Danjer, under jockey Cody Smith, scores his fourth Grade 1 win this year in Saturday's $200,000 Refrigerator Invitational Championship (G1) at Lone Star Park.

© Coady Photography

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—NOVEMBER 27, 2021—Danjer earned his fourth Grade 1 stakes win of 2021 in the $200,000 Refrigerator Invitational Championship (G1) at Lone Star on Saturday night.

Danjer ($3.00) and his regular rider, Cody Smith, stopped the clock in :21.184 in the 440-yard race and earned a 105 speed index. The sloppy track proved to be no issue for the champion, who is six for six lifetime over a wet track.

Dean Frey trains, bred, and co-owns the 5-year-old gelding with Downtime Enterprises LLC and Billy Smith.

Frey has been working with Danjer since he was a weanling. “Anything I presented him with, he was willing to do, usually at first asking,” he noted of Danjer’s development.

The winning connections of Danjer accept the Refrigerator Invitational stakes trophy at Lone Star Park Saturday night.
© Dustin Orona Photography

The gelding’s willingness has continued into his racing career, as he finds a way to win even if he has to overcome a bad break. “He has no quit in him,” said Frey. “He’s a fighter.”

The FDD Dynasty gelding capped off a remarkable year with five graded stakes wins and two second place finishes in Grade 1 races. He is 15 for 26 lifetime with earnings of $1,503,885.

This year, Danjer won the Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) in Albuquerque for the second time, preceded by the All American Gold Cup (G1) at Ruidoso and graded stakes wins at Canterbury and Remington.

Danjer was bred in Oklahoma out of the graded stakes winning mare Shez Jess Toxic, by Take Off Jess.

Multiple graded stakes winner Mi Amor Secreto finished second as the second betting choice. The 6-year-old gelding broke sharply but could not fend off Danjer as they neared the wire.

Mi Amor Secreto was ridden by Juan Polido for trainer Santos Carrizales, Jr. and owner Carol Ann Mays. He was bred in Texas by Kelly Heltzle, by The Louisiana Cartel and out of Streakin in Secret, by Feature Mr Jess.

Mi Amor Secreto has earned $771,450 in 30 lifetime starts, including five wins and 13 second-place finishes, several of which were also behind Danjer. He won the Bank of America Remington Park Challenge Championship (G2) in 2020 as well as the Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship (G1) in 2019. In addition, he has finished second in seven Grade 1 stakes, including the 2019 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos.

Jess My Hocks, one of only two horses to defeat Danjer this year, finished third under jockey Agustin Silva. Michelle Hurdle trains for owners and breeders Tom and Kathleen McNally.

The 4-year-old gelding defeated Danjer in the Leo Stakes (G1) at Remington Park this year, one of his eight career victories. He has earned $302,166 in 16 starts. As a 3-year-old, he won the Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) at Albuquerque and was fourth in the Heritage Place Derby (G2).

Jess My Hocks was bred in Oklahoma, by Kiss My Hocks and out of Jess Charlena, by Take Off Jess.

Completing the field were Perrys Double Down, No Mires a La Luna, Midday News, Eagles Fly Higher, Don Chuy C, Colby James, The Grand Legend, Steal the Candy and Apocalyptical Jess.