. THIRD RACE TB Clm, 51„2 F. 1, Okefenokee Slew (F. Williams), 7.40, 3.20, 2.40; 2, Call Me Terminator (N. Black), 3.60, 2.40; 3, Rapid Ray (J. Crispin), 2.20. Q — 2-5 $12.00; TRI — 5-2-4 $43.60; DD — 7-5 $9.20. Time — 1:07.8. FOURTH RACE QH Fut Consol, 350 yd. 1, Eyesa Naughty Gal (J. Crispin), 6.60, 2.20, 2.10; 2, Go Go Getter (T. Neal), 2.20, 2.10; 3, Stakeholder (D. Brown), 2.20. Q — 4-5 $3.60; TRI — 4-5-1 $14.60. Time — 17.95. FIFTH RACE TB Clm, 61„2 F. 1, Sevenext (F. Williams), 10.60, 5.20, 2.40; 2, Hypersonic Boy (J. Martinez), 6.00, 2.40; 3, Sweet La Knee (J. Rivera), 2.40. Q — 1-4 $26.00; TRI — 4-1-3 $234.00. Time — 1:19.2. SIXTH RACE TB Str Alw, 51„2 F. 1, Kid Fireman (J. Crispin), 2.80, 2.20, 2.10; 2, Oregon Miracle (D. Fowler-Wright), 2.20, 2.10; 3, Forestville (J. Rivera), 2.10. Q — 1-3 $3.80; TRI — 3-1-2 $12.00. Time — 1:05.8. SEVENTH RACE QH Fut, 350 yd. 1, EZ Speedy Leader (J. Martinez), 4.80, 3.00, 2.60; 2, Slogan (N. Black), 2.80, 2.40; 3, My Fashion Cop (T. Skaggs), 3.00. Q — 1-2 $4.20; TRI — 2-1-5 $133.00. Time — 17.90. EIGHTH RACE TB Stakes, 11„16 mile. 1, Galpin Joe (J. Crispin), 4.60, 3.20, 2.20; 2, Micado (J. Martinez), 6.20, 2.60; 3, Willy Fly (N. Black), 2.20. Q — 5-6 $23.40; TRI — 5-6-4 $44.60. Time — 1:46.4. NINTH RACE TB Hdcp, 51„2 F. 1, Whistle Tester (T. Neal), 14.60, 2.20, 2.40; 2, Muevete (J. Crispin), 2.10, 2.10; 3, Charlee Chop Chop (J. Martinez), 14.60, 2.20, 2.40. Q — 1-5 $3.80; TRI — 1-5-2 $38.60. Time — 1:06.6. TENTH RACE TB Alw, 61„2 F. 1, Premiere Dancer (N. Black), 18.20, 4.80, 4.80; 2, Red Seattle (D. Fowler-Wright), 2.80, 2.60; 3, Box of Rocks (J. Martinez), 3.20. Q — 3-4 $10.00; TRI — 3-4-2 $164.20; DD — 1-3 $9.00; DD — 1A-3 $10.80. Attendance — 1,768; Handle — $72,993. Reach reporter Frank Silow at 776-4480, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s