TEXAS TERROR TAKES LEG OF LEVY MEMORIAL IN 1:51
Texas Terror, sold after finishing fourth at his lone NZ 2YO start for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones at Winton six years ago, was the fastest elimination winner of the Geore Morton Levy Memorial Series at Yonkers Raceway, New York, on Sunday (NZ time).
Now eight, the Western Terror-Alicia Maree gelding won his $US50,000 elimination heat in a lifetime best of 1:51 around the half-mile Yonkers circuit.
Texas Terror, initially developed by Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, takes out a $US50,000 Levy Memorial Heat at Yonkers on Sunday, March 21, in 1:51. (Photo courtesy of Mike Lizzi).
Texas Terror ran fourth behind former NZ Sapling Stakes winner Monaghan in a 2YO mile, won in 1:59, at Winton, before doing a solid job in Australia.
Last October, in his final Australian start, Texas Terror won in 1:51.8 at Menangle, Australia.
This was his second USA win in nine starts this year.
From small beginnings, Texas Terror has now scored 17th lifetime wins, taking his earnings past $140,000.
Texas Terror is from the same maternal family as unbeaten Overport Lodge 2YO filly Delightful Memphis, with both having as their third dam, the 1999 NZ Broodmare Excellence Award winner Deborah Dundee.
This is the same line that produced former brilliant 2 & 3YO Courage Under Fire (1:54.1), and a smart former Overport Lodge winner in Ransom Olds (p3, 1:54.9).
Another ex-Kiwi to win a leg of the Levy Memorial eliminations was former dual Australasian Breeders champion, Bit Of A Legend, who won the fifth heat in a career best winning mile of 1:52.
Another ex-Kiwi to feature in the first of the $US50,000 heats was Texican, who ran a head second to Take It Back Terry, who lasted in 1:51.2 (fifths).
By Jeff Scott