Sandy Sangria a true family affair

Jockey Luis Quinonez, who has won his share of major stakes races with horses like Alternation, Gold Medal Dancer, and Suddenbreakingnews, will be riding in one of the most important races of his career Friday night at Remington Park.

Quinonez has the mount on Sandy Sangria in the $30,000 Oklahoma Stallion Fillies. His wife, Gedda, co-bred and owns Sandy Sangria. The filly is trained by his son Nathaniel.

“It’s a lot of pressure to ride for family,” Luis Quinonez said. “It’s tough!”

Sandy Sangria is part of a five-horse field for the Oklahoma Stallion Fillies, which shares a card with the $30,000 Oklahoma Stallion. Both races are for 3-year-olds by eligible stallions, and both will be run over seven furlongs.

Sandy Sangria will be moving back to dirt, site of both of her wins. She also will be racing beyond six furlongs for the first time Friday.

“I’ve worked her a few times and I like how she did it – liked how she galloped out,” Luis Quinonez said. “I don’t think the seven-eighths will be a problem. I think she’ll be okay with the seven-eighths.”

Quinonez also believes the move back to dirt suits Sandy Sangria.

“It was her first time on the grass last out and she wasn’t liking the turf,” he said of a seventh-place finish in an allowance. “She was kind of confused.”

Sandy Sangria is a daughter of Euroears and the mare Kiss Me Chocolate and represents the second generation of the small breeding operation of the Quinonez family. Luis Quinonez bred Kiss Me Chocolate in partnership with his late agent Gerry DiLaura, and was aboard the filly, who raced for trainer Joe Petalino, for seven of her eight wins. DiLaura owned Kiss Me Chocolate’s dam, Kikika.

“Gerry and I started with Kikika and when he passed away I inherited her,” said Quinonez. “It’s been good for the family.”

Gedda Quinonez bred Sandy Sangria with Petalino and also is the co-breeder of a 2-year-old out of Kiss Me Chocolate. The filly, by Caleb’s Posse, is named Hunny Hush and she will debut soon at Remington, said Luis Quinonez.

Sandy Sangria will break from the rail and could start as second or third choice behind probable odds-on favorite She’s Shiney, a three-time stakes winner who defeated older rivals last out in the $45,000 Muscogee Creek Nation at Fair Meadows. For her 7 1/4-length win in the sprint she earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 86, which is the best career number in the Oklahoma Stallion Fillies.

The seven-horse Oklahoma Stallion is led by D Toz, the winner of last year’s $75,000 Don C. McNeill at Remington. Lane Luzzi has the mount for trainer Danny Pish.