MARGARITO FARIAS

      Margarito Farias knows a good thing when he sees one. That's what has made him the owner of a successful car dealership in Downey, California as well as one of the Quarter Horse racing's savviest owners.
     Margarito has gained a great reputation thanks to some outstanding claims. Over the years the owner has plucked horses like Faster Flyin Nanny and Strike Down from claiming races only to see them win at higher levels. Recent successes include the filly Miss Curley Lite, who went on a six-race winning streak in 2001, and He Doll. The latter won the Catalina and Gold Rush derbies after being claimed for only $8,000 last fall. It was the biggest win ever for Margarito and his son, Jorge Farias.
    The thing that impresses me the most about horses is to see them face strong fields, Margarito said. If a horse shows heart while facing tough horses, I see that as a horse that could prove to be a good investment.
     Margarito's horses are off to a fast start in 2005, as his horses have won five races from their first 27 starts. That figure matched the barn's entire win total of 2004, when his horses won just five times from 44 trips to the starting gate. The owner enjoyed his best year in 2002 when winning 27 races from 112 starts. His earnings of $241,401 that year ranked him in the top 10 nationally as an owner.
     Margarito's barn features a solid group of claimers this year, headed by NM Runaway Bride, Nigel Monji, and Dashing Gray Beduino. His best horse right now might be Snowy Memory, who is just a step away from becoming an allowance type horse. Margarito claimed Snowy Memory for just $8,000 in February of 2005. Can he become the owner's next great find?