Tag Archives: AQHA

*Featured/Spotlights, Western/Reining

FEI Cooperation Agreement with NRHA and AQHA to Foster Growth of Reining

Leave a comment

Massimiliano Ruggeri (ITA) on Spat Split And White, silver medallists at the FEI European Reining Championships 2013 in Augsburg (GER). (Photo: FEI/Action Images/Henry Browne)

Lausanne (SUI), 20 March 2014 – The FEI has signed a cooperation agreement with the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), formalising the FEI’s relationship with the NRHA and AQHA that has been in place since Reining became an FEI discipline in 2002.

The agreement covers areas of common interest including horse welfare, FEI Rules and Regulations, FEI Clean Sport, stewarding, education and FEI recognition.

Under the agreement, the FEI will have sole jurisdiction over Reining competitions for horses aged seven years and over, and the NRHA and AQHA will manage all competitions for horses of six years and under.

An exception has been made for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy, where six-year-old horses will be eligible to compete.

“The FEI, NRHA and AQHA, while separate and distinct organisations, have recognised as the major stakeholders in the Reining world that together they can foster the growth of our sport globally, and this agreement is a major milestone in the expansion of Reining,” said Bob Thompson, FEI Reining Committee Chairman, who played a crucial role in formalising this agreement.

“Since Reining became an FEI discipline in 2002, we have worked closely with the NRHA and AQHA to grow the sport worldwide, and the expansion has been huge, with 115 Reining events last year compared to just five in 2002,” said Bettina de Rham, FEI Director Reining, Driving & Vaulting.

“FEI Reining will again be under the global spotlight this summer at the world’s biggest equestrian event, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014, in the heart of Normandy. Just one month before, the FEI European Reining Championships for Young Riders and Juniors will take place in Switzerland at the beginning of July. Our busy Reining event calendar is a true reflection of just how popular Reining has become amongst athletes of all ages, and we’re looking forward to continuing our work with the NRHA and AQHA to foster further growth of Reining worldwide.”

The NRHA, based in Oklahoma City (USA), was formed in 1966 and brings together over 19,000 members, including 1,400 youngsters.

The AQHA, located in Amarillo, Texas (USA), was created in 1940 and is the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organisation. It first recognised Reining as a sport in 1949.

“The NRHA is very excited to be moving forward with its relationship with the FEI, and to growing the sport of Reining worldwide,” said Beth Himes, NRHA President.

Don Treadway, Executive Vice President of the AQHA, added: “Since Reining became an FEI discipline in 2002, we have seen the sport introduced to several new countries, and we look forward to working closely together with the FEI to advance the worldwide growth of Reining well into the future.”

National Reining Horse Association (NRHA): http://nrha1.com
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA): http://aqha.com

FEI Media contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Competitions, Racing

Mardi Gras Doubleheader at Louisiana Downs

Leave a comment

American Quarter Horse Association, March 13, 2014 – The 2014 futurity season starts Saturday with fastest-qualifier Dynastys Jumpn racing in the $281,514 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2). The Louisiana Downs’ card also offers Brock Broussard’s Heza Fast Rogue racing for his third-straight win in the $84,686 Mardi Gras Derby (RG2).

Each of the stakes is for Louisiana-breds.

Luis Miguel Albores-Gleason’s Dynastys Jumpn (Jumpn-Dynasty by Check Him Out) romped in the fourth of 15 trials to the Mardi Gras Futurity. The Wendy Garcia-trained filly humbled her rivals when she quickly sprinted to a daylight lead and then rolled to a 2-length win with the top time of :15.642 for the 300 yards.

The Noe Sanchez-owned and -trained Party With Braxton (Swingin Jess-Holy Effort by Special Effort) came through with the second-fastest time when he scored a 14-1 upset in :15.760. He won by one-half length over fourth-fastest qualifier Zoies Treeshaker (Oak Tree Special-Most Women Will by Dashin Bye).

James Magnon’s homebred Jess For Ron (Swingin Jess-Presumptuous (TB) by Hennessy) raced to an even larger upset, at 20-1, when he won his trial with the third-fastest time of :15.798. The Justin Dehart-trained gelding drew away for the length win.

In the Mardi Gras Derby at 400 yards, Brock Broussard’s Heza Fast Rogue (Heza Fast Dash-Miss Jess Rogue by Mr Jess Perry) kept his hot streak alive in the trial with his second win from as many starts during the Louisiana Downs season. He won the $35,000 Billy Montgomery Stakes (R) by three-quarters of a length as the 7-10 choice and returned to win his Mardi Gras Derby trial as the even-money choice by three-parts of a length with the top time of :20.008 from two trials.

Heza Fast Rogue won four of 10 starts as a juvenile with his best stakes performance a close third-place finish as the 3-2 choice in the $286,560 LQHBA Sale Futurity (RG1) for trainer Kevin Broussard.

Two The Max Investments LLC’s homebred Dashn To The Back (Fast Prize Dash-Backs To The Wall by Royal Quick Dash) was second behind Heza Fast Rogue in their trial with the second-fastest qualifying time of :20.140. The Vann Haywood-trained filly was second by a head in the $40,000 LQHBA Invitational (R) back in November.

The consistent Dashn To The Back has finished on the board in each of her six previous starts and has not been beaten by more than three quarters of a length in her five previous starts.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Racing, Racing Sources

Charal Kid Is AQHA Supreme Racehorse

Leave a comment

American Quarter Horse Association, February 27, 2014 – The newest member of the elite group of AQHA Supreme Racehorses earned his award the hard way.

Charal Kid becomes the 33rd horse to earn the award since it was created in 2002. A homebred racing for Juan Jose Cordoba’s Malinche Cattle Co. of San Antonio, the 8-year-old gelding by Streakin La Jolla is the 104th horse to earn the award in total.

Charal Kid made 50 starts from his maiden start in February 2009 through his most recent in September 2013. In those, he won 17 races, finished second 14 times and was third four times for earnings of $502,660. His 13 stakes wins include the 2009 Dash For Cash Derby (G1) and 2012 Refrigerator Handicap (G1).

The Supreme Racehorse award recognizes a racing American Quarter Horse who during his or her career earns $500,000 or more, wins two or more open Grade 1 stakes races and at least 10 races.

Charal Kid edged above the earnings mark in his most recent start, a third-place finish in the Refrigerator Handicap (G1) on September 28, 2013.

Charal Kid becomes one of the most frequently raced of the Supreme Racehorses. Only A Long Goodbye (67 starts), Sign Of Lanty (65), Griswold (64), Town Policy (64), Kool Kue Baby (64), Easy Conversation (62), Sgt Pepper Feature (62), Chingaderos (57), The Black Alliance (52), Catchmeinyourdreams (51), Flare For Toby (51), Heza Ramblin Man (51) and Rylees Boy (51) have more starts.

The sorrel gelding by Streakin La Jolla is out of the Strawfly Special mare The Special Feature.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Competitions, Racing

Powerhouses Set for Showdowns in Winter Derby, Championship

Leave a comment

American Quarter Horse Association, February 13, 2014 – Top runners fill the $196,600 Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1) and $156,250 Los Alamitos Winter Championship (G1), set to run Saturday and Sunday, respectively, at Los Alamitos.

In the Winter Derby, trainer Trey Wood brings out two powerful contenders – SS Paydirt and Viva Mi Corazon.

Richard Frandsen’s homebred SS Paydirt (Carters Cartel-Mia Ta Fame by Dash Ta Fame) is close to being undefeated. The gelding’s record shows five wins from seven starts, though his two losses came when he was disqualified from the win in the $114,656 Bitterroot Futurity (RG3) at Les Bois Park and then finished fourth at 2-1 odds in the $151,500 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) at Los Alamitos after being knocked around at the start.

In his first start for Wood, SS Paydirt dominated his Winter Derby trial by a length over fellow qualifier Ms Perry (Mr Jess Perry-Runaway Shaker by Runaway Winner) and set the fastest qualifying time of :19.476 for 400 yards.

Viva Mi Corazon (First Down Dash-Miss Sin Tacha by Mr Jess Perry) is owned by 2013 champion owners Johnny Trotter and Burnett Ranches LLC, and has found a winning home at Los Alamitos. He has four wins from five local outs, including in the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity (G2), and a second place in the $1,916,525 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1) as the 8-5 favorite.

Also preparing for the race are the stakes-placed Dynasty Of Habits, who was second to Viva Mi Corazon in the PCQHRA Futurity, and stakes runners Mr Its Country Time and Moonist.

In Sunday’s Los Alamitos Winter Championship, the 4-year-old mare Nellie Delaney faces the battle-tested 9-year-old geldings Rylees Boy and Vodka With Ice.

Those two aged veterans combined have 100 starts, 35 wins and earnings just shy of $1.9 million.

Nancy Yearsley and J. Garvan Kelly’s homebred Nellie Delaney (FDD Dynasty-Fleeting Touch by Tres Seis) will try for her fourth consecutive win in a streak that includes a dead-heat win in the Southern California Derby (G1) and the fastest-qualifying time for the Winter Championship. In the trial, she defeated Rylees Boy by a nose.

The winner of the 400-yard Winter Championship receives the first invitation to the $750,000 Champion of Champions (G1) in December.

Lorena Velazquez Rodriguez’s champion Rylees Boy (Heza Motor Scooter-Pipistrelle by Rocky Jones) won this race last year. In December, the three-time champion ran second to eventual world champion Last To Fire in the Champion of Champions.

Gerardo Prado’s Vodka With Ice (Stoli-Hips So Fine by Extra Easy) in November won the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) over former world champion Cold Cash 123, and won his Winter Championship trial by a neck over Rosa Barboza’s Grade 1-winner Remembering Spence (TR Dasher-Sables Bono by Bono Jazz).

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Associations/Breeds, Awards, Community/Charity, Racing

Special Recognition Award Winners

Leave a comment

American Quarter Horse Association, January 20, 2014 – Each year, the American Quarter Horse Association recognizes the outstanding work and efforts of worthy members of the racing American Quarter Horse industry with the AQHA Racing Council Special Recognition Award, Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award, and Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement Award. To be eligible, people must be nominated for the special recognition awards, and winners then are chosen by the AQHA Racing Committee. This is the 20th year the awards have been presented.

This year’s winners will be recognized at the AQHA Racing Champions Announcement on January 22 at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City.

JoAnn Adams
JoAnn Adams is this year’s winner of the AQHA Racing Council Special Recognition Award. The award, given to a recipient for lifetime achievements in American Quarter Horse racing, is a bit different from years past. JoAnn, a lifelong horsewoman, well-known and well-liked at tracks across the country, died in November at age 68 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

“She would be so honored and thrilled to be receiving this award,” said JoAnn’s daughter Ashley Adams Landess. “I can only imagine how happy she would be to enjoy such a celebration and how proud she would be. She loved a good party, and I know she is smiling in heaven.”

JoAnn and husband J. R. Adams raced American Quarter Horse Hall of Famer Rocket Wrangler, who in 1970 won the Rainbow and All American futurities, finished that season as the champion freshman colt and later sired 56 stakes winners and the earners of more than $9.4 million. Among Rocket Wrangler’s contributions to the breed was his son Dash For Cash, the world champion whose two-decade reign as leading sire was broken by his world champion and all-time leading sire son First Down Dash.

JoAnn and J. R. contributed to the industry in other ways, too. In 1974, they bought La Mesa Park in Raton, New Mexico, and operated the track for several years. The first licensed track in New Mexico, La Mesa Park was where 870-yard races originated for American Quarter Horses (due to a state law then prohibiting any horses except Thoroughbreds running in races of a half mile – 880 yards – or longer).

Throughout her life, JoAnn raced and bred horses, including multiple-Grade 1 winner Joanna Kate, the Rare Form mare she bought as a yearling at a Heritage Place sale and named for her granddaughter. Joanna Kate is the dam of 11 stakes winners and the earners of more than $360,000, including All American Futurity (G1) finalist I Aint Jo Chick, and Grade 1 finalist Jax Ross, who JoAnn named for her grandson.

Matt Witman
If you’ve attended any racing conference, major race or sale or checked out the stallion battery at Lazy E Ranch, you’ve probably run into Matt Witman. The AQHA director is a busy man, working hard to promote the industry in many ways. He is this year’s recipient of the Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award, which is presented to a man within the industry to recognize achievements in 2013.

The farm manager at Lazy E Ranch at Guthrie, Oklahoma, Witman is a former chairman of the AQHA Racing Council and the AQHA Racing Committee, and is currently the secretary and is also a director of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association. He has been very involved in the industry’s push against illegal medication use. He was an active participant in the medication meetings and helped raise awareness from regulators and the general public. In 2012, he spoke in the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s hearing on medication use in horse racing. In addition, Witman has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars through charity fundraisers for the Race Track Chaplaincy and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

“He is involved in so many aspects of the Quarter Horse racing world, and all at a very high level,” said his nominator. “He has made great efforts to promote Quarter Horse racing and has never dodged the difficult and thorny issues that are detrimental to this industry. He is committed to this industry in a manner in which most are not, and for that he deserves this award.”

Susan Hadley
In 2008, an 800-pound hay bale fell on horseman and leading Intermountain trainer Sherm Hadley, who had jumped underneath to save his son. Hadley pushed his son to safety but the bale crushed him, and a subsequent stroke resulted in him being paralyzed. The Hadley family is known for their ability to raise and run good horses, and even through this terrible crisis, they have managed to overcome and prosper. His wife of more than 20 years, Susan, and their sons, Jordan and Garrett, have taken over the physical aspects of the job, while Sherm continues to provide an expert eye.

Their dedication has earned them the respect of their fellow horsemen, and Susan has earned the Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement award, given to a woman within the industry for contributions to the industry made in 2013. In 2010, Jordan conditioned Dreaming Of Kisses to win the $100,000 Bitterroot Futurity (RG2). This year, Susan trained while Jordan rode; their winners included Blane Schvaneveldt Handicap winner PF Flyair and Merial Sun Downs Distaff Challenge winner Feature Miss Alibi, among others. Susan is also an active barrel racing competitor.

“No ambassador for AQHA could have done more to tell the world the great story of family and how important AQHA is to each of us,” said her nominator. “Few could do what she has done and continues to do. She gives 200 percent all of the time. Millie Vessels would admire her, hug her and choose her for this award herself. Surely this is what this award is about.”

Find complete stories on all of these winners in upcoming issues of the Q-Racing Journal.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Driving, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Western/Reining

Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit Day Two Highlights

Leave a comment

Tampa, FL – December 29, 2013 – Results from the second day of competition at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit are now available to view online. To view the complete results, visit www.prohorseshow.com.

Want more from the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, including videos from yesterday’s Scott Hofstetter clinic? ‘Like’ the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit on Facebook here!

The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit features six full American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) shows and five days of events including hunters, equitation, AQHA reining, western pleasure, trail riding, driving, showmanship, halter classes, roping and the newest event, ranch pleasure. With the horse show ending on December 31, the circuit’s six shows provide an ideal opportunity for exhibitors to accumulate final year-end AQHA points.

For more information about the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit www.flgoldcoastcircuit.com.

Florida Gold Coast and Florida Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Show Circuit Fast Facts

EVENT: Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show and Florida Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Show

WHEN: Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show December 27-31, 2013 and Gulf Coast Quarter Horse Show January 1-6, 2014

WHAT: Two weeks of Quarter Horse shows featuring 12 full AQHA shows and ten full days of events including AQHA hunters, equitation, reining, western pleasure, trail riding, driving, showmanship halter classes at Bob Thomas Equestrian, plus additional strictly Western classes, Roping, Working Cowhorse, Cutting, and the newest event, Ranch Pleasure, held at Triple J Arena in Sarasota. Please call 561-722-7979 for more information about Triple J Arena classes.

WHERE: Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds
4800 North US Highway 301
Tampa, FL 33680

WEBSITE: www.flgoldcoastcircuit.com and www.fqha.net

HIGHLIGHTS:
– Western & English Pleasure
– Trail
– Hunters and Equitation
– Driving
– Showmanship
– Halter

THE FACILITY: Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, Tampa, FL
All arenas have a separate warm-up area:
Grand Prix Field 250′ x 350′
Covered Ring 165′ x 300′
Annex Ring 150′ x 275′
Indoor Ring 130′ x 250′

JUDGES:
Gold Coast – Dec. 27-31:
– Tony Burris
– John Dean
– Scott Hofstetter
– Nancy Sue Ryan
– Steve Stephens
– Carla Wennburg
– Daren Wright

Emily Riden for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Racing, Racing Sources

Feature Hero Wins All American Derby

Leave a comment

American Quarter Horse Association, September 1, 2013 – Reliance Ranches LLC’s Feature Hero won the September 1 All American Derby (G1) with a strong late charge. The race offered a $2,809,784 purse, which is the richest ever offered in the history of American Quarter Horse racing.

Racing in front of a crowd of 21,857 — the largest crowd ever for a non-All American Futurity day — Feature Hero was sent off at 24-1 by the bettors, broke well from Post 7 and was fourth early. The race’s fastest qualifier, Bon Accord, was on the early lead from Post 1, but was caught to finish a neck back. Feature Hero covered the 440 yards in :21.560. Point Break Dash finished third, and was followed by Vancouver Moon, Wonderboy, Elisas Secret, Wicked Courage, Louisana Corona, Tayte Me Down and The Magic Dash.

Feature Hero was ridden by Jimmy Dean Brooks and trained by Eddie Willis. Last year, the black gelding finished fourth in Carters Cookie’s Rainbow Futurity (G1). Earlier this year, he finished second in Brace For Bernal’s $253,000 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby (R), and then had a rough trip in the Jack Brook Stakes (RG3). His race record stands at four wins, three seconds and three thirds from 14 starts.

The $1,180,110 winning purse boosted Feature Hero’s earnings to $1,306,638.

Feature Hero qualified to the Derby through a second-place finish to Louisana Corona in their trial, with a :21.276 time, which was the 10th and final qualifying time. Feature Hero paid $49.80 to win.

“We believed in this horse and are so proud of him and Eddie,” said co-owner Micah McKinney. “We were not concerned that he was the 10th fastest qualifier. This is a thrill of a lifetime.”

Reliance Ranches is a family-owned business based out of Llano, Texas, run by the McKinney family. It includes Gary and his wife Shiela; son Micah and his wife, Leslie; and daughter M’Lissa Schoening and her husband, Jeremy. The family has an oil-gas business, but has always enjoyed horses and the agricultural lifestyle.

“We started running horses about nine years ago,” said Micah in an interview prior to the race. “We were visiting one day – my dad and my wife and I – and one of us said, why don’t we go buy a racehorse? We looked at each other and said, we don’t know anything about racehorses, but we can try to figure it out.”

The family did just that, and has become involved with numerous aspects of the racing industry. They race mostly Quarter Horses, and own a broodmare band of about 20 mares, including the likes of champion Spit Curl Diva ($829,353), Grade 1-placed Back In The Pack ($131,831) and stakes winner Illegal Fireworks ($181,847), among others, and raise about 20-25 foals per year.

The McKinneys are learning very fast – in addition to Feature Hero, they also have freshman star Coronado Cartel ($314,348) and distaffer Cruzin The Wagon ($336,869) among those carrying their colors.

Feature Hero was a $40,000 purchase from the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, and attracted their interest and that of Willis first because of the bloodline cross between Corona Chick (dam of his sire Valiant Hero) and Feature Mr Jess (sire of dam Illegal Feature), and then because he was a nice individual.

The gelding was bred in Oklahoma by Lana Merrick and Kent Jackson.

He is by the third-year sire Valiant Hero ($668,633), who won the 2006 Texas Classic Futurity (G1) and the 2007 Heritage Place Derby (G2). From 186 starters in three crops raced, Valiant Hero is represented by 110 winners, including 15 stakes winners and the earners of more than $6 million. Valiant Hero also is the sire of tomorrow’s All American Futurity (G1) qualifier Houdini.

Feature Hero is the first winner from three starters out of the winning Feature Mr Jess mare Illegal Feature ($23,410). His second dam, Illegally Special, was second in Quik Jolla’s 2003 West Texas Futurity (G1).

Feature Hero also represents a very important industry movement of horsemen speaking out against the use of performance-enhancing medications. Micah and Leslie founded Racing Free, a rapidly-growing industry alliance of owners, breeders and other horsemen dedicated to eliminating the use of illegal performance-enhancing medications.

Racing Free encourages the elimination of such medications by offering a positive way for the industry to speak out against the practice, as well as providing rewards to enrolled members. Seventeen of the 20 finalists in the All American Futurity and Derby – including Feature Hero – are Racing Free horses. Owners and breeders can enroll horses in the Racing Free program, and when their horses win races with clean drug tests, can earn money back.

“We are very proud of the fact that we have so many owners in the industry willing to stand up against the use of performance-enhancing drugs,” Micah said.

Feature Hero is not only racing free – but he’s racing fast and racing rich, and has raced into the history books.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast, and visit www.aqharacing.com.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Competitions, Racing

All American Qualifiers

Leave a comment

American Quarter Horse Association, August 31, 2013 – The 2013 All American Futurity (G1) is the richest race for 2-year-olds in North America, regardless of breed. Run every Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs in the mountain village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, the $2.6 million-est. race will be contested September 2 by 10 2-year-old American Quarter Horses. Meet two of the finalists:

Skuze Pleeze
Joe Mills’ homebred Skuze Pleeze (Dashin Bye-Sixy Hemp by Sixarun) was a $50,000 supplemental nominee to the All American Futurity. He finished second, a length behind fastest-qualifier Wagon Tales, to earn a :21.177 qualifying time under the guidance of champion jockey G. R. Carter Jr.

Trained by Tana Pace for his Broken Arrow, Oklahoma-based owner, Skuze Pleeze came into the trial with an undefeated record of three consecutive wins, his most recent the $50,000 Easy Jet Stakes (RG3) on June 2 at Remington Park.

Wagon Full Of Gold
One of the six All American Futurity qualifiers owned in part or whole by his breeders, Wagon Full Of Gold (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Cheyennes Bullion by Bully Bullion) won the second trial on the second day of qualifying, earning a :21.331 time.

Wagon Full Of Gold races for Ezra Lee, who bred the horse in partnership with his cousin, Toby Dahl. Lee races the horse in a Bayfield, Colorado-based partnership with Jill Giles and Melvin Neugebauer.

The colt was trained by Jill’s husband, Wes Giles, and was ridden in the trials by 2002 All American Futurity-winning jockey Jay Conklin. Wagon Full Of Gold has won two of three starts and earned $5,870.

ALL AMERICAN DERBY (G1)

This year, the $2.8 million-est. All American Derby (G1) for 3-year-olds is September 1. The race is expected to set an all-time record for the richest purse ever offered for racing American Quarter Horses. Meet two of the finalists:

Wonderboy
Sunset Well Service Inc.’s Wonderboy (Shazoom-First Place Queen by First Place Dash) finished third in Bon Accord’s trial to clock the fourth-fastest time of :21.204. Wonderboy broke his maiden in July 2012 at Ruidoso but has not won in eight races since and has only one second-place and one third-place finish in four races this year with earnings of $15,855. He was ridden in the trials by Roberto Valero for trainer Michael Chavez and his Midland, Texas-based owner.

Wonderboy was bred in Oklahoma by the Elk City, Oklahoma-based partnership of Newcomb Cattle Co. and Micah Leslie.

Vancouver Moon
Homebred Vancouver Moon (FDD Dynasty-Nagano Moon by Major Rime) was third behind Point Break Dash and Tayte Me Down in her trial to qualify with a :21.258 time.

Racing for Dosi and Norma Alvarez of Anthony, New Mexico, the filly last year was second to Carters Cookie in the Rainbow Futurity (G1) and has earned $125,236. She is trained by Juan Gonzalez and was ridden in the trials by Jaime Pargo Leos.

Fans can watch the All American Derby and Futurity – and many other races – free of charge at www.qracingvideo.com. Q-Racing Video provides unlimited access to live and replay simulcast race video of most American Quarter Horse tracks in the United States and Canada. For complete coverage of All American week at Ruidoso Downs, visit www.aqharacing.com. Read the September issue of the Q-Racing Journal, the digital publication covering American Quarter Horse racing, for full post-race analysis, at www.aqharacing.com, and find us on Facebook (Q-Racing) or Twitter (@AQHARacing). AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA Publications.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast, and visit www.aqharacing.com.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Contributors/Press, Racing

Rylees Boy Remains atop Poll

Leave a comment

American Quarter Horse Association, April 17, 2013 – This week’s AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com National Top 10 rankings look similar to the poll from a week ago, as Rylees Boy remains atop the same rivals. Pollsters had some minor opinion adjustments among the early season leaders, notably swapping PJ Chick In Black and Remembering Spence in the No. 2 and 3 positions, in narrow balloting.

Champion Rylees Boy, last year’s Champion of Champions (G1) winner and hero of February’s Los Alamitos Winter Championship (G1), garnered all first-place votes and 100 points in a unanimous showing. With key races in the division this weekend in the Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge Championship (G1) and Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Derby (R), expect some shuffling in next week’s poll.

The AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com National Top 10 rankings are presented each Wednesday of the racing season through year’s end. The national poll for 2-year-olds will debut later this spring as more juveniles embark on their racing careers.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & OLDER

1. RYLEES BOY (100)
2. PJ CHICK IN BLACK (72)
3. REMEMBERING SPENCE (69)
4. FIRST IN CLASS DBS (61)
5. TF FEATURED EFFORT (51)
6. TRES OF LINDA (41)
7. FEATURE MR WHO (32)
9. FAST PRIZE MIKE (27)
8. MR EASE CARTEL (25)
10. BIG BOI (16)

Brace For Bernal (9), Revv Me Up (8), Fast Prize Jordan (7), Henoshersecret (6), Bills Last (4), JD Baccarat (4), Flirtingwithamiracle (4), Tejas Energy (3), ICU Deity (2), Habits Secret (1), Last To Fire (1), Hez Our Secret (1)

The 10 voters are:
Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (Q-Racing Ace, writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Tom Dawson (Q-Racing Ace, network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Jerry Shottenkirk (Horseplayernow.com, handicapper/oddsmaker)
Jeremy Plonk (Night School co-founder/host)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104

Breeds, Racing

Eastex Handicap Highlights Remington Opening Weekend

Leave a comment

Q-Racing Journal, March 7, 2013 – Remington Park opens its racing season March 8, and James Sills and Abel Flores’ A Toss Up carries high weight of 125 pounds when he returns from a winter’s rest in the $50,000 Eastex Handicap (G2) for older horses to highlight a stakes doubleheader on Sunday.

Supporting the Eastex Handicap is the $50,000 Mighty Deck Three Handicap for older Oklahoma-breds.

A Toss Up (Sweet First Down-Shake Cartel by Corona Cartel) was nominated to both races and his connections chose to take on open horses at 350 yards in the Eastex.

The 4-year-old gelding adores Remington Park with three wins and a pair of seconds from seven starts at the track. A year ago, trainer Eddie Willis sent him out to back-to-back stakes wins in the $246,000 Remington Park Oklahoma-bred Derby (R) and the $100,000 Sooner State Stakes (RG1), defeating state-breds in each race.

After a fifth-place finish in the Remington Park Championship (G1), he was a close second to JD Baccarat in the Higheasterjet Stakes (G3) at Ruidoso Downs. He then won his trials and qualified to both the Grade 1 All American and Texas Classic derbies.

Denis and Julie Schoenhofer’s champion First Klas Fred (Fredricksburg-She Flies First Klas by Strawfly Special) concluded his 2012 season with a win in the Classic Chevrolet Stakes (R) and a second in the B. F. Phillips Handicap (RG3). Each of those races was at Lone Star Park for Texas-breds.

First Klas Fred won the 2009 Ruidoso Futurity (G1) on his way to being honored as champion 2-year-old gelding.

John Lawless’ very consistent Eufaula Me (Okey Dokey Dale-Yawls Spreadn Rumors by Serious Rumors) makes his first start since taking the $94,400 Polk County Derby (R) at Prairie Meadows in October. The close second-place finisher in last year’s $135,000 Oklahoma Derby also boasts stakes wins at Prairie Meadows in the Jim Bader Futurity (R) and the Iowa Double Gold Derby (R).

Two racing champions will make their 2013 debuts on Friday at Sunland Park. Champion 2-year-old filly PJ Chick In Black and champion distance horse All About Larry will start in trial races for the West Texas Derby (G2) and Red Cell Sunland Distance Challenge (G3), respectively.

PJ Chick In Black (Desirio-Eddie Jym by Corona Cocktail) races for Denny Bowen, Susie Taylor and Jack Smith Farms. She won five of six starts last year, including the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and New Mexico Spring Futurity (RG2), on her way to championship honors. She will attempt to follow a similar route to a 3-year-old championship taken by 2010 champion 3-year-old gelding Double Down Special, who won the West Texas Derby (G3), then traveled to Ruidoso Downs where he won the Grade 1 Ruidoso and All American derbies. She races in the third of seven trials for the derby, which is the fifth race on the card.

All About Larry (Heza Motor Scooter-Come Hell Or Hiwater by Shoot Yeah) races for Diane Heath. Last year, the champion distance horse won six of eight starts, including the Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship (G1). He races in the second of two trials to the Red Cell Sunland Distance Challenge, the second race on the card.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal or America’s Horse, visit AQHA Publications.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104