Ridden for the first time by reigning AQHA champion jockey Jacky Martin, Illusioneiress parlayed a quick
start into an easy 1 3/4-length victory in Sunday's $254,374 West Texas Futurity (G1) at Sunland Park.
One of two finalists qualified by Juan Vazquez, Illusioneiress recorded the third-fastest qualifying time when she won her
March 23 trial heat by a nose. When Vazquez elected to ride second-fastest qualifier and 2-1 favorite First Thoughts in the
final, the filly's owners -- Hugo Lee and Miguel Caro -- contacted Martin's agent, Donnie Stewart.
"The owners called Donnie a week or so ago, after Juan told them he was going to ride the other horse," said Martin. "This
was the first time I'd ever been on her back. I couldn't have even told you what color she was before I saw her in the
paddock. This was the first time I'd laid eyes on her."
Breaking from post 7 in the nine-horse field -- fourth-fastest qualifier Dunit Runnin was a late scratch -- Illusioneiress
jumped out to a quick lead and never trailed at any point in the 300-yard sprint. Saddled by Jose R. Gonzalez, the filly posted
her third consecutive win and earned $106,242 to push her career earnings to $113,802.
"She really wasn't standing in the gates as good as you'd want," said Martin. "But three or four jumps from the gate, I
couldn't believe she was as far in front as she was. She had 'em daylighted about 50 yards from the gate. I just had to hit
her two or three times, and that was it. She just kept getting farther in front, and there was nothing really close to us."
Acquired by Lee and Caro for $7,200 at last year's Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Illusioneiress is the 31st stakes winner
from six crops sired by champion Royal Quick Dash. Bred in Texas by Joe Kirk Fulton, she is the fourth starter from the
unraced Special Effort mare, Effortless Illusion. Her second dam, Tiny Illusion, won one of the 1983 All American Futurity
consolations, ran second in the Firecracker Futurity (G1) at Delta Downs and earned $124,848.
Aided by a 30-mph tail wind, Illusioneiress stopped the timer in :15.028 to record a lifetime-best 109 speed index. Fastest
qualifier Cheering Cash, sent to post at generous odds of 9-1, ran second to complete a $3260 ($2) quinella. First
Thoughts ran third, and was followed by Thats Proud Royalty, Hy Diamond Dasher, Six Guns A Runnin, Fortune Flyer, My
Sparkling Stone and Kiptys First Dash. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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