Horse racing: Joe Legacy scores upset win i..

Horse racing • He overcomes 102 degree heat to top previously unbeaten JR Czech Swing.

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

South Jordan • Joe Legacy overcame 102 degree heat and previously unbeaten JR Czech Swing on Saturday to score an upset victory in the $38,667 Ed Giles Futurity at the Salt Lake Equestrian Park.

Trained by Alvaro Torres and ridden by Jason Packer, Joe Legacy won for the second time in four career starts and earned the winner's share of $13,533 for owner Greg Torgerson.

Joe Legacy covered the 350 yards in a lightning-quick 17.341 seconds. He finished one length ahead of JR Czech Swing, who was another three-quarters of a length in front of Bvlgari B., who ended up third.

"A real good trip," Packer said. "He broke real good and kept on running, He's really a nice colt. He just needs to get away [from the starting gate]. Today, he got away and just went on with it."

Joe Legacy opened his career in April by running second in a Beehive Futurity trial. He finished a well-beaten ninth — behind JR Czech Swing — in the $51,715 finals.

Joe Legacy came back three weeks ago and won his Ed Giles trial, setting up his impressive victory in the finals.

For JR Czech Swing, the loss was the first in four starts. But second place was worth $5,800 and pushed her career earnings over $24,000.

Owned by Robert Hosier of Alamo, Nev., and Jay Bingham of Las Vegas, JR Czech Swing had an off-day, according to jockey Jesus Canales.

"She was a little [ticked] off in the gate," he said. "She was throwing her head everywhere. Then she came out and stumbled."

Racing from the No. 9 post in the 10-horse field, JR Czech Swing found herself trying to rally on the deepest part of the track. She ran well but couldn't catch Joe Legacy.

"When I got her rolling she was right there, but she couldn't finish," Canales said. "That other horse just finished better. But we'll get 'em next time."

Asked if the oppressive heat might have bothered JR Czech Swing, Canales said, "I don't know. Maybe. Something was making her awfully mad."

luhm@sltrib.com —

Highlights

O Joe Legacy wins the $38,667 Ed Giles Futurity at the Salt Lake Equestrian Park.

• Previously unbeaten JR Czech Swing finishes second, one length behind the winner.

Horse racing: Joe Legacy scores upset win in Ed Giles Futurity