The first award cooler of Desert Circuit 2 went home with Jamie Sailor on Wednesday, January 15, at the Desert International Horse Park. Sailor piloted Atlantic DVZ (Aktion Pur Z x Clinton) to victory in the $10,000 1.35m Welcome Speed, marking a strong start to her time in Thermal, CA.
"It’s a great start to the week,” said Sailor. “I just arrived here Week 2; I’m super excited to be here. The footing is always great. It always looks beautiful here. The sun is shining. I cannot complain at all! Winning the first class of the morning is a great way to get my day started and pumped up. So, I’m really happy about that!”
On their way to the win, Sailor and Atlantic DVZ had to top a field of 32 other entries and best the previously leading time of 63.164 seconds set by Guy Thomas and WT Leapalong. As the 28th entry in the Grand Prix Arena, Sailor did just that, shaving off just enough time to take the victory in 63.004 seconds.
Thomas and WT Leapalong, owned by Willow Tree Farm, Inc., held on to second place, and third place with a time of 63.251 seconds went to Jamie Taylor and For President, owned by Madison Wiener.
“When I landed off the third jump, I really risked it into the double; I just went for it,” explained Sailor, who has been partnered with the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, owned by Teton Farms LLC, for roughly two years. “I did the nine [strides]. I know my other horse did a 10, and I’ve seen 11, so the nine was definitely a little risky. He was super. Then, I did seven [strides] on the end, which I hadn’t seen yet. He was just in such a huge canter. I was planning eight, but I went forward two steps, and I was like, ‘I see seven. Let’s go for it, buddy!’ He was right there with me the whole time. I’m super proud of him.”
Sailor continued, “I think he was wanting to win today because he was very excited in the warm-up ring, and I love that. Sometimes in the night classes he gets like that as well. Usually, in the morning ones, he’s a little more chill, but I was like, ‘Alright, he wants to win.’ So, I didn’t want to hold him back!”
"It’s a great start to the week,” said Sailor. “I just arrived here Week 2; I’m super excited to be here. The footing is always great. It always looks beautiful here. The sun is shining. I cannot complain at all! Winning the first class of the morning is a great way to get my day started and pumped up. So, I’m really happy about that!”
On their way to the win, Sailor and Atlantic DVZ had to top a field of 32 other entries and best the previously leading time of 63.164 seconds set by Guy Thomas and WT Leapalong. As the 28th entry in the Grand Prix Arena, Sailor did just that, shaving off just enough time to take the victory in 63.004 seconds.
Thomas and WT Leapalong, owned by Willow Tree Farm, Inc., held on to second place, and third place with a time of 63.251 seconds went to Jamie Taylor and For President, owned by Madison Wiener.
“When I landed off the third jump, I really risked it into the double; I just went for it,” explained Sailor, who has been partnered with the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, owned by Teton Farms LLC, for roughly two years. “I did the nine [strides]. I know my other horse did a 10, and I’ve seen 11, so the nine was definitely a little risky. He was super. Then, I did seven [strides] on the end, which I hadn’t seen yet. He was just in such a huge canter. I was planning eight, but I went forward two steps, and I was like, ‘I see seven. Let’s go for it, buddy!’ He was right there with me the whole time. I’m super proud of him.”
Sailor continued, “I think he was wanting to win today because he was very excited in the warm-up ring, and I love that. Sometimes in the night classes he gets like that as well. Usually, in the morning ones, he’s a little more chill, but I was like, ‘Alright, he wants to win.’ So, I didn’t want to hold him back!”