Tipton’s Just Call Me Carter answers to futurity winner
Joel Tipton drove from Biloxi, Miss., to watch his new colt run in Saturday night’s $540,000 Sam Houston Futurity.
It was worth the trip to Sam Houston Race Park.
After a troubled start, Tipton’s Just Call Me Carter flashed to the lead late to take home first prize of $216,000. The official race chart showed Just Call Me Carter in seventh place at the race’s midway point.
Jockey Francisco Calderon knew the 2-year-old had to do better.
“It seemed like we got away a half-length behind everybody,” Calderon said. “I had to shake him up. He responded, and we got there in time.”
Former trainer Duane Hartsell touted Tipton on the colt in January. Hartsell, a horse consultant for Tipton, described the colt as “one you should buy.” Tipton agreed and bought the son of Carters Cartel the next day.
Tipton credited Hartsell, Calderon and trainer Angel Sanchez with the colt’s success.
“I didn’t do anything other than buy the horse,” he said. “Everybody else did the work. I stood there and watched the race.”
El Carretonero also watched. The 2-year-old gelding appeared headed for a win until Tipton’s horse nipped him by a neck. That produced a second prize of $86,400.
TLC Dale’s clean start gained an early lead in the $191,000 Sam Houston Derby, and the 3-year-old colt held it to the wire.
The victory gave owner Rogelio Garza Guajardo the $76,400 winner’s share.
Five previous starts had earned TLC Dale $16,500.
TLC Dale needed to get away quickly. Real Solid Oak almost matched the winner’s early burst. The runner-up raced at the winner’s shoulder for most of the 330 yards. At the finish, Real Solid Oak was a quarter-length behind.
Gyr Jammer finished briskly but was third.
Tac My Time recovered from a slow start to win a $50,000 consolation race for 2-year-olds that failed to qualify for the futurity.
JMF Dashing and Sochi Special got the jump early on Tac My Time. Off at 12-1 odds, the winner overtook both to snatch the $15,000 winner’s share. Sochi Special held on for second place. Jess A TR rushed up to gain third. Hal Lundgren is a freelance writer.