SOPHISTICATED SNOW BREAKS THROUGH
WINNING SOUTH FLORIDA QUARTER HORSE DERBY


Sophisticated Snow wins at Hialeah Park in the South Florida Quarter Horse Derby.
Kurtis Coady / Coady PhotographyHIALEAH PARK, FL—JANUARY 31, 2010—Sophisticated Snow went from maiden to stakes winner in 21.391 seconds today at Hialeah Park with his neck-long triumph in the featured South Florida Quarter Horse Derby at 440 yards today over a fast track under cloudy skies.

Trained by Adrian Soto, Sophisticated Snow was winless from seven previous starts but had finished second behind familiar rivals Shakem Blue and Thad Matta in his two most recent attempts this meet.

The Texas-bred son of THIS SNOW IS ROYAL from the Grade I-placed mare Sophisticated Sign earned just over $60,000 for owner Zeferino Garcia with today’s win from a total purse of $143,650, including added money. Winning jockey Rodrigo Vallejo collected his second win of the day aboard Sophisticated Snow.

Racing for Dan and Jolene Urschel, Shakem Blue rushed to an early lead but could not hold on through the 440 yards. He earned $25,857 for the second place the derby effort. The colt is handled by AQHA racings 8-time champion trainer Paul Jones and was ridden by Alex Baldillez, Jr. He pushed his career earnings to nearly $53,000.

Definatly Maybe, racing for Jose Angel, was 1 ¼ lengths back in third. The gelding was saddled by Manuel Mata, ridden by Victor Olivo and earned $17,238.

Post time favorite Gallant Corona by CORONA FOR ME finished fourth.

Following a major bumping incident away from the gate that survived a steward, jockey and trainer inquiry, the order of finish was Sophisticated Snow, Shakem Blue, Definatly Maybe, Gallant Corona, Cedar Creek, Brimmerton, Thad Matta, Eyes On My Corona, Oscar Daydreamer and Mr Zee Vee Cup.

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