FAMOUS CARMILITA DOMINATES THE WILD WEST FUTURITY FINAL

         Moonshine Racing’s Famous Carmilita left no doubt that she was the top juvenile in the Wild West Futurity this year, as the filly by One Famous Eagle won the $101,950 restricted Grade 3 final by 1 ¼ lengths three weeks after dominating her trial when posting the fastest qualifying time on September 26.  

          Ultra-impressive in those two local wins, Famous Carmilita has simply continued building on the steady progress she’s made with each start.    

          “She’s improved every single time out since Ruidoso,” said Stan Young of Moonshine Racing. “She was fourth in her first trial at Ruidoso (on July 10), then second in her next trial (at Ruidoso on August 21) and now has won twice here with (trainer) Chris O’Dell.”

          Young trained Famous Carmilita at the beginning of her racing career in Ogden, Utah before she was sent to the barn of Bret Vickery at Ruidoso Downs.  

          “Bret put her in a flipping halter while at Ruidoso Downs and that really helped her,” Young said. “She might be one of the smartest fillies I’ve trained. She’s push button. She has the speed. I was a little nervous because it took a little time to load the 10 horse. She was a little antsy in there, but she settled sell. She’s easy to train. She’s sound. We are so lucky.”

           Trainer Chris O’Dell then picked up the reins on Famous Carmilita when she was sent here for the Wild West. Ridden by Eduardo Nicasio, the Texas-bred filly covered the distance in :17.775 while earning $42,819 for the win. A winner in two of her six career starts, the Paragon Farms LLC-bred filly figures to be in town for the next few months.

         “I haven’t talked to (the other members of Moonshine Racing), but we’re looking some more races here,” Young added. “The Los Alamitos Winter Derby trials is a possibility. We have her paid into the Los Alamitos Oaks here and also both of the Oaks races in New Mexico.”

          Moonshine Racing is made up of Young, his two sons – Robert and Wes – and Lex Fabrizio. Now retired, Young of Duchesne, Utah worked as a high school administrator for 47 years and was a high school basketball school for many years. Meanwhile, Fabrizio operates a trucking business. The Wild West has always been a special race for Moonshine Racing.

          “This is actually the third time we’ve won this race,” Young continued. “Lex won it with one of his horses (All Guns Firing) and we won the very first running of this race with Oh La Traffic.”

           The race was also special to Nicasio, as he returned to saddle after being unseated from his mount during the running of a trial to the Los Alamitos Super Derby just 24 hours earlier.   

          “I’m in a little bit in pain but this race made me feel better,” Nicasio said. “My neck and ribs are sore, but the good thing is that nothing is broken. I’ll be sore for a few days but I’m here and doing what I love. This race made me feel better.

       Renegade Racing and Spackman Racing’s Rayshas Kidd Trax finished second for trainer Monty Arrossa and jockey Jesus Rios Ayala. The Kiddy Up gelding earned $27,332 for his effort. Arrossa also saddled third place finisher Boondarbian, who earned $12,234 for owners Jerald and Lacie Davenport. Mister Bigg, Richie Rich, Zoomin For Trix, Hopefulblue, Go Out and Branch Rickie completed the field.

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