Trainer John Cooper announced onTuesday afternoon that Cartel Jess Rockin will not race in the Los AlamitosOaks and will be retired after having successful surgery to repair a legfracture. Cooper reported that the 2019 AQHA champion filly is doing great andwill be heading to Firth Ranch this weekend to begin her rehabilitation.

            Ownedby the late Ron Hartley and his wife, Jeryl, Cartel Jess Rockin won the 2019Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. Ridden by Juan Pablo Leon, Cartel JessRockin won the Two Million by ¾ lengths at odds of 20-1. She also qualified tothe Los Alamitos Winter Derby and Los Alamitos Oaks in 2020 and competed inlast year’s Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity and Governor’s Cup Futurity.Bred by Reed Land & Cattle/Levings Racing, the daughter of Favorite Cartelout the Feature Mr Jess mare Feature Jess Rockin won four of 12 starts andearned close to $850,000 in her racing career. The Hartleys purchased her for$18,000 at the 2018 Heritage Place Sale.

            “Shewas a dandy on the racetrack,” John Cooper said. “She wanted to everythingright and she often did. She’ll be a great dam. She had a fracture and neededto have pin inserted. She’ll be going home this weekend to start the next phaseof her life. I’ll miss her but look forward to seeing her babies for years tocome.”

            CartelJess Rockin was also named the PCQHRA champion2-year-old filly last year.