(Saturday, October 18, 2003) - I Make Em Shake finished with an explosive late kick to narrowly defeat the filly Ima Perry Girl by a nose in Saturday’s Grade 1, $393,120 Dash For Cash Futurity in fron of 5,986 fans at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

The 2-year-old gelding by Royal Shake Em out of the Jet Toro mare April Toro ran 400 yards on a fast track in :19.64. Alvin “Bubba” Brossette, who tallied a track record-equaling five winners on the night (a mark shared by Roy Baldillez), rode I Make Em Shake for trainer Philips Calais Jr. and owner Betty Jo Spence of Orange, Texas.

I Make Em Shake paid $22.20 to win.

“This is the fourth generation that I’ve been connected with of this particular horse,” Spence said. “If it hadn’t been for a mare back in 1982 whose name was Flashy Julie there wouldn’t have been an I Make Em Shake. This is absolutely a dream come true.”

I Make Em Shake, who broke from post No. 7 in the field of nine 2-year-olds, was kicked in the gate by a thrashing SS Bug N Bubba, who was just to his outside, just prior to the start. At the break, the Texas-bred got away in fifth then steadily closed ground in the final 100 yards to prevail.

“It was a helluva race all the way and, actually, when the race was over I wasn’t sure that she (Ima Perry Girl) hadn’t beat me,” Brossette said. “It was real close. I knew the horse would stretch and I was just hoping for the nod. It was a horserace all the way. I had to jump on her early. We hooked up, it was a battle head and head, and it was just a nod. Thank god we got it.”

I Make Em Shake, winner of the TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity in August at Sam Houston Race Park, earned $157,248 in Saturday’s triumph. It was his fourth victory in eight starts, and improved his earnings to $236,938.

“He was off right at two months from the Sires’ Cup Futurity in Houston, and he kind of needed that [trial] race [two weeks ago] to tune him back up. I knew if we could get in the finals we’d be tough.”

Runner-up Ima Perry Girl finished a neck in front of third-place finisher Jess Rapid. Sixes Royal, the even-money wagering choice, was fourth. Counting Sheep, Executive Menace, Will To Win 123, Overlook Easy and SS Bug N Bubba completed the order of finish.

Hadtobenuts, the fastest qualifier to the race, was scratched.

“[Friday] morning he developed some stomach pain,” said Hadtobenuts trainer Heath Taylor.”It continued to be more painful throughout the day. He’s at the Las Colinas Veterinary Clinic. I think the horse is in at least stable condition, but the next twenty-four hours is critical. We’re hoping everything turns out for the best. We’re very, very disappointed. He trained beautifully for us up to this race, as recently as [Friday] morning.”

Two races before the featured race, Brossette rode JLS Speed Horse Ranch Inc.’s JLS Streak of Snow to victory in the $43,680 Dash For Cash Juvenile Stakes. Trained by John Darrell Soileau, the This Snow Is Royal filly covered 400 yards in :19.82 and paid $17.60 to win.