BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Joe D. Casey’s Florida-bred Hola Joey shook off challenger Zero Sugar at the top the stretch to win going away in the $50,000 Ed Skinner overnight stakes at Prairie Meadows Sunday. Ridden to victory by Alex Birzer, Hola Joey bested two other 3-year-olds and older in the six-furlong test, again showing his fondness for Prairie Meadows where he has won five of six races, including last year’s $50,000 Golden Circle Stakes, with one second.

In addition to the $31,667 first-place check, Hola Joey earned a $4,000 Export Incentive paid directly to breeder Ocala Stud by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

Hola Joey broke best from between horses before odds-on favorite Zero Sugar put a head in front with Strike Ridge a length-and-a-half behind them in third.  Zero Stike and Hola Joey clicked off a :22.26 quarter mile before racing into the turn, where Hola Joey took a short lead and Strike Ridge made his move while three wide. All three were heads apart at the top of the stretch before Hola Joey kicked clear to win by two-and-a-half lengths in 1:08.41 on the fast track. Zero Sugar finished six-and-a-half lengths ahead of Strike Ridge.

Hola Joey paid $7.20 to win.

 

Trained by Gene Jacquot, Hola Joey has now won half of his four starts this year including a length victory in a $125,000 allowance race going six furlongs at Oaklawn Park on March 28. Last out he finished eighth of nine in the $200,000 Lake Hamilton Stakes won by Gold Sweep at Oaklawn on May 1. He improved his career record to eight wins in 14 races with two seconds and a third with earnings of $387,379.

Casey purchased the son of Ocala Stud’s Adios Charlie for $3,000 at the 2024 Ocala Breeders’ Sales June Sale where he was consigned by breeder Ocala Stud. He is out of the unraced Malibu Moon mare Engaged, who has three winners from four starters and five foals. Hola Joey is her only stakes winner.

Return to the June 16 issue of Wire to Wire