2009 Sorrel Tobiano Mare Judys Lineage x A Golden Jet by Raise A Jet Owner: A. Golden, R. Hill & J. Ludlam Breeder: Andrew Golden or Vel Smith Trainer: Stacy Charete-Hill Jockeys: Adalberto Candanosa, G.R. Carter, Raul Gutierrez, Berkley Packer, Stormy Smith, Juan Vazquez
t’s not surprising that Ride Me Easy became the first Claiming Champion winner. Not only did she win three claiming races during 2012, she also comes from a line of champions.
A daughter of champion sire Judys Lineage, Ride Me Easy is out of A Golden Jet, a full sister to multiple cham- pion Dashing Jet. Andrew Golden bred A Golden Jet and Ride Me Easy with Vel Smith, and he owns Ride Me Easy with Randy Hill and Jeff Ludlam, all of whom are from the Oklahoma City area.
“A Golden Jet could have been a champion too, but she got hurt,” Andrew said. “She was the fastest qualifier for the Speedhorse Futurity and won the final. Everything runs out of that mare. It’s a real smart family. They are intelligent and focused runners.” A Golden Jet’s first foal was Ride Me Hard, a graded stakes-placed full sister to Ride Me Easy.
“Ride Me Easy was not as good early on,” Andrew said. “She didn’t have it all together.”
The filly put it all together for her 3-year-old season in 2012. Her first victory came in a 350-yard maiden claiming race during the Remington Park meeting. With champion jockey G.R. Carter Jr. aboard, Ride Me Easy went off as the 2-1 favorite and scored by three-quarters of a length. Ride Me Easy finished out the season in excellent form with two consecutive wins at Will Rogers Downs. In a $15,000 claiming race over 350 yards, she broke on top and never looked back. She returned for $10,000 three weeks later at 300 yards and cut it a bit closer, winning by a neck. That brought her seasonal earnings to $18,850. For the 2013 season, Andrew says Randy will race Ride Me Easy. Given how she finished 2012, another champion- ship could certainly be up for grabs. Andrew is excited about A Golden Jet’s 2-year-old filly as well. Also by Judys Lineage, she has been named Golden Lineage.
“I think she may be the best one yet out of the mare,” he said.