Danevang horse wins major purse
By CHRIS BARBEE cbarbee@leader-news.com

Contributed Photo A Fine Finish Atop Devons Secret, jockey Ray Mayo celebrates winning the Lassi Futurity with Michael Gonzales, the horse's owner. Devons Secret is registered in Danevang.

Devons Secret, a 2-year-old American Quarter Horse filly owned by Michael Gonzales and the Flying G Ranch of Danevang, won the Lassie Futurity at Delta Downs Saturday. The race had a $283,500 purse, and of that, Devons Secret netted her owner more than $190,000.

"I was as happy as a lark," said Gonzales, who just got back into the horse racing business after a 15-year absence.

He said the late Toni Bode of El Campo was the reason he left the sport. "Toni beat me three straight races and I decided to get out," he laughed Monday morning.

He just got back into the sport six months ago when he bought Devons Secret, a horse foaled Feb. 2, 2006 in Louisiana.

Gonzales and his family and friends were at the winner's circle with trainer Roy Roberts when jockey Ray Mayo rode Devons Secret to the circle. A video on the Delta Downs Web site showed Gonzales' excitement over the win.

Devons Secret, running in the outside lane 10, got off to a slow start, but finished strong, pulling even with second place winner Good Game Meg and third place winner BJs Cut N Natural about 50 yards away from the finish line of the 330- yard race, and beating Good Game Meg by a neck.

Devons Secret, which Gonzales said is now worth about $500,000 after Saturday's win, posted a time of 16.813 seconds, while Good Game Meg finished in 16.857 seconds and BJs Cut N Natural was third in 16.907 seconds. The Vinton, La. track record for the 330-yard race for 2-year-old fillies was set May 5, 2007 by First Dashin Bye with a time of 16.524-seconds.

Gonzales said the trainer and jockey each receive 10 percent of the winnings. He said it costs about $2,500 per month "just to have a horse," which includes training and boarding. He said it does not include medical care. "Those horses have dentists, chiropractors ... all that kind of stuff," Gonzales, owner of FAB Industries in Houston, said.