Quarter Horse News

The American Quarter Horse Journal, September 1, 2010 – Q-Racing Video is offering a free preview weekend at www.qracingvideo.com from 8 a.m. Friday, September 3 through 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 7. The service includes most American Quarter Horse race tracks in the United States, including Ruidoso Downs, host of this weekend’s Grade 1 All American Futurity and Derby, and coming soon, Los Alamitos Race Course.

Q-Racing Video now has significantly increased functionality and sports a more user-friendly interface. Q-Racing Video includes complete entries for each race, handicapping and wagering tutorials, plus the ability to search the video archives by track, date or horse as well as live chats with professional handicappers.

The handicappers of horseplayernow.com will host a live chat at Q-Racing Video on Monday, September 6 in advance of the All American Futurity. The chat will begin approximately one hour before the Futurity’s scheduled post time of 4:45 MDT.

Guests who wish to view Q-Racing Video free of charge this weekend will only need to provide a valid e-mail address at login.

Sponsored by The American Quarter Horse Journal and the Bank of America Racing Challenge, this new service shows actual live video from the racetracks, including post parade and racing action. It feels like you're watching a monitor in the clubhouse of your favorite track, but the action is right on your computer from anywhere there's Internet access. If you like what you see during the free preview, you can subscribe to the service and watch unlimited live and archived American Quarter Horse racing. Enjoy the subscription service for as little as $14.95 per month.

The live race video is only available when tracks are running, but past races are always available for review in the archive section. A schedule is available on the website and includes race days and post times for each track. Only tracks that are currently conducting an American Quarter Horse meet are included on the menu. The lineup will change throughout the year as tracks open and close their meets.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, September 1, 2010 – When Good Reason SA won last fall’s Los Alamitos $2 Million Futurity (G1), the 23-1 upset reasonably left observers wondering just how good he might be. But after Saturday night’s Grade 1 Golden State Derby victory improved his lifetime record to five-for-six, fans are taking notice. The Paul Jones-trainee was rewarded with a No. 6 ranking in this week’s AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 3-year-olds and older.

While Good Reason SA shook things up in the rankings for older horses, the top 5 remained unchanged, led by unanimous No. 1 Freaky. The 3-year-olds competing in Sunday’s All American Derby (G1) final could have a say in the immediate look for the poll. Qualifiers include No. 3-ranked Double Down Special and No. 8-ranked Apollitical Jess.

The 2-year-old rankings were largely unchanged this week, but figure to get an entirely new face after Monday’s All American Futurity (G1) final at Ruidoso Downs. Fastest-qualifier JLS Mr Bigtime checks in at No. 4 this week in the lead-up to the main event with a chance to wrestle the top ranking away from Ruidoso Futurity (G1) winner American Runaway. No. 10-ranked Dominyun is the only other currently ranked juvenile in the All American final, so expect several new faces to emerge next week.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.    AMERICAN RUNAWAY (87)
2.    HES TOO ICY FOR ME (74)
3.    FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (61)
4.    JLS MR BIGTIME (54)
5.    LLANO TELLER (46)
6.    GIVINITAROYALEFFORT (44)
7.    WEST COAST HAWK (43)
8.    SIXES LIAISON (21)
9.    HOT HITTER (16)
10.  DOMINYUN (15)
 
Cuz Iba Okey (10), No Dice Special (6), Streak Of Sixes (3), Miss Racy Jess (2), First Painted Sign (17), All N The Jeans (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.    FREAKY (90)
2.    JESS YOU AND I (78)
3.    DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (73)
4.    SWINGIN DADDYO (56)
5.    STOLIS WINNER (43)
6.    GOOD REASON SA (30)
7.    EASY DASHIN SIXES (24)
8.    APOLLITCAL JESS (23)
9.    HEADTURNER (17)
10.  SPIT CURL DIVA (9)

Stylish Jess BR (8), Chivalry SR (7), One Diamond Kitty (6), Streakin Down (6), A Tempting Dash (6), Blues Man Too (6), Pink Boots RM (4), Rylees Boy (4), A Streakin Son (2), Snitcher (1)

Find complete poll results each week at www.aqharacing.com and www.horseplayernow.com.

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)

Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)

Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)

Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)

Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)

Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, August 26, 2010 – Noel Balderas’s XO Kate, who was narrowly defeated by world champion Stolis Winner in her latest start, races in the $66,870 Bank of America Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge (G2) over 440 yards on Saturday night. The contest highlights two nights of Bank of America Challenge stakes at Prairie Meadows.

Also on Saturday night are the $30,000 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge and the $27,270 Merial Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge.



On Friday night, the $44,990 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge takes the spotlight.



The winners of these races earn invitations to their respective championship stakes at Fair Grounds on November 19.



XO Kate (Stoli-Streakin Kate by Streakin Six) has been close to earning a trip to Fair Grounds and could get the job done Saturday night. Three starts ago, she was second by a nose in the Bank of America Delta Championship Challenge (G3). In her most recent start she was second by a neck in the Bank of America Sam Houston Championship Challenge (G1).



In the Bank of America Sam Houston Championship Challenge, she was dismissed at 10-1 odds, but stepped up to finish a game second behind world champion Stolis Winner.

The 5-year-old mare rebounded from a winless 2009 to race to a pair of wins and three second-place finishes from six 2010 starts for trainer Javier Contreras.

J. Garvan Kelly and Nancy Yearsley’s 7-year-old Value The Man (Heza Fast Man-Sheeza Lil Val by Dashing Val) has the past class to be dangerous and likes 440 yards. The gelding won the 2005 Los Alamitos Million Futurity (G1) and was second in the 2008 Los Alamitos Championship (G1).

In the Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge, Rose Chandler’s Acorn (Oak Tree Special-Trip Gal (TB) by Tasso) has also made the trip from Houston after recent success.

The Janet VanBebber-trained gelding comes off an impressive three-quarter-length score in the Sam Houston Derby (G2). He raced the 400 yards in a sharp :19.647 for his second win from two 2010 starts.



Regal Rockn (A Regal Choice-NN Rock N Effort by A Gallant Effort) won three futurities in Arizona last year and stepped up with a third-place finish in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) at Los Alamitos.



Trainer Edward Ross Hardy is loaded for the Merial Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge with four dangerous entrants, headed by Gary and Patricia Peterson’s Coeur D Alene (Stoli-Eye Opening Special by Mr Eye Opener).



Coeur D Alene makes her Prairie Meadows debut after a third-place finish in the Merial Sam Houston Distaff Challenge at 7-2 odds. She scored her most recent victory when she took an allowance race at Sam Houston Race Park on June 5.



The Hardy-trained Dasha Effort (Fishers Dash-Such An Easy Effort by Special Effort) is poised for a strong performance after two wins and a second in a Delta Downs stakes in her three latest starts. The Jumonville Farms-owned mare has finished in the top-two finishers in five of seven career starts.



On Friday night, Toni and Loyd Yother’s homebred A Plain Brown Rapper is the horse to beat in the John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge.



A Plain Brown Rapper (A Regal Choice-Belles A Lady by Corona Cartel) pulled away to win his John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge trial by three-quarters of a length over second-fastest qualifier La Jolla Cowgirl (Heza Fast Dash-La Jolla CA by Streakin La Jolla). A Plain Brown Rapper was timed in :17.518, while La Jolla Cowgirl raced to a :17.635 time.



The William Harris-trained A Plain Brown Rapper showed stakes potential two starts ago when he rolled to a 3-length win in a $15,000 Prairie Meadows maiden race in :15.749 for the 300 yards.



Gregory Cullum’s La Jolla Cowgirl, trained by Frank Cooper, volleyed for the lead with A Plain Brown Rapper in their John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge trial, but was unable to stay with the winner. The filly is winless from three starts, with the John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge trial her best effort.

Martin Stacy’s Trickham (Royal Blue Chew Chew-Thisdimplesaniopener by Mr Eye Opener) has the class edge in the John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge after finishing a close second in the $58,000 Northlands Futurity. He held the lead and was caught at the wire to lose by a nose.

Fans can watch live racing at Prairie Meadows and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, August 25, 2010 – Louisiana-based JLS Mr Bigtime took full advantage of the national stage at last week’s All American Futurity presented by Sentient Jet (G1) trials and has put himself squarely in the spotlight. The impressive trial winner sprinted from the shadows all the way to No. 4 in this week’s AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 2-year-olds.

The fastest qualifier (:21.220) for the 440-yard All American Futurity, JLS Mr Bigtime could be on the brink of dethroning the early season’s leaders of the 2-year-old rankings. No. 1 and No. 2-rated American Runaway and Hes Too Icy For Me – winners of the Grade 1 Ruidoso and Rainbow futurities – both failed to qualify for the All American final and could be in danger of slipping.

Also new this week at No. 10 is rising 2-year-old Dominyun, fresh off a third-fastest All American Futurity trial score and boasting a two-for-three career mark.

As for the older horses, unanimous No. 1 Freaky remains on the firmest of ground among pollsters. Meanwhile, fast riser Apollitical Jess ran past Double Down Special in his All American Derby (G1) trial last week at Ruidoso and all the way to No. 6 in this week’s poll. Also breaking the Top 10 for older horses is the ultra-consistent mare Spit Curl Diva at No. 9, winner of the Keokuk Stakes (G3) at Prairie Meadows two weeks ago.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.    AMERICAN RUNAWAY (87)
2.    HES TOO ICY FOR ME (74)
3.    FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (62)
4.    JLS MR BIGTIME (50)
5.    WEST COAST HAWK (47)
7.    GIVINITAROYALEFFORT (44)
7.    LLANO TELLER (42)
8.    SIXES LIAISON (23)
9.    HOT HITTER (16)
10.  DOMINYUN (15)
 
Cuz Iba Okey (12), No Dice Special (7), Make Me Fly (6), Streak Of Sixes (3), Miss Racy Jess (2), A Snowy Cartel (2), Brimmies Alli Bi B (1), All N The Jeans (1), First Painted Sign (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.    FREAKY (90)
2.    JESS YOU AND I (78)
3.    DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (73)
4.    SWINGIN DADDYO (56)
5.    STOLIS WINNER (46)
6.    APOLLITCAL JESS (35)
7.    EASY DASHIN SIXES (22)
8.    HEADTURNER (13)
9.    SPIT CURL DIVA (12)
10.  BLUES MAN TOO (10)

Stylish Jess BR (9), One Diamond Kitty (9), Rylees Boy (8), Chivalry SR (7), Streakin Down (6), A Tempting Dash (6), Dylans Dandy (2), A Streakin Son (2), Smokey Stone (1), Gone To The Mountain (1), Snitcher (1), Comin Thru (1)

Find complete poll results each week at www.aqharacing.com and www.horseplayernow.com.

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)

Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)

Tom Dawson (network television producer)

Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)

Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)

Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)

Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

The American Quarter Horse Journal, August 19, 2010 – Masters Call and My Lady First in the Bank of America Los Alamitos Challenge (G2) on Saturday night headline the Bank of America Racing Challenge stakes action this weekend in southern California. The Merial Los Alamitos Distaff Challenge runs on Friday night and the Adequan Los Alamitos Derby Challenge is carded for Sunday.
       
    
The winner of each of these stakes earns a berth in their respective division during the Bank of America Challenge Championships at Fair Grounds on November 19 at Fair Grounds Race Course.
           

Masters Call (Hennessy (TB)-Check Her Twice by First Down Dash) has the opportunity to score the most important win of his career after taking the 2007 Los Alamitos Two Million Juvenile and the $25,000 Farnam Stakes last year. The Farnam Stakes was his most recent win and he impressed with the daylight victory in a fast :21.176 for the 440 yards.
   
        
The Paul Jones-trained Masters Call was second on March 13 in the Katella Handicap and comes into the Bank of America Los Alamitos Challenge off a third-place finish at 7-2 odds in a conditioned allowance race.
        
   
Rancho El Alacran’s My Lady First (First Down Dash-Lady of the Lake (TB) by Salt Lake) takes on male competition in her second 2010 start. The Adan Farias-trained mare was fourth against females on July 31 in the California Breeders Matron Stakes (G2) as the 9-5 favorite.
           

My Lady First concluded her 2009 campaign on a strong note by winning her Z. Wayne Griffin Directors Trial and then finishing in fifth place in the Champion of Champions (G1) behind world champion Freaky.
           

In the Adequan Los Alamitos Derby Challenge, Call Me Fisher (Fishers Dash-Rare Peppermint by Rare Form) tries to complete his rise from maiden to stakes winner in five starts when he brings fastest-qualifier honors into the 400-yard finals.
           

Owned by Jim and Marilyn Helzer with breeder Patricia Potts, Call Me Fisher won the second of two trials by an impressive 1 1/4 lengths after a troubled start. He raced the 400 yards in :19.503 for his second career win.
           

The Cody Joiner-trained gelding returned from an eight-month layoff to score the trial win. Last fall at Lone Star Park he broke his maiden and finished third in a second-level allowance race.
           

David and Jorge Landeros’ Secret Battleground (Brimmerton-Secretively by Special Leader) won the other trial and will be dangerous on the strength of his consistent record. The Felipe Quintero-trained gelding has four wins, three seconds and five thirds while competing mainly at smaller tracks throughout the intermountain region and northwest.
     
      
Secret Battleground made his Los Alamitos debut in the Adequan Los Alamitos Derby Challenge trials and responded with a half-length win in :19.612, the second-fastest qualifying time.
           

Before heading to Los Al, Secret Battleground took the Adequan Sandy Downs Derby Challenge by half a length as a 13-1 outsider.
           

In the Merial Distaff Challenge (G3), Benny Rossett’s Stylish Jess BR (Feature Mr Jess-Stylish Secret by Dash For Cash) returns from a nearly seven-month layoff to attempt another strong fall-winter campaign.
        
   
Last year, the Jones-trained mare won the Merial California Distaff Challenge and then won the Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) and crossed the finish line in second place in the Champion of Champions before being disqualified and placed seventh.
           

Two years ago, she won the Mildred Vessels Invitational (G1), was second in the Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1) and then raced in the Champion of Champions (G1).
  
         
Parsons Family Trust’s Terrific Energy (Mr Jess Perry-First Down Energy by First Down Dash) makes her first start since finishing second behind Stylish Jess BR in the Merial Distaff Challenge Championship nearly 10 months ago. The Chris O’Dell-trained winner of six of 12 career starts has Grade-1 wins in the 2009 Charger Bar Handicap and the 2009 Mildred Vessels Invitational.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, August 18, 2010 – Four of the top five-rated juvenile runners in this week’s AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll will be in action Thursday at Ruidoso Downs in trials for the sport’s ultimate prize, the All American Futurity presented by Sentient Jet (G1). Led by Ruidoso Futurity (G1) winner American Runaway at No. 1 and Rainbow Futurity (G1) upsetter Hes Too Icy For Me at No. 2, the trials will set the tone for not only the All American, but the outlook of summer and fall polling.

Other top-ranked 2-year-olds in action Thursday include No. 3-ranked Givinitaroyaleffort and No. 5-ranked Llano Teller. None of the ranked runners drew into the same trials among the 20 offered. Among those receiving votes in this week’s poll and competing in the All American trials include Treason, Bigtime Cat and All N The Jeans.

As for the older horses, the national rankings this week see one new entrant, No. 10 Chivarly SR. He romped to an easy victory last Saturday at Los Alamitos to become the fastest qualifier for the Golden State Derby (G1) on August 28. Meanwhile, Freaky remains securely No. 1 as the unanimous choice among pollsters.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.     AMERICAN RUNAWAY (86)
2.     HES TOO ICY FOR ME (82)
3.     GIVINITAROYALEFFORT (69)
4.     FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (63)
5.     LLANO TELLER (57)
6.     WEST COAST HAWK (43)
7.     HOT HITTER (27)
8.     SIXES LIAISON (25)
9.     NO DICE SPECIAL (17)
10.   A SNOWY CARTEL (10)
 
Treason (3), First Painted Sign (2), Bigtime Cat (2), Brimmies Alli Bi B (2), This Corona Is Cold (1), All N The Jeans (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.     FREAKY (90)
2.     JESS YOU AND I (79)
3.     DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (73)
4.     SWINGIN DADDYO (54)
5.     STOLIS WINNER (41)
6.     EASY DASHIN SIXES (36)
7.     HEADTURNER (26)
8.     BLUES MAN TOO (26)
9.     ONE DIAMOND KITTY (17)
10.   CHIVALRY SR (14)

Pink Boots RM (11), Spit Curl Diva (7), A Tempting Dash (6), Runnning Brook Gal (6), Rylees Boy (5), Dylans Dandy (4), A Streakinson (2), Streakin Down (1), Comin Thru (1), Snitcher (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)

Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)

Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)

Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)

Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, August 5, 2010 – Dominyun and Feature Honor are set for a rematch in Saturday’s $62,210 John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge (G3) at Ruidoso Downs after they ran one-two in their trial with the two-fastest qualifying times.

One of four finalists trained by John Buchanan, Dominyun (Mr Jess Perry-Runaway Dee Dee by Runaway Winner) won his trial by a neck in :17.280 for the 350 yards. Feature Honor (Feature Mr Jess-Honor Ease by Holland Ease) was credited with a :17.311 time.
           

Bobby Cox’s homebred Dominyun promises to have a stakes future after setting that fastest-qualifying time in just his second start. He made his first start in the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) trials and finished in fifth place after losing his footing and drifting inward.
           

Cox will also be represented by Palm Beach (Mr Jess Perry-Babe On The Beach by Invisible Injun) and Granturismo (Stoli-Special Beach Babe by Eyesa Special), both Buchanan-trained, in the John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge.
           

Palm Beach broke his maiden in his third start in his John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge trial. He won by a neck with the fourth-fastest qualifying time of :17.534.
           

Granturismo is a maiden after for outs, but shows a pair of strong runner-up efforts. He was second behind two-time Grade 1 futurity qualifier Bodacious Dash in their Ruidoso Futurity trial ands second by a nose in his John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge trial.
           

Buchanan’s fourth qualifier is William Fowler Jr.’s Features Lucky Charm (Feature Mr Jess-Las Alamitos by First Down Dash). She was second by a head in her John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge trial, her career debut.
           

Second-fastest qualifier Feature Honor (Feature Mr Jess-Honor Ease by Holland Ease), owned by Carmina LLC and trained by Jim Boss, won his first two starts in Mexico, including a $32,500 stakes, before making his United States debut in the John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge trials. In the trial he raced on the lead, but could not hold Dominyun safe nearing the wire and sustained his first defeat.
 


Fans can watch live racing at Ruidoso Downs and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, August 4, 2010 – Two new faces debut in this week’s AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national polls, while All American Derby (G1) winner Swingin Daddyo continues his move up the charts. The rankings for 2-year-olds add fresh face Hot Hitter, who checks in at No. 7 this week, while the poll for older horses is joined by new No. 10 Pink Boots RM.

Freaky remains the unanimous No. 1 choice among the sport’s older horses, a position he’s held all season. But while the top of the poll remained solid, the bottom found a newcomer at No. 10. A former claimer who has been on a roll with seven wins in 11 career starts, Pink Boots RM struts into this week’s poll for the first time on the heels of a victory in last Saturday’s Governor’s Cup Derby (RG2) at Los Alamitos. Also on the move this week is Swingin Daddyo, who rises from No. 7 to No. 4 as pollsters further appreciate his Rainbow Derby score from late July.

As for the 2-year-olds, the top duel between the Rainbow Futurity’s (G1) one-two finishers gets even tighter this week as just four points separate American Runaway and Hes Too Icy For Me in the balloting. Meanwhile, California-bred Hot Hitter parlays a win in Saturday’s Governor’s Cup Futurity (RG1) into a debut ranking at No. 7 this week.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.     AMERICAN RUNAWAY (86)
2.     HES TOO ICY FOR ME (82)
3.     GIVINITAROYALEFFORT (69)
4.     FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (63)
5.     LLANO TELLER (53)
6.     WEST COAST HAWK (46)
7.     HOT HITTER (28)
8.     SIXES LIAISON (24)
9.     NO DICE SPECIAL (20)
10.   A SNOWY CARTEL (8)
 
First Painted Sign (4), Treason (3), Brimmies Alli Bi B (2), Bigtime Cat (1), This Corona Is Cold (1), All N The Jeans (1)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.     FREAKY (90)
2.     JESS YOU AND I (78)
3.     DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (71)
4.     SWINGIN DADDYO (57)
5.     STOLIS WINNER (46)
6.     EASY DASHIN SIXES (35)
7.     HEADTURNER (27)
8.     BLUES MAN TOO (20)
9.     ONE DIAMOND KITTY (15)
10.   PINK BOOTS RM (13)

Chivalry SR (7), Runnning Brook Gal (6), A Tempting Dash (6), Rylees Boy (5), Dylans Dandy (4), Separate Bet (3), Diamond For Jess (2), Streakin Down (2), First Klas Fred (2), A Streakinson (2), JA Golsablazin (1), Gone To The Mountain (1), King Brimmerton (1), Snitcher (1)

Find complete poll results each week at www.aqharacing.com and www.horseplayernow.com.

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 30, 2010 – Two-time futurity winner Streak Of Sixes headlines the $351,963 Zia Futurity (RG1) at the Zia Festival Quarter Horse races Sunday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.
            
The Zia Festival celebrates New Mexico racing with a card devoted to stakes races for New Mexico-breds.
            
Peter and Marjorie Gallegos’ Zia Futurity hopeful Streak Of Sixes (Sixes Royal-Perfect Sevens by Major Rime) is the prime attraction in the Quarter Horse stakes after winning the New Mexican Spring Futurity (RG1) at Sunland Park and the Mountain Top Futurity (R) at Ruidoso Downs. Her only non-win from six starts was a third-place effort in her Mountain Top Futurity trial.
            
The Juan Gonzalez-trained filly rebounded from that effort to dominate the Mountain Top Futurity (R) by 1 1/2  lengths. She then stepped forward to impress with a half-length Zia Futurity trial win in :19.757 for 400 yards, the fastest time from nine trials.
            
Ron Hanna and Ed Johnson Jr.’s Elegante (Dash Ta Fame-Bag The Hawk (TB) by Track Rebel) was second behind Streak Of Sixes in their trial and recorded the second-fastest qualifying mark of :19.828. The promising colt from the Carlos Sedillo barn was fourth in his Mountain Top trial in his only other start.
            
American Quarter Horse Hall of Famer R.D. Hubbard could have a prosperous Zia Festival day with fastest-qualifier Down With You (The Down Side-Im Stealing The Show by The Signature) in the $126,924 Zia Derby (RG2) and defending champ PB And Crackers (The Down Side-Zany Saltine by Salt Lake (TB)) in the $50,000 Zia Handicap (RG2).
            
Owned with wife Joan Dale Hubbard, Down With You has raced primarily against open company and was the second-place finisher in the $150,000 All American Juvenile. The Paul Jones-trained gelding made his second 2010 start against state-bred company in his Zia Derby trial, winning by a neck in :19.751 for 400 yards.
            
Down With You faces Desiree Mooring’s Corona Memory Crest (Corona Caliente-Memory Crest by Leaving Memories) in the Zia Derby. He has thrived against New Mexico-bred company with five wins from eight starts. He has won five of his latest six starts for trainer Sedillo with a second in the New Mexico Breeders’ Stakes (R) as the 13-10 favorite.
            
Corona Memory Crest overcame trouble to win his Zia Derby trial by a neck with the second-fastest qualifying time of :19.762 for 400 yards.
            
Zia Handicap defending winner PB And Crackers, owned with Shaun Hubbard, prevailed by a nose in last year’s Zia Handicap when he was a sophomore challenging older horses. He prepared to defend his title with an impressive allowance win at Ruidoso Downs on June 3 and carries high weight of 125 pounds.
            
The homebred PB And Crackers was a premier juvenile at Ruidoso Downs in 2008 when he won the Ruidoso Juvenile and was second in the $625,000 Rainbow Futurity (G1).

Fans can watch live racing at Ruidoso Downs and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 29, 2010 – Governors Cup Futurity (RG1) fastest-qualifier Hot Hitter and the sharp Pink Boots RM, fastest qualifier to the Governor’s Cup Derby (RG1) highlight California Champions night at Los Alamitos on Saturday.

The evening’s program is dedicated to California-bred racing and includes A Streakinson in the $100,000 Spencer Childers California Championship (RG1), defending winner My Lady First in the $50,000 Matron Stakes (RG2) and Ed Burke Million (G1) winner First Down Illusion in the $25,000 Freshman Stakes.

Balgo Racing Team’s Hot Hitter (Walk Thru Fire-Chickasis by Chicks Beduino) faces a deep field in the $428,000 Governor’s Cup Futurity after turning in a sharp win in his trial for trainer Felipe Quintero. The chestnut gelding was second in his first two starts before stepping up and winning his trial by a neck in :17.417, the fastest qualifying time from seven trials.

Jesus Velasco’s second-fastest qualifier Silveree (Separatist-Quiero Todo by First Down Dash) won her maiden two starts ago and then backed up that effort with a half-length trial win. The Felix Gonzalez-trained filly was timed in :17.463.

The Childers Ranch-homebred Hawks Dream Girl (Hawkinson-Million Dreams by Apollo (TB)) should gain support after rolling to a 1 ½-length trial win. The Dan Francisco-trained filly was a narrow winner of a maiden race two starts ago and stepped up with the impressive trial score in the third-fastest time of :17.468.

In the Governors Cup Derby, Pink Boots RM (Walk Thru Fire-Furash Alert (TB) by Gold Alert) should be favored to gain her first stakes win after easily winning her latest five starts while moving up in class. She started her winning spree at the $12,500 conditioned-claiming level and set the fastest qualifying time to the derby in her most recent start.

In her trial, Pink Boots RM rolled to a 1 ½-length win in :19.374 for the 400 yards.

The Childers homebred Peace Fire (Walk Thru Fire-Be Peacefull by Raise A Secret) looks to complete the Governors Cup Futurity-Derby double. Last year she capped a three-race winning streak with a neck win in the Governor’s Cup Futurity as the 4-5 favorite.

With defending champion and world champion Freaky passing on the 400-yard Childers, the race opens up and A Streakinson (Hawkinson-Streakit Special by Special Effort) could be ready to take advantage of the opportunity for owners Steve Burns, John Andreini and Danny Cardoza.

The Adan Farias-trained gelding stepped up to the stakes ranks in his most recent start and came through with a troubled second-place finish in the Vessels Maturity (G1). The 7-10 favorite, he veered out at the start and then rallied to get within a head of Blues Man Too.

Bloke and Frankie Shoots should also be dangerous in the Childers.

Ramon Alanis’s Bloke (Fishers Dash-Blanket Splitter by El Rey Burner) was a close third in the Vessels Maturity and fourth in the Los Alamitos Winter Championship (G1) for trainer Miguel Rodriguez.

Azoom LP’s Frankie Shoots (Dashin Bye-Shake N Shoot by Tolltac) had a productive Remington Park campaign for trainer Paul Jones with a second in the Eastex Handicap (G2) and a third in the Leo Stakes (G1). He comes off a second-place run behind A Mere Splash in a Los Alamitos allowance race.

Rancho El Alacran’ My Lady First (First Down Dash-Lady of the Lake (TB) by Salt Lake) makes her 2010 debut in the $50,000 Matron Stakes, a race she won in 2009. The 2009 championship contender also won her Directors Trial, was second in the Mildred Vessels (G1) and fifth in the Champion of Champions (G1).

David and Ross Hinkins’ Ed Burke Million winner First Down Illusion (First Down Dash-Fishers Fantasy by For Really(TB)) races in the Freshman Stakes before preparing for his fall futurity run in the Golden State Million (G1) and the Los Alamitos Two Million (G1). The Adan Farias-trained gelding upset the Ed Burke field at 30-1 odds while breaking his maiden in his fifth career start.

If First Down Illusion can add the Golden State Million and Los Alamitos Two Million to his resume after his Ed Burke victory, then he will take the $1 million Los Alamitos Cash Bonanza.

Marco Barajas’ Regal Tol (A Regal Choice-Classic Tol by A Classic Dash) heads the $25,000 Jens List Jr. Memorial Stakes (RG3). He was claimed for $10,000 and then reeled off three consecutive wins against maiden and conditioned allowance company. The sophomore gelding raced 350 yards in a fast :17.176 to win his most recent start after breaking through the gate prior to the start.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 29, 2010 – Only a nose separated upsetter Hes Too Icy For Me and heavily favored American Runaway in last Saturday’s Rainbow Futurity (G1), and when the dust settled among national pollsters in the latest AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 2-year-olds, it was another photo finish. Balloters kept the once-unanimous No. 1 American Runaway in his top perch, but only seven points separate him from upstart Hes Too Icy For Me.

The 3-year-olds and older rankings remained solid at the top with unanimous No. 1 Freaky holding down the fort as he has all season. The week’s big mover was No. 7 Swingin Daddyo, winner of the Rainbow Derby (G1). Stolis Winner moves up a few spots to No. 4 this week, gaining momentum in the national rankings.

Next week’s polls will likely be shaped by the stakes-laden California Breeders Champions Night at Los Alamitos on Saturday.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.     AMERICAN RUNAWAY (87)
2.     HES TOO ICY FOR ME (80)
3.     GIVINITAROYALEFFORT (70)
4.     FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (58)
5.     LLANO TELLER (53)
6.     WEST COAST HAWK (52)
7.     SIXES LIAISON  (21)
8.     NO DICE SPECIAL (19)
9.     A SNOWY CARTEL (17)
10.   FIRST PAINTED SIGN (11)
 
Treason (5), Freighttrain B (5), Knuckles O Toole (3), Painted Sable (3), Bigtime Cat (3) MCM Dashmaster (2), This Corona Is Cold (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.     FREAKY (90)
2.     JESS YOU AND I (78)
3.     DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (69)
4.     STOLIS WINNER (52)
5.     EASY DASHIN SIXES (40)
6.     HEADTURNER (39)
7.     SWINGIN DADDYO (36)
T8.   BLUES MAN TOO (20)
T8.   ONE DIAMOND KITTY (20)
10.   RYLEES BOY (16)

Streakin Down (9), Runnning Brook Gal (8), Separate Bet (7), Dylans Dandy (4), Love Samba (2), First Klas Fred (2), JA Golsablazin (2), Gone To The Mountain (1)

Find complete poll results each week at www.aqharacing.com and www.horseplayernow.com.
The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)

Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)

Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)

Tom Dawson (network television producer)

Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)

Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)

Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 22, 2010 – Owner Jim Pitts and trainer Blane Wood hope the third time is a charm for Love Samba in the record-smashing $873,441 Rainbow Derby (G1) Saturday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.
    
       
The purse easily surpasses the previous record of $567,167 set in 1982. Saturday’s winner receives $436,720. Last year’s Derby purse was $480,857.
           

The Rainbow Derby figures to be the third-richest Quarter Horse derby of 2010 behind the $1.5 million-est. All American Derby and the $1.25 million-est. Los Alamitos Super Derby, both Grade 1.
           

Love Samba (Corona Cartel-The Creole Queen by First Down Dash) was the fastest qualifier to last summer’s Rainbow Futurity (G1) and All American Futurity (G1), but did not light the board in either.
    
       
The elegantly conformed filly found misfortune in the Rainbow Futurity. She was very fractious in the gate before the start and stewards considered scratching her from the $625,000 race. However, after a race delay, she was reloaded and raced to a game fourth-place finish.
           

A $160,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale purchase, Love Samba then set the top qualifying time to the $1.9 million All American Futurity (G1) and was sent off as the 19-10 favorite in search of the $1 million first-place check. She finished fifth behind champion Runnning Brook Gal.
          

Now Love Samba has a third opportunity as the fastest qualifier to the Rainbow Derby. She showed her grit when she battled with Smokey Stone throughout their Rainbow Derby trial and prevailed by a neck in :20.996 for 440 yards and became the only horse from the five trials to break the :21 mark.

           
John and Douglas May’s Smokey Stone (A Regal Choice-Madonna Effort by Special Effort) raced to the second-fastest qualifying time of :21.034.
           

Smokey Stone has developed this summer for trainer Fred Danley. The A Regal Choice colt was the fourth-place finisher in the $569,000 Ruidoso Derby (G1).
           

Wood also saddles Rodney Christiansen’s homebred Sir Seth (First Down Dash-Quiet Courage by Heza Fast Man) in the Rainbow Derby. The colt has never finished below third from eight starts and has reached the winner’s circle five times. His two third-place finishes came in the Ruidoso Futurity and the Ruidoso Derby.
         
  
Four other horses with Grade 1 experience at Ruidoso Downs race in the Rainbow Derby: First Klas Fred, Favorite Cartel, Swingin Daddyo and Jess So Sixy.
           

Denis and Julie Schoenhofer’s fourth-fastest qualifier First Klas Fred (Fredricksburg-She Flies First Klas by Strawfly Special) won the 2009 Ruidoso Futurity and then won the Hobbs America Futurity (G3) on his way to being named champion 2-year-old gelding. Mike Joiner trains him.
           

Fifth-fastest qualifier Favorite Cartel (Favorite Trick (TB)-Shenoshercorona by Corona Cartel) raced to a third-place finish in the Rainbow Futurity as the 7-5 favorite and then was the fourth-place runner in the All American Futurity for trainer Paul Jones. Favorite Cartel is owned by R.D. Hubbard, Jim Helzer, Terry Thompson and Jones.
      
     
Debra Gotovac’s sixth-fastest qualifier Swingin Daddyo (Agouti-Swingin Otoole by Jody O Toole) reached the finals of the Ruidoso and All American futurities last summer and ran a close second in the Ruidoso Derby as a 21-1 longshot. The Brad Bolen-trained gelding prevailed by a neck over Sir Seth in their Rainbow Derby trial.
      
     
Robert Williams’ ninth-fastest qualifier Jess So Sixy (Mr Jess Perry-Oh So Sixy by Six Fortunes) also qualified for the Ruidoso and All American futurities before finishing a very troubled seventh in the Ruidoso Derby for trainer Wes Giles.


Fans can watch live racing at Ruidoso Downs and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 21, 2010 – The latest AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 2-year-olds showed no changes in advance of Sunday’s Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity, which means that a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown remains intact between American Runaway and Llano Teller. Ocean Runaway was the Rainbow Futurity’s fastest qualifier at :19.428 for 400 yards, and remains the unanimous top choice among the national pollsters this week.

Ocean Runaway and Llano Teller are the only Rainbow Futurity finalists ranked in this week’s poll, but the No. 1 vs. No. 2 match-up is the race of the year so far among juveniles. Another top race in the division, the Governor’s Cup Futurity (RG1) at Los Alamitos, should have a serious bearing on the division when its final is held July 31.

As for the older horses, Freaky remains the unanimous No. 1 horse in the land, but is not expected to race again until September. Blues Man Too (No. 7) and One Diamond Kitty (No. 10) both moved back into the poll this week as the only changes in the balloting. Saturday’s Grade 1 Rainbow Derby does not feature any currently ranked older horses, but could produce a newcomer to next week’s poll after the final.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.     AMERICAN RUNAWAY (90)
2.     LLANO TELLER (76)
3.     GIVENITAROYALEFFORT (75)
4.     WEST COAST HAWK (61)
5.     FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (54)
6.     A SNOWY CARTEL (34)
7.     NO DICE SPECIAL (25)
8.     SIXES LIASION (24)
9.     KNUCKLES O TOOLE (19)
10.   TREASON (10)
 
Big Time Cat (9), Freighttrain B (8), Painted Sable (8), Bodacious Dash (7), All N The Jeans (6), WR Carver (4), First Painted Sign (4), MCM Dashmaster (4), Endless Ocean (3), Streak Of Sixes (3), BV Never Let Go (2)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.     FREAKY (90)
2.     JESS YOU AND I (78)
3.     DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (70)
4.     HEADTURNER (48)
5.     EASY DASHIN SIXES (38)
6.     STOLIS WINNER (33)
7.     BLUES MAN TOO (32)
8.     STREAKIN DOWN (28)
9.     RYLEES BOY (22)
10.   ONE DIAMOND KITTY (12)

Separate Bet (9), Runnning Brook Gal (8), Dylans Dandy (7), A Streakinson (7), Stylish Jess BR (3), Love Samba (2), Zupers Quick Dash (2), JA Golsablazin (2), Jumpn Beduino (2), Chivalry SR (1), Gone To The Mountain (1)

Find complete poll results each week at www.aqharacing.com and www.horseplayernow.com.

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)

Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)

Tom Dawson (network television producer)

Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)

Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)

Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 15, 2010 – The ultra-consistent Spit Curl Diva in the Merial Arapahoe Park Distaff Challenge and fastest-qualifier Seis Star Glitter in the Adequan Arapahoe Park Derby Challenge provide doubleheader action at Arapahoe Park. The winners of Saturday’s two Challenge races receive automatic berths to the Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships on November 19 at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Spit Curl Diva (Spit Curl Jess-Some Kinda Diva by Some Dasher) stands out in the Merial Arapahoe Park Distaff Challenge after building an impressive stakes resume racing on the Oklahoma circuit. The 4-year-old mare owned by the Lepic-Morgan Partnership has finished in the top three in 22 of 25 career starts and earned $549,423, more than three times the total earnings of her competitors.

This spring at Remington Park, Spit Curl Diva won four consecutive races before finishing a close third in the Juno’s Request Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares as the 7-10 favorite. The Jody Brown trainee’s four wins included triumphs as the favorite in the Bob Moore Stakes (G2) and the Decketta Handicap (G3).

The bulk of Spit Curl Diva’s career earnings came as a juvenile when she won the Blue Ribbon Futurity (G2), the Speedhorse Gold Cup Futurity (RG1) and was second in the Remington Park and the Oklahoma futurities (both G2).

Corona For You (Corona For Me-My First Twist by First Down Dash) challenges Spit Curl Diva after winning at the $20,000 claiming level and finishing second in the Dash For Speed Handicap in her two most recent starts. She lost a head-bobbing photo in Arapahoe Park’s Dash For Speed Stakes as the 5-2 favorite.

In the Adequan Arapahoe Park Derby Challenge, Hugo Sierra’s homebred Seis Star Glitter (Tres Seis-The Glitter by Fishers Dash) looks to secure her first stakes win after finishing second in the 2009 Rocky Mountain Futurity. She returned from a winter layoff to show her class with a hard-fought neck win in her Adequan Arapahoe Park Derby Challenge trial. Her time of :19.787 was the quickest time from the two trials.

James Marquez’s Valiant Feature (Feature Mr Jess-Val Lee Kay by Dashing Val) won the other trial by a head as the 2-1 favorite. He was timed in :19.870 for 400 yards.

The J.J. Gonzales II-trained gelding won his maiden in February at Sunland Park with a fast :17.132 time for 350 yards.

Richard and Genevieve Herrman’s Patriots Glory (Game Patriot-Daisy N Eye by Mr Eye Opener) could be a factor after his upset win over Colorado-breds in the Lucille Rowe Derby two starts ago. He was second behind Seis Star Glitter in their trial as the 19-10 favorite for trainer Michel-Valverde Hipolito.

Fans can watch live racing at Arapahoe Park and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visitwww.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 14, 2010 – Last week’s Rainbow Futurity trials left no doubt as to who is the fastest juvenile in the land as American Runaway sped to the top clocking for the Grade 1 classic. The trial victory also solidified his place as the unanimous No. 1-ranked 2-year-old in the latest AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 2-year-olds. Meanwhile, reigning AQHA Racing American Quarter Horse World Champion Freaky remained the unanimous No. 1 among pollsters in the balloting for 3-year-olds and older.

The Rainbow Futurity final will have a marked impact on the upcoming 2-year-old poll as fellow qualifier Llano Teller rose three spots this week to No. 2. The No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown at Ruidoso is set for Sunday, July 25.

The poll for older horses welcomed 2008 World Champion Stolis Winner, who jumped back in the mix at No. 6 this week. He won last weekend’s Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge Championship at Sam Houston Race Park, pushing his earnings to $2,097,731, just short of Refrigerator’s all-time earnings record of $2,126,309.

Another All American Futurity winner –last year’s heroine Runnning Brook Gal– also returned to the poll this week at No. 10, just in time for her return to the races this Friday at Ruidoso Downs.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.     AMERICAN RUNAWAY (90)
2.     LLANO TELLER (76)
3.     GIVENITAROYALEFFORT (75)
4.     WEST COAST HAWK (61)
5.     FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (54)
6.     A SNOWY CARTEL (34)
7.     NO DICE SPECIAL (25)
8.     SIXES LIASION (24)
9.     KNUCKLES O TOOLE (19)
10.   TREASON (10)
 
Big Time Cat (9), Freighttrain B (8), Painted Sable (8), Bodacious Dash (7), All N The Jeans (6), WR Carver (4), First Painted Sign (4), MCM Dashmaster (4), Endless Ocean (3), Streak Of Sixes (3), BV Never Let Go (2)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.     FREAKY (90)
2.     JESS YOU AND I (78)
3.     DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (69)
4.     HEADTURNER (54)
5.     EASY DASHIN SIXES (39)
6.     STOLIS WINNER (31)
7.     STREAKIN DOWN (30)
8.     RYLEES BOY (26)
9.     SEPARATE BET (8)
10.   RUNNNING BROOK GAL (6)

Dylans Dandy (6), Stylish Jess BR (3), Zupers Quick Dash (2), Jumpn Beduino (2), Gone To The Mountain (2), Chivalry Sr (1), Love Samba (1)

Find complete poll results each week at www.aqharacing.com and www.horseplayernow.com.

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)

Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)

Tom Dawson (network television producer)

Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)

Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)

Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)

Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 14, 2010 – The betting window for the inaugural All American Future Wager presented by AQHA will be open Thursday, July 15 though Sunday, July 18.

The All American Future Wager gives players the chance to purchase a win bet for the September 6 All American Futurity presented by Sentient Jet (G1) on one of 23 selected 2-year-olds or the field.

The field bet is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. The favored horse is American Runaway (Ocean Runaway-Allamericandreamgirl by Strawfly Special) at 5-2, the current leader on the AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll of 2-year-olds. The Paul Jones–trained colt won the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) on June 13, and so is the latest contender for the $4 million All American Triple Crown Bonus.  American Runaway is owned by Sammy and Johnny Martinez and Bobby D. Cox.

A panel of professional American Quarter Horse handicappers compiled the ballot of 23 horses. The complete list of entries and their past performances are available free of charge at www.AAFutureWager.com or can be downloaded directly.

The wager will be accepted by tracks in Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming, plus TVG, Xpressbet, The Racing Channel and Las Vegas Dissemination.  A detailed list of participating outlets is available at www.AAFutureWager.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 8, 2010 – The Jerry Windham-bred fastest-qualifier Easy Dashin Sixes and world champion Stolis Winner, also bred by Windham, chasing the all-time earnings record head the $106,290 Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park Saturday night.

Also on the Saturday card is the $33,345 Merial Sam Hoston Distaff Challenge (G3) and the $20,925 Red Cell Sam Houston Distance Challenge.

Jesus Huitron’s Easy Dashin Sixes (Streakin Sixes-East Dashin Flo by Dash For Cash) has won two stakes this year and set the fastest-qualifying time to the Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge. The Eusevio Huitron-trained Easy Dashin Sixes proved best in his trial by more than 1 length, with a :21.632 time for the 440 yards.

The defending winner of the Bank of America Texas Challenge, Easy Dashin Sixes has wins this year in the Leo Stakes (G1) over Separate Bet and Frankie Shoots, and a win in the Streakin La Jolla Stakes over WRS Special Shoe.

The consistent 5-year-old gelding has 11 wins from 21 starts, all in stakes or trials and has earned $380,108.

Windham’s homebred Stolis Winner (Stoli-Veva Jean by Runaway Winner) has banked $2,019,967, just $77,472 short of Refrigerator’s all-time mark. The Bank of America Sam Houston Challenge winner adds $48,893 to their bankroll.

The Heath Taylor-trained Stolis Winner earned the bulk of his earnings as a juvenile when he was named the 2008 world champion after finishing first in the $2 million All American Futurity (G1) and the $625,000 Rainbow Futurity.

The strapping gelding returned last year to finish second in the Dash For Cash Derby (G1) and qualify for the All American Derby.

Stolis Winner returned from a six-month layoff to finish a close second in his Bank of America  Challenge trial with the fifth-fastest qualifying time of :21.923.

Sunset Well Services Inc.’s Double Chiseled (SC Chiseled In Stone-Specially Double by Special Task) was second behind Easy Dashin Sixes in their trial with the second-fastest qualifying mark of :21.814. The 4-year-old gelding from the Albert Franco barn has finished in the top-two finishers in seven of 12 starts with qualifications to the Texas Class Futurity (G1) and the Dash For Cash Futurity (G1).

In the Merial Sam Hoston Distaff Challenge, Kathleen Matey’s homebred Wowzer Won (Streakin Sixes-Four Oh Won Kay by Caylx) brings in fastest-qualifier honors.

The Judd Kearl-trained Wowzer Won lived up to expectations when she won her Merial Sam Houston Distaff Challenge trial by a neck as the 17-10 favorite. The 5-year-old mare covered the 400 yards in :19.884 for her second win from four 2010 starts.

Wowzer Won impressed when she won the $75,000 Hialeah Invitational Championship over males on February 2. She raced the 440 yards in :21.38 to win by three-quarters of a length.

Gary and Patricia Peterson’s Coeur D Alene (Stoli-Eye Opening Special by Mr Eye Opener) tries to reverse her fortunes against Wowzer Won in the Merial Sam Houston Distaff Challenge.

Coeur D Alene held the lead in their Merial Sam Houston Distaff Challenge trial before giving way and settling for second place. Her time of :19.915 was the second-fastest time from the two trials.

In the Red Cell Sam Houston Distance Challenge (G3), the 9-year-old Blue Ribbon Dash (First Place Dash-Wars April Delight by Wars Chicdelight) makes his 52nd career start and is in sharp form for trainer Kie Mushinski.

Donna Mushinski’s Blue Ribbon Dash comes off an excellent performance at Sam Houston Race Park when he nearly won the Governors Cup Marathon at 8-1 odds. He set the pace in the 870-yard stakes before being caught at the wire to be defeated by a head.

A year ago, he drew out in the stretch to take the Red Cell Texas Distance Challenge by 1 3/4 lengths.

The veteran stakes campaigner has 10 wins, 10 seconds and 14 thirds in his 51 starts.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, July 7, 2010 – On the eve of Thursday’s Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity trials, American Runaway remained the unanimous No. 1-ranked runner in the latest AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 2-year-olds, released today. The son of Ocean Runaway is one of three currently ranked horses who are entered in the Rainbow Futurity trials, joining this week’s No. 9 Knuckles O Toole and No. 10 Treason.

This week’s big mover in the 2-year-old poll is No. 8 Sixes Liaison, who registered his third win in as many starts when capturing the Grade 1 Sam Houston Futurity last weekend and surviving a long steward’s inquiry and objection.

As for the 3-year-olds and older, there were no changes among the nation’s top runners this week as No. 1-ranked Freaky continued to be a unanimous choice. In close balloting at the bottom of the top-10, One Diamond Kitty worked his way back in at No. 9 this week.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.    AMERICAN RUNAWAY (90)
2.    GIVINITAROYALEFFORT (77)
3.    WEST COAST HAWK (61)
4.    FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (56)
5.    LLANO TELLER (55)
6.    A SNOWY CARTEL (46)
7.    NO DICE SPECIAL (27)
8.    SIXES LIAISON (26)
9.    KNUCKLES O TOOLE (17)
10.    TREASON (12)
 
Bigtime Cat (5), Freighttrain B (4), Painted Sable (4), Streak Of Sixes (3), Bodacious Dash (3), All N The Jeans (3), W R Carver (2), First Painted Sign (2), Endless Ocean (2), Flying Fig (1), BV Never Let Go (1)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.    FREAKY (90)
2.    JESS YOU AND I (77)
3.    DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (70)
4.    HEADTURNER (47)
5.    EASY DASHIN SIXES (43)
6.    BLUES MAN TOO (36)
7.    STREAKIN DOWN (30)
8.    RYLEES BOY (27)
9.    ONE DIAMOND KITTY (14)
10.    SEPARATE BET (13)

Runnning Brook Gal (12), A Streakinson (8), Dylans Dandy (7), An Ocean Rocket (4), Illegal Memories (4), Stylish Jess BR (3), Hez Our Rock (2), Jumpn Beduino (2), Fantastic Corona Jr (2), Chivalry SR (1), Gone To The Mountain (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)

Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)

Tom Dawson (network television producer)

Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)

Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)

Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)

Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 30, 2010 – Few significant changes occurred this past week in the latest AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national polls for 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds and older. Pollsters moved juvenile First Down Illusion up one spot from No. 5 to No. 4, still in pursuit of unanimous No. 1 American Runaway. As for the older horses, reigning world champion Freaky remained the unanimous No. 1-ranked runner, as he has all season.

Friday night’s Sam Houston Futurity (G1) and Derby (G2) kick off a holiday weekend loaded with major stakes races that will have a solid impact on the national polls in the coming week. Other notable races on the Independence Day weekend menu include the Firecracker Futurity (G2) and Derby from Delta Downs, as well as the Vandy's Flash Handicap (G3) from Los Alamitos.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS
 

1. AMERICAN RUNAWAY (90)
2. GIVINITAROYALEFFORT (74)
3. WEST COAST HAWK (63)
4. FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (59)
5. LLANO TELLER (52)
6. A SNOWY CARTEL (38)
7. NO DICE SPECIAL (26)
8. KNUCKLES O TOOLE (19)
9. STREAK OF SIXES (14)
10. FREIGHTTRAIN B (9)

 
Flying Fig (8), Treason (7), Painted Sable (4), First Painted Sign (3), Bodacious Dash (3), WR Carver (2), Endless Ocean (2), Pushing Dazies (2), Make Mine Zoom (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR OLDS & UP
 

1. FREAKY (90)
2. JESS YOU AND I (76)
3. DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (62)
4. HEADTURNER (49)
5. EASY DASHIN SIXES (45)
6. BLUES MAN TOO (39)
7. STREAKIN DOWN (33)
8. RYLEES BOY (28)
9. RUNNNING BROOK GAL (14)
10. SEPARATE BET (13)

One Diamond Kitty (12), Dylans Dandy (9), A Streakinson (9), Illegal Memories (4), Hez Our Rock (4), Stylish Jess BR (3), Fantastic Corona Jr (2), Jumpn Beduino (2), Gone To The Mountain (1)

The nine voters are:
Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 24, 2010 – Michael Pohl’s Send The Candy Wagon should be favored to step up and score her first stakes win when she brings her two-for-two record into the $150,000 Oklahoma Horsemen’s Association Futurity (RG2) at 350 yards Friday at Fair Meadows in Tulsa.

Also on the program, a wide-open field competes over 350 yards in the $100,000 Oklahoma Horseman’s Association Derby.

The Stacy Charette-Hill-trained Send The Candy Wagon (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Send Me The Candy by Leaving Memories) showed she could be the filly to beat in the OHA Futurity after dominating her trial by 1½ lengths in :17.509, the quickest time from six 350-yard trials.

Send The Candy Wagon flashed futurity potential when she broke her maiden at first asking at Remington Park on April 22. She pulled away to handily win by three-quarters of a length with a :15.75 time for 300 yards.

Robert Jordan’s Mondays Lucky Lady (Desirio-Monday Dash by Dashing Cleat) also brings an unbeaten record from two starts into the OHA Futurity. The Robert Dunkle Jr.-trained filly took a maiden race at Remington Park by half a length and then finished strongly to win her OHA Futurity trial by three-quarters in :17.681.

Danny Caldwell’s Dont Look Ethel (Streak And Dash-Thelastdanceismine by Marthas Six Moons) prevailed by a head in her OHA Futurity trial with the second-fastest time of :17.647. She has two wins and a place from three starts for trainer Matt Whitekiller.

In the OHA Derby, James Alona’s The Dashing Attitude (Streak And Dash-Miss Desert Chrome by The Desert Jewel) gained her first win in a year in her trial. She prevailed by a neck in the last of three trials with the best qualifying time of :17.549.

Second-fastest qualifier Easy Blazen Alibi (Pals Real Alibi-Pals Blazen Kat by Blazen Bryan) has one win from five outs while third-fastest qualifier Too Tiny To Quit (Corona Cartel-Bonnie Streakin by Streakin La Jolla) has reached the winner’s circle three times from 10 races.

Fans can watch live racing at Fair Meadows and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 23, 2010 – First Down Illusion parlayed his 29-1 upset victory in last Saturday’s Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity into a No. 5 national ranking in the latest AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 2-year-olds, released today. His rapid rise was the biggest change to the poll this week, in which the top four juveniles – led by unanimous No. 1 American Runaway – retained their previous perches.

As for the older horses, Freaky remains the unanimous No. 1-ranked horse in the land, while Blues Man Too made a major move to No. 6. Blues Man Too earned a coveted spot in the year-end Champion of Champions (G1) by upsetting last Friday night’s Grade 1 Vessels Maturity at 14-1 odds. His 400-yard time of :19.344 was the second-fastest ever for the Vessels Maturity at this distance, trailing only Freaky’s record time of :19.156 set last year.

The coming weekend should be quiet in terms of the national rankings, but that will change over the Fourth of July holiday weekend as several major graded stakes races for the 2-year-olds and older horses will be on the menu.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
         1.         AMERICAN RUNAWAY (90)
         2.         GIVINITAROYALEFFORT (73)
         3.         WEST COAST HAWK (63)
         4.         LLANO TELLER (60)
         5.         FIRST DOWN ILLUSION (57)
         6.         A SNOWY CARTEL (34)
         7.         NO DICE SPECIAL (30)
         8.         KNUCKLES O TOOLE (21)
         9.         STREAK OF SIXES (20)
         10.       TREASON (16)
 
Flying Fig (11), Painted Sable (4), Freighttrain B (4), Bodacious Dash (3), All N The Jeans (3), First Painted Sign (3), Leave The Scene (2), WR Carver (2), Pushing Dazies (2), Endless Ocean (2), Royally Sandra (1), Make Mine Zoom (1)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
         1.         FREAKY (90)
         2.         JESS YOU AND I (76)
         3.         DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (62)
         4.         HEADTURNER (49)
         5.         EASY DASHIN SIXES (45)
         6.         BLUES MAN TOO (39)
         7.         STREAKIN DOWN (33)
         8.         RYLEES BOY (28)
         9.         RUNNNING BROOK GAL (14)
         10.       SEPARATE BET (13)
 
One Diamond Kitty (12), Dylans Dandy (9), A Streakinson (9), Illegal Memories (4), Hez Our Rock (4), Stylish Jess BR (3), Fantastic Corona Jr (2), Jumpn Beduino (2), Gone To The Mountain (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)

Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)

Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)

Tom Dawson (network television producer)

Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)

Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)

Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)

Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)

Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Find complete poll results each week at www.aqharacing.com and www.horseplayernow.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 22, 2010 – The American Quarter Horse Association and Ruidoso Downs have debuted a new website at www.AAFutureWager.com aimed at providing horseplayers detailed information on the inaugural All American Future Wager and the top 25 2-year-old Quarter Horses in the nation. The website also provides an historic glimpse at the $2-million All American Futurity (G1).

In anticipation of the July 15-18 Future Wager pool period, a poll of American Quarter Horse handicappers and players has produced a list of the top 25 horses that are likely to contend for a win in the All American Futurity on September 6. (While every horse on the poll may not yet be entered to run in the All American Futurity trials, all will be eligible to make late payment.) AAFutureWager.com provides past performances and other details for each horse named in the poll.

“AAFutureWager.com gives horseplayers an inside look at the history of the All American Futurity and Ruidoso Downs. Plus, the website contains current information and past performances for the best 2-year-old Quarter Horses in the country with detailed Quarter Horse racing handicapping lessons,” remarked Rachel Weber, Director of Marketing for Ruidoso Downs.

Articles by renowned track announcer and handicapper Ed Burgart, horseplayer and handicapping author Jeremy Plonk and Quarter Horse expert Denis Blake provide useful insight to Quarter Horse handicapping. The Equibase Speed figure is explained in detail.

The website also includes a list of locations and account wagering companies where players can make their All American Future wagers from July 15-18. Poll results, past performances and horse bios will be regularly updated as the pool date draws near.

For more information about the All American Future Wager, contact Rachel Webber, Ruidoso Downs Marketing or Ty Wyant, Ruidoso Downs Publicity at (575) 378-4431.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 18, 2010 – Fastest-qualifier The Essentials meets three horses from the Wes Giles barn in the 350-yard Four Corners Futurity (G3) at SunRay Park on June 19.

Trained by 2009 Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Chip Woolley, The Essentials (Special Leader-Fashionismyattitude by Eyesa Special) won his maiden in his third career start when he rallied to defeat second-fastest qualifier W R Carver (Wave Carver-La Cassia by Lucky Aces N Eights) by a nose.

The Essentials was timed in :17.409 for the 350 yards while WR Carver was timed in :17.418.

Rose Webb’s W R Carver – one of the three Giles-trained finalists – is a maiden with three second-place finishes in his latest three starts. He came up a head short in the $49,000 West Texas Juvenile at Sunland Park on April 17.

Joining W R Carver from the Giles barn is Fishin Partner (Fishers Dash-BCR Really A Lou Lou by For Really (TB)) and Reabrookstone (Brookstone Bay-The Rainbow Rea by Dash Ta Fame).

Owned by John and Chris McIntyre with Jill Giles, Fishin Partner stepped forward in her Four Corners trial after finishing fourth in her only other start. She pulled away from her rivals and recorded the third-fastest qualifying time of :17.426.

Reabrookstone, a homebred owned by Dennis Jensen, had a tough trip in her career debut when she faced Ruidoso Futurity finalist Unanchored, but has now won her latest two starts. She was a neck winner of a SunRay Park maiden race and then was a three-quarter-length winner of her Four Corners trial. She raced to the fourth-fastest time of :17.488.

Fans can watch live racing at SunRay Park and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video or by taking advantage of a free trial weekend June 18-20. There is no obligation, and no credit card is needed to take advantage of the free weekend. Guests and subscribers are encouraged to try the more full-featured beta-test version of Q-Racing Video after logging in. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 17, 2010 – Enjoy a free preview of live American Quarter Horse racing across the country through Q-Racing Video, www.aqharacing.com/racingstream. From 8 a.m. Friday, June 18 through June 20, Q-Racing Video will be free and features many of the top racing American Quarter Horses competing at tracks across North America.

Q-Racing Video has significantly increased its functionality and sports a more user-friendly interface. The beta-test version of Q-Racing video includes complete entries for each race, handicapping and wagering tutorials, plus the ability to search the video archives by track, date or horse. The final version is expected to include live chat with professional handicappers.

Q-Racing Video will be humming this weekend with action-packed Quarter Horse races from Arapahoe Park, Canterbury Park, Delta Downs, Fair Meadows at Tulsa, Ruidoso Downs, Sam Houston Race Park, SunRay Park and Yavapai Downs, including the following high-profile stakes races and trials:

Friday, June 18

Sam Houston Futurity (G1) trials – Sam Houston Race Park

Saturday, June 19

Cherry Creek Futurity (RG3) – Arapahoe Park

Miss Polly Classic (G3) – Delta Downs
Golden Driller Stakes (G3) – Fair Meadows at Tulsa

Fair Meadows Juvenile Stakes – Fair Meadows at Tulsa

Sam Houston Derby (G2) trials – Sam Houston Race Park
Four Corners Futurity (G3) – SunRay Park

Sunday, June 20
Lucille Rowe Derby (R) – Arapahoe Park

Minnesota Stallion Breeders’ Futurity – Canterbury Park
Mountain Top Futurity – Ruidoso Downs

Guests who wish to view Q-Racing Video free of charge this weekend will only need to provide a valid e-mail address at login. All users may then view the beta site by clicking a link on the current Q-Racing Video page.

Sponsored by The American Quarter Horse Journal and the Bank of America Racing Challenge, this new service shows actual live video from the racetracks, including post parade and racing action. It feels like you’re watching a monitor in the clubhouse of your favorite track, but the action is right on your computer from anywhere there’s Internet access. To check out the races, visit www.aqha.com/racingstream.

If you like what you see during the free preview, you can subscribe to the service and watch live American Quarter Horse racing in one place. Enjoy the subscription service for as little as $14.95 per month with a one-year agreement.

The race video is only available when tracks are running, but past races are available for review in the archive section. A schedule is available on the Web site and includes race days and post times for each track. Only tracks that are currently conducting an American Quarter Horse meet are included on the menu. The lineup will change throughout the year as tracks open and close their meets.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 17, 2010 – Legendary American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame trainer Blane Schvaneveldt chases his seventh win in the Ed Burke Futurity (G1), the first $1 million race of the season at Los Alamitos, as he sends out fastest-qualifier Leave The Scene in the $1,064,000 finale Saturday night.

The 12 trials to the Ed Burke Futurity were punctuated by fast times. The 10th-fastest qualifier Star In The East raced to a superb :17.429 time for the 350 yards. Compared to the qualifying times of the 2009 Ed Burke Futurity, only fastest-qualifier LD Fire would have reached the finals of Saturday’s running.

Ron and Ronnie Keller’s Leave The Scene (Walk Thru Fire-Departing by Raise A Secret) was the fastest of the fast in the Ed Burke trials at :17.218, winning by three-quarters of a length in his third career start.

Leave The Scene, a $19,200 purchase at the 2009 Los Alamitos Equine Sale, won his career debut by a length and then was second in his Kindergarten Futurity (G1) trial. He was tied for the 10th-fastest qualifying time to the Kindergarten and lost the shake for the final qualifying spot.

All N The Jeans, Star In The East and Personal Glory each qualified for the Kindergarten and are back in the Ed Burke finals.

Bobby Cox’s homebred All N The Jeans (Corona Cartel-All About Ease by First Down Dash) has won three of her four starts with a third-place finish in the Kindergarten. The Jaime Gomez-trained miss returned from the Kindergarten to win her Ed Burke trial by 1¼ lengths. She recorded the eighth-fastest qualifying mark of :17.369.

Balgo Racing Team’s Star In The East (Corona Cartel-Mongoose Jet Eye by Mr Eye Opener) finished fourth in the Kindergarten and also came back to win her Ed Burke trial. She raced to her second win from four starts with the 10th-fastest time of :17.429.

Dutch Masters III’s Personal Glory (Walk Thru Fire-Suzy Cartel by Corona Cartel) was a troubled eighth-place finisher in the Kindergarten and rebounded with a one-length win in her Ed Burke trial. The Gomez-trained filly checked in with the fourth-fastest time of :17.277.

The Miguel Rodriguez-owned and -trained More Than You Know (Azyoucansee-A Tiny But More by Strawfly Special) won his second race for two starts with a half-length Ed Burke trial win in a sharp :17.262, the second-fastest qualifying mark. He impressed in his career debut when he finished strongly to win by a neck with a :15.373 time for the 300 yards.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 16, 2010 – Let there be no doubt who tops the latest AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national polls, as last weekend’s Ruidoso Futurity winner American Runaway and reigning World Champion Freaky were unanimous top choices in their respective polls. Both garnered all nine first-place votes among the national panel of AQHA racing experts.

American Runaway romped to a 1¾-length win in the Ruidoso Futurity (G1), erasing the memories of his narrow nose defeat in the Remington Park Futurity (G1) earlier this spring. In addition to American Runaway’s tightening of the top perch among 2-year-olds, West Coast Hawk moves up one slot to No. 3. The week’s other mover was No. 8-ranked Treason, runner-up in the Ruidoso Futurity.

Among the older horses, Double Down Special raced from No. 9 last week to No. 3 this week behind a victory in the Ruidoso Derby (G1). Already the world record-holder at 400 yards, Double Down Special has now won four straight.

This weekend’s races at Los Alamitos could have a major impact on next week’s rankings, as the Ed Burke Million Futurity (G1) and Vessels Maturity (G1) challenge runners in both polling divisions.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.              AMERICAN RUNAWAY (90)
2.              GIVEINITAROYALEFFORT (78)
3.              WEST COAST HAWK (63)
4.              LLANO TELLER (61)
5.              A SNOWY CARTEL (50)
6.              NO DICE SPECIAL (36)
7.              KNUCKLES O TOOLE (30)
8.              TREASON (27)
9.              LEAVE THE SCENE (16)
10.            STREAK OF SIXES (8)
 
Giorgino (7), Freighttrain B (7), First Painted Sign (5), Bodacious Dash (4), Painted Sable (4), Royally Sandra (4), Endless Ocean (3), Make Mine Zoom (2)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
 
1.              FREAKY (90)
2.              JESS YOU AND I (79)
3.              DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (56)
4.              HEADTURNER (50)
5.              EASY DASHIN SIXES (49)
6.              RYLEES BOY (42)
7.              STREAKIN DOWN (29)
8.              RUNNNING BROOK GAL (24)
9.              SEPARATE BET (19)
10.            DYLANS DANDY (15)
 
One Diamond Kitty (12), Divide The Cash (7), Illegal Memories (5), A Streakinson (4), Hez Our Rock (3), Jumpn Beduino (3), Fantastic Corona Jr (2), Gone To The Mountain (1), Swingin Daddyo (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 15, 2010 – The American Quarter Horse Association is proud to announce the formation of a new program to promote and educate the public about American Quarter Horse racing at racetracks in North America. The Q-Racing Aces, which debut in June 2010, is a group of American Quarter Horse know-it-alls who will actively promote the excitement of “America’s Fastest Athletes” at about 35 major racing events this year.

The Q-Racing Aces are individuals who have been involved in American Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing as handicappers, racing writers and publicists. The group, consisting of Tom Dawson, Martha Claussen, Jennifer Perkins and others were selected as representatives by AQHA. The major goals of the Q-Racing Aces program are to promote the sport, provide fan education services and help to develop new fan bases.

“The idea of this program originated last November at Hialeah Park,” said AQHA Executive Director of Racing Trey Buck. “We were thrilled with opening day of the American Quarter Horse meet, which attracted 27,000 fans, but realized very quickly that they were more familiar with Thoroughbred racing and did not feel as comfortable handicapping American Quarter Horse racing. Our hope is that this very talented group of ‘aces’ can educate Thoroughbred fans, casual fans that attend the races two or three times a year and create a lasting first impression with first timers.”

The Q-Racing Aces will visit a number of racetracks across the country and offer many educational opportunities and promotions, free of charge. These include handicapping seminars, paddock previews, free racing handouts and tip sheets, giveaway items, betting vouchers and one-on-one handicapping tips to racing fans and groups attending the races. Live video streaming and online chats will also be offered for the benefit of simulcast fans.

“Having worked at a racetrack for over a decade, I know how intimidating handicapping horses can be at first,” said Martha Claussen, who is serving as coordinator for the Q-Racing Aces. “But there is nothing more thrilling than teaching someone the basics and watching them cheer on their first winner. Our goal will be to keep it simple, but make sure everyone we interact with understands the unbridled excitement of the sport of American Quarter Horse racing.”

Efforts are underway to schedule visits by the Q-Racing Aces to the following racetracks:

•    Ruidoso Downs – New Mexico
•    Fair Meadows  at Tulsa – Oklahoma
•    Sandy Downs – Rigby, Idaho
•    Sam Houston Race Park – Houston
•    Delta Downs – Vinton, Louisiana
•    Indiana Downs – Shelbyville, Indiana
•    Arapahoe Park – Aurora, Colorado
•    Canterbury Park – Shakopee, Minnesota
•    Prairie Meadows – Altoona, Iowa
•    Elko County Fair  – Elko, Nevada

For more information on the Q-Racing Aces, contact Trey Buck at (806) 376-4888 or Martha Claussen at (281) 556-5461.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 4, 2010 – Trainer Eusevio Huitron is primed for the TQHA Futurity (RG2) and TQHA Derby (RG3) with four horses in the futurity – topped by fastest-qualifier Executive Precision – plus the two fastest qualifiers for the Derby.

TQHA Futurity (RG2)

The 350-yard Futurity and the 400-yard Derby will be held Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

Executive Precision (Executive Menace-Miss Ryon Dash by Dash For Destiny) has won three of his five starts with a third-place run in the Manor Downs Futurity (G3) two starts ago. He was bumped at the start, fought back into contention and settled for third at 5-2 odds.

The A.O. Vera Jr.-owned colt rebounded from that defeat, rolling to a nearly 2-length victory in his TQHA Futurity trial. He was timed at :17.649 for the 350 yards while taking the win as the 3-5 favorite.

Huitron also saddles fifth-fastest qualifier Gray Darlin Dash (Royal Quick Dash-Apollos Darlin by Apollo (TB)), seventh-fastest qualifier Stylize (Corona For Me-Style With Substance by Royal Quick Dash) and 10th-fastest qualifier Trampstamp (Shazoom-Check The Account by Separatist).

The Jorge Haddad-owned, -bred and -trained Giorgino (Apollo (TB)-Las Alamitos by First Down Dash) will be dangerous in the TQHA Futurity after winning the John Deere East Juvenile Challenge (G3) and dominating his TQHA Futurity trial. He showed his gameness with a late-running head win in the John Deere East Juvenile Challenge. He then pulled away to win his TQHA Futurity by 3 lengths with the third-fastest time of :17.979.

TQHA Derby (RG3)

In the TQHA Derby, Huitron sends out fastest-qualifier Ocean Fun (Ocean Runaway-Runaway Fun by Runaway Winner) and second-fastest qualifier Without Prejudice (Corona For Me-Euphoric by Ronas Ryon).

Ocean Fun, owned by Espinoza Stone Inc., has third-place finishes in the 2009 Manor Downs Futurity (G1) and this year’s Manor Downs Derby (G3). The gelding scored his second win from 13 starts when he won his TQHA Derby trial by three-quarters of a length in :20.209 for 400 yards, the fastest time from five trials.

Oscar Montemayor’s Without Prejudice came off an allowance win to take his TQHA Derby trial by three-quarters of a length in :20.226.

Like Ocean Fun, Ocean Runaway is the sire of third-fastest qualifier Nancys Ocean and fourth-fastest qualifier Ms Riptide.

Fans can watch live racing at Sam Houston Race Park and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, June 2, 2010 – Ruidoso Futurity fastest-qualifier American Runaway rocketed past his foes in New Mexico and ran all the way to No. 1 in this week’s AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 2-year-olds. The trial performance from the Paul Jones trainee trumped the final for the $1 million Heritage Place Futurity (G1) at Remington Park in the pollsters’ eyes. Heritage Place Futurity third-place finisher Llano Teller dropped to No. 2 this week after holding the top spot, while Heritage Place Futurity upset winner Givinitaroyaleffort went from a little-known maiden to No. 4 in the rankings. Knuckles O’Toole moved into the rankings at No. 7 following his sharp runner-up try in Oklahoma City, while fourth-place finisher Freighttrain B held on at No. 10 after a troubled trip.

As for the nation’s new No. 1, American Runaway was runner-up earlier this spring in the Remington Park Futurity (G1), beaten by a nose by Llano Teller. She will get a chance to notch her first stakes win when the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity final takes place June 13. Other ranked 2-year-olds in the Ruidoso Futurity final field include No. 6 No Dice Special and No. 8 Royally Sandra.

Freaky remains the unanimous No. 1 in the national polling for 3-year-olds and older, though No. 2-ranked Jess You And I picked up extra support this week after a strong victory in the Remington Park Championship (G1), defeating fellow ranked runners Easy Dashin Sixes and Separate Bet among others. The week’s big mover in the older horse division was Ruidoso Derby (G1) fastest qualifier Double Down Special, whose third consecutive win earned him the No. 9 spot in this week’s poll.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
            1.            AMERICAN RUNAWAY (75)
            2.            LLANO TELLER (71)
            3.            WEST COAST HAWK (71)
            4.            GIVINITAROYALEFFORT (64)
            5.            A SNOWY CARTEL (48)
            6.            NO DICE SPECIAL (37)
            7.            KNUCKLES O TOOLE (24)
            8.            ROYALLY SANDRA (17)
            9.            FIRST CLASS LACY B (15)
            10.          FREIGHTTRAIN B (15)
 
Streak Of Sixes (12), Flying Fig (10), Pushing Dazies (7), Kool Cowboy (6), First Painted Sign (5), Painted Sable (5), Endless Ocean (4), Make Mine Zoom (3), Blues Girls Choice (2), WR Aces Fame (2), Shez Mighty Mighty (1), A Runaway Jess (1)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
            1.            FREAKY (90)
            2.            JESS YOU AND I (79)
            3.            HEADTURNER (57)
            4.            EASY DASHIN SIXES (52)
            5.            RYLEES BOY (39)
            6.            STREAKIN DOWN (33)
            7.            RUNNNING BROOK GAL (29)
            8.            SEPARATE BET (24)
            9.            DOUBLE DOWN SPECIAL (20)
            10.          DYLANS DANDY (16)
 
One Diamond Kitty (15), Illegal Memories (12), A Streakinson (7), Stylish Jess BR (6), Hez Our Rock (4), Jumpn Beduino (4), Fantastic Corona Jr (2), Mr Game (2), Stone E Motion (2), Gone To The Mountain (1), Fishin CR (1) 

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)

Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)

Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)

Tom Dawson (network television producer)

Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)

Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)

Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)

Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)

Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, May 27, 2010 – American Quarter Horse racing hits full stride this Memorial Day Weekend, and race fans can watch most of the action live through the free preview of Q-Racing Video. From 8 a.m. Friday, May 28 through Monday, May 31, Q-Racing Video will be free and feature many of the top racing American Quarter Horses competing at tracks across North America.
 
The free weekend will also include a sneak peek of the new beta version of Q-Racing Video. Take a test drive of the new and improved version of Q-Racing Video, which features a much higher degree of functionality and a more user-friendly interface.

Q-Racing Video will be humming this weekend with action-packed Quarter Horse races from Arapahoe Park, Canterbury Park, Delta Downs, Ruidoso Downs, Sam Houston Race Park, SunRay Park and Yavapai Downs, including the following high-profile stakes races and trials:

Friday, May 28
Ruidoso Futurity (G1) trials –­ Ruidoso Downs

Saturday, May 29
Animas Stakes - SunRay Park
Ruidoso Derby (G1) trials ­– Ruidoso Downs
Louisiana Breeders’ Derby (RG2) ­– Delta Downs
Louisiana Purchase –­ Delta Downs
Gerry Howard Inagural Handicap - Yavapai Downs

Sunday, May 30
New Mexico Breeders' Futurity (RG3) - SunRay Park
Robert Heubeck Memorial Stakes - Yavapai Downs

The beta test version of Q-Racing video includes complete entries for each race, handicapping and wagering tutorials plus the ability to search the video archives by track, date or horse. The final version is expected to include live chat with professional handicappers.
 
Guests who wish to view Q-Racing Video free of charge this weekend will only need to provide a valid e-mail address at login. All users may then view the beta site by clicking a link on the current Q-Racing Video page.

Sponsored by The American Quarter Horse Journal and the Bank of America Racing Challenge, this new service shows actual live video from the racetracks, including post parade and racing action. It feels like you’re watching a monitor in the club house of your favorite track, but the action is right on your computer from anywhere there’s Internet access. To check out the races, visit www.aqha.com/racingstream.

If you like what you see during the free preview, you can subscribe to the service and watch live American Quarter Horse racing in one place. Enjoy the subscription service for as little as $14.95 per month with a one-year agreement.

The race video is only available when tracks are running, but past races are available for review in the archive section. A schedule is available on the website and includes race days and post times for each track. Only tracks that are currently conducting an American Quarter Horse meet are included on the menu. The lineup will change throughout the year as tracks open and close their meets.
 

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

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Quarter Horses are known for explosive speed and are timed from the gate opening to the wire. All American winners routinely win in less than 22 seconds. In 2006, No Secrets Here won the race in an astonishing 20.886. 

Contact Rachel Weber, Ruidoso Downs Marketing or Ty Wyant, Ruidoso Downs Publicity at (575) 378-4431.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, May 20, 2010 – The Guadalupe Tristan-owned and -trained Hydrostatic will be tested when he defends his 2009 win in Saturday night's wide-open $78,930 Bank of America Delta Downs Challenge Championship (G3).

Hydrostatic (Hawkinson-Red Set Pat by Red (TB)) won last year’s Bank of America East Challenge Championship by more than a length; that victory culminated a four-race winning streak. He has been winless in five starts since then, but comes off two promising third-place efforts.

The 5-year-old gelding was a close third in the $27,000 City of Hialeah Stakes on December 28 and then overcame trouble in the gate to finish third in the $75,000 Hialeah Invitational Championship.

Tim Lange and Charlie Forbes’ Illegal Memories (Illegal Runaway-Good Ole Memories by Leaving Memories) is always dangerous on his best days. His talent is backed by wins in the 2007 Texas Classic Futurity (G1) and the 2009 Bank of America Oklahoma Challenge Championship (G1).

Illegal Memories, who now races for trainer Frank Cavazos, makes his first start since a ninth-place finish in the Refrigerator Handicap (G1) at Lone Star Park on October 3. He was beaten by more than 6 lengths at 10-1 odds.

Isidro Flores’ Xo Kate (Stoli-Streakin Kate by Streakin Six) takes on open stakes company in the Bank of America Delta Downs Challenge Championship after two wins and a second in her latest three starts while racing against female rivals. The Rudolofo Sanchez-trained mare won the Harrah’s Distaff (G3) at Louisiana Downs on January 23 and comes off a second-place finish in the Frances Carr Distaff (G3) after a troubled start.

The Jorge Haddad-owned and -trained sophomore The Louisiana Cartel (Corona Cartel-The Louisiana Girl by Louisiana Slew (TB)) tries older horses in just his third career start after winning his first two outs. Each of those wins came at Manor Downs, capped by a victory in a $54,100 maiden stakes.

Fans can watch live racing at Delta Downs and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, May 19, 2010 – West Coast Hawk, winner of Saturday’s Kindergarten Futurity (G1) at Los Alamitos, soared to No. 2 in the latest AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 2-year-olds. The Jose Flores trainee parlayed his 14-1 upset into national prominence, now trailing only Llano Teller in the early season rankings. Kindergarten Futurity fastest qualifier All N The Jeans, who mustered a third-place finish in the final, settled in at No. 9 in this week’s rankings, while Kindergarten runner-up Kool Cowboy checked in at No. 10.

The top-ranked Llano Teller will return to action May 29 in the $1 million Heritage Place Futurity (G1) finals. Meanwhile, trials for the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity are set for a day earlier – May 28 – and should have a profound impact on the juvenile picture.

As for the 3-year-old and older rankings, the unanimous choice continues to be Freaky, the reigning AQHA Racing World Champion of 2009. The older-horse division should see a major weekend of attention May 28-29 with trials for the Vessels Maturity at Los Alamitos as well as the final for the Grade 1 Remington Park Championship in Oklahoma City.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.    LLANO TELLER (85)
2.    WEST COAST HAWK (68)
3.    NO DICE SPECIAL (62)
4.    A SNOWY CARTEL (59)
5.    FIRST CLASS LACY B (49)
6.    AMERICAN RUNAWAY (36)
7.    STREAK OF SIXES (32)
8.    FREIGHTTRAIN B (27)
9.    ALL N THE JEANS (13)
10.  KOOL COWBOY (10)
 
Painted Sable (9), First Painted Sign (9), Pushing Dazies (9), Knuckles O Toole (9), Endless Ocean (4), Make Mine Zoom (3), PYC Takes All (2), Blues Girls Choice (2), Dahlberg (1), Awe Contraire (1), Coronas Fast Prize (1)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.    FREAKY (90)
2.    JESS YOU AND I (73)
3.    EASY DASHIN SIXES (70)
4.    HEADTURNER (57)
5.    SEPARATE BET (49)
6.    RYLEES BOY (42)
7.    RUNNNING BROOK GAL (34)
8.    JUMPN BEDUINO (28)
9.    STYLISH JESS BR (14)
10.  SPIT CURL DIVA (11)
 
Dylans Dandy (9), Diamond For Jess (5), Hez Our Rock (4), Double Down Special (4), Ragazzo (3), JA Golsablazin (1), Stone E Motion (1), Gone To The Mountain (1), Time For A Cigar (1)   

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Find complete poll results each week at www.aqharacing.com and http://www.horseplayernow.com.

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

The American Quarter Horse Journal, May 13, 2010 – Trainer Eusevio Huitron has a strong hand in the $80,000 John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) as his fastest-qualifier Awe Contraire leads three horses from his barn Saturday night at Sam Houston Race Park.

Oscar Montemayor’s Awe Contraire (Corona Cartel-Special Crys by Special Effort) is stakes-tested and seasoned with four starts. The fifth-place finisher in the Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity comes off the most impressive performance of her career. She dominated her trial by 1¾ lengths, and her time of :17.922 for 350 yards topped the qualifiers.

Awe Contraire scored her only other career win when she won her Harrah’s trial in her first start.

Huitron’s other John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge qualifiers are Jesus Huitron’s Unknown Source (Feature Mr Jess-Ladys A Special Star by Special Leader) and Intocable Snow (Snowbound (TB)-Katies Memories by Leaving Memories). Unknown Source raced to her first win in her John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge trial. Intocable Snow had a late-running second in her trial, her first start.

Richard Arizape’s A Regal Eye (A Regal Choice-Eye Can Flirt by Mr Eye Opener) narrowly won her John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge trial with the second-fastest time of :17.974. The Shawn Friesenhahn-trained filly won by a head at 18-1 odds over even-money favorite One N A Million (Ocean Runaway-Corona Cairina by Corona Cartel).

Arthur Deveraux’s One N A Million recorded the fourth-fastest qualifying time of :17.992.

Fans can watch live racing at Sam Houston and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, May 13, 2010 – Louisiana-bred girls and boys compete against their own sex when Dash N Cash Fortune tops the Laddie Futurity (RG2) and Clickiticket heads the Lassie Futurity (RG2) Saturday night at Delta Downs.

Arnold Trahan’s Dash N Cash Fortune (Dashs Slinky-Sheza Cash Fortune by Six Fortunes) moved up after finishing second in his career debut to win his Laddie trial by a length in :16.701 over 330 yards, the quickest time from 10 trials.

The Heath Taylor-trained gelding pulled away for the victory as the 7-10 favorite.

The Danny Eldridge-owned, -trained and -bred De Toast Devin (Toast To Dash-Bell Perry by Mr Jess Perry) could be dangerous in the Laddie after winning his career debut in the Laddie trials. The gelding showed promise when he battled for the lead and then prevailed by half a length with the second-fastest time of :16.795.

In the Lassie Futurity, Kris Locklear’s Clickiticket (Dashin Bye-Hottesticketintown by Jody O Toole) has the experience edge with three starts, including wins in her latest two. The Vann Haywood-trained filly won her maiden two starts ago, then won her Lassie trial by three-quarters of a length. Her time of :16.860 was the fastest time from 10 trials.

Terry Bell’s Jess Big Time (Bigtime Favorite-Jess Me Yall by Mr Jess Perry) raced to a game win in her trial when she prevailed by a neck in her first start. The Taylor-trained filly narrowly missed top-qualifier honors with a time of :16.865.

Fans can watch live racing at Delta Downs and most other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, May 12, 2010 –  Last weekend’s 18 trials for the $1 million Heritage Place Futurity at Remington Park had a marked impact at the top and bottom of the latest AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 2-year-olds. Despite dropping a trial decision, top-ranked Llano Teller held the No. 1 position this week while his conqueror Knuckles O Toole made his way into the poll at No. 10. Meanwhile, fastest Heritage Place qualifier Freighttrain B chugged all the way to No. 9 nationally off of an overwhelming 4½-length trial win.

The May 29 Heritage Place Futurity figures to have a major impact on the early season rankings as the road to the All American Futurity (G1) becomes clearer.

The action in Oklahoma City last weekend also had a profound impact on the national rankings for 3-year-olds and older. While superstar and reigning AQHA Racing World Champion Freaky remains the unanimous top choice, Bank of America Oklahoma Challenge Championship (G1) victor Jess You And I zoomed up the charts this week to No. 3 from the No. 6 spot one week ago.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.    LLANO TELLER (86)
2.    A SNOWY CARTEL (66)
3.    NO DICE SPECIAL (62)
4.    AMERICAN RUNAWAY (47)
5.    FIRST CLASS LACY B (43)
6.    STREAK OF SIXES (35)
7.    ALL N THE JEANS (32)
8.    FIRST PAINTED SIGN (20)
9.    FREIGHTTRAIN B (20)
10.  KNUCKLES O TOOLE (16)
 
Painted Sable (14), PYC Takes All (13), Endless Ocean (8), Miss Chicks Vision (5), Blues Girls Choice (5), Merryvale (4), Carburator (3), Make Mine Zoom (3), Dahlberg (2), Divas First Down (2), No Dice Special (1), Coronas Fast Prize (1)
  
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.    FREAKY (90)
2.    EASY DASHIN SIXES (71)
3.    JESS YOU AND I (69)
4.    HEADTURNER (57)
5.    SEPARATE BET (53)
6.    RUNNNING BROOK GAL (44)
7.    RYLEES BOY (43)
8.    JUMPN BEDUINO (24)
9.    DYLANS DANDY (10)
10.  STYLISH JESS BR (9)
 
Double Down Special (8), Diamond For Jess (6), Spit Curl Diva (5), Hez Our Rock (4), Ragazzo (3), Stone E Motion (1), Gone To The Mountain (1) JA Golsablazin (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, May 6, 2010 – Trainer Ray Robbins is in the enviable position of having three finalists, headed by fastest qualifier Capshaw Royal Belles, in the $56,000 Alabama Futurity for Alabama-breds Saturday night at Delta Downs.

Walter Chaney’s homebred Capshaw Royal Belles (Royal Quick Dash-Funistrada by Zevi (TB)) —like each of the Robbins pupils— made her career debut in the Alabama Futurity trials. The filly pulled away to take her trial by three-quarters of a length; her time of :17.260 for the 330 yards topped the qualifiers’ list.

The remaining Robbins-trained qualifiers, Mamies Moon and Failajewels Bug, did not win their trials. Donna Karr’s Mamies Moon (Royal Quick Rocket-Texas Glamour by Jody O Toole) was second by half a length in his trial. Circle R Racing Stables’ Failajewels Bug (Failajewel-Two Thousand Bug by EJ Raise The Cash) was third in his heat.

Mamies Moon was timed in :17.434 and Failajewels raced to a time of :17.662.
Charles and Karen Moon’s Rockets Royal Effort (Royal Quick Rocket-Effortlessly Elegant by Proudest Effort) posted the second-fastest time of :17.341 while taking her trial by half a length. It was the career debut for the filly from the Justin Powell barn.

Fans can watch live racing at Delta Downs and many other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, May 5, 2010 – This week’s AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll for 3-year-olds and older once again shows the dominance of reigning world champion Freaky, who earned all nine first-place votes. This could be a tell-tale week in the 2-year-old division, however, given the Friday and Saturday night trials for the rich Heritage Place Futurity. Nearly 200 juveniles will be in action with sights on the clock, purse and future poll rankings.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.   LLANO TELLER (85)
2.   A SNOWY CARTEL (72)
3.   NO DICE SPECIAL (69)
4.   AMERICAN RUNAWAY (48)
5.   FIRST CLASS LACY B (45)
6.   STREAK OF SIXES (40)
7.   FIRST PAINTED SIGN (31)
8.   ALL N THE JEANS (24)
9.   PYC TAKES ALL (19)
10. PAINTED SABLE (16)
 
Endless Ocean (15), Miss Chicks Vision (7), Merryvale (6), Make Mine Zoom (5), Fast Movin Vic (3), Hes Too Icy For Me (2), Coronas Fast Prize (2), Wave Of Jo (2), Carburator (2), The Goodbye Kisser (1), Sante Mon Ami (1) 
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.   FREAKY (90)
2.   EASY DASHIN SIXES (76)
3.   HEADTURNER (66)
4.   RYLEES BOY (52)
5.   SEPARATE BET (51)
6.   JESS YOU AND I (42)
7.   RUNNNING BROOK GAL (36)
8.   DYLANS DANDY (20)
9.   JUMPN BEDUINO (19)
10. STYLISH JESS BR (16)
 
Hez Our Rock (5), Spit Curl Diva (5), Double Down Special (4), Ragazzo (3), Diamond For Jess (3), Stolis Winner (2), Gone To The Mountain (2), JA Golsablazin (1), Bring The Bling (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, April 29, 2010 – Owners Rigoberto and Benito Guillen along with their trainer Ramon Fontes Jr. boast a strong pair in the $100,000-added Desert Classic Futurity (RG3) Friday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

They are represented by Downtown Richard (Kelowna Kash-Ky High by High Brite) and Gallant Righter (Righter-Fugitive Effort by A Gallant Effort), the top two qualifiers.

Downtown Richard topped the trials in his career debut when he pulled away for a 1-length victory in:16.048 for the 300 yards.

Gallant Righter, also making his first start, was challenged by third-fastest qualifier Beer Man (Count Corona-Merri Roc by Rocky Jones). Gallant Righter proved best by a nose with a time of :16.201.

Ralph and Carolyn Fales’ Beer Man battled Gallant Righter for the entire race, but came up short in the photo finish. The Matthew Fales Jr.-trained colt was clocked in :16.203.
Fans can watch live racing at Turf Paradise and many other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, April 21, 2010 – Llano Teller earned a hard-fought victory in the April 17, $596,041 Remington Park Futurity (G1), but he sprinted away from the field in the season’s first 2-year-old poll, earning 16 more votes than No. 2-ranked No Dice Special, who won the West Texas Futurity (G1) on April 18.

Llano Teller is undefeated in three starts and races for breeder Wootan Racing in partnership with Reed Land and Cattle Co. The Teller Cartel gelding outran American Runaway by a nose in the Remington Park Futurity, and brought his lifetime earnings to $283,747.

The AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll is released each Wednesday through the end of the racing season in December. A complete weekly run-down is available at www.aqharacing.comand www.horseplayernow.com.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS:
 
1.               LLANO TELLER (83)
2.               NO DICE SPECIAL (67)
3.               A SNOWY CARTEL (66)
4.               AMERICAN RUNAWAY (47)
5.               STREAK OF SIXES (40)
6.               FIRST LACY CLASS B (38)
7.               FIRST PAINTED SIGN (33)
8.               ENDLESS OCEAN (23) 
9.               PYC TAKES ALL (20)
10.            PAINTED SABLE (15)
 
The Goodbye Kisser (11), Make Mine Zoom (10), All N The Jeans (9), Miss Chicks Vision (8), Merryvale (6), Wave Of Jo (4), Fast Movin Vic (3), Hes Too Icy For Me (3), First To Divulge (3), Don’t Look Ethel (3), Coronas Fast Prize (2), Sante Mon Ami (1)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.               FREAKY (90)
2.               EASY DASHIN SIXES (77)
3.               HEADTURNER (58)
4.               RYLEES BOY (51)
5.               SEPARATE BET (50)
6.               JESS YOU AND I (42)
7.               RUNNNING BROOK GAL (41)
8.               DYLANS DANDY (21)
9.               STYLISH JESS BR (17)
10.            JUMPN BEDUINO (13)
 
Spit Curl Diva (6), Double Down Special (6), Hez Our Rock (5), Stolis Winner (4), Diamond For Jess (4), Gone To The Mountain (2), First Klas Fred (1), Vital Winner (1), Tempting Dash (1), JA Golsablazin (1), Bring The Bling (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, April 15, 2010 – Fastest-qualifier Brady Mountain Beau and Longhorn Invitational winner Executive Precision top the hopefuls racing 350 yards in the $274,040 Manor Downs Futurity (G1) on Sunday afternoon at the track near Austin. 
 
Also on Sunday’s card, Mr Jess XL heads the $160,072 Manor Downs Derby (G3) as the fastest qualifier. 
 
Simply Cool Stables’ Brady Mountain Beau (The Corona-Flower Of Paradise by Strawfly Special) dominated his trial for trainer Robert Touchet when he drew out to a 3-length victory. His time of :17.749 for the 350 yards was the quickest time from the trials and the fastest time by the equivalent of half a length. 
 
Brady Mountain Beau is one of three Manor Downs Futurity finalists with three starts. Two starts back, he raced in the 300-yard Longhorn Futurity (G2) and finished a non-threatening eighth. 
 
A.O. Vera Jr.’s Executive Precision (Executive Menace-Miss Ryon Dash by Dash For Destiny) is poised for a Grade 1 win after winning the $15,000 Longhorn Invitational and then rolling to a Longhorn Futurity trial victory. The Eusevio Huitron-trained colt sprinted to an early lead in his trial and rolled under the wire with a 3-length winning margin and the second-fastest qualifying time of :17.829. 
 
Hernando Guerra’s third-fastest qualifier A Snowy Cartel (Corona Cartel-A Snowy Fling by This Snow Is Royal) bears watching after winning her trial in her first start. The Paul Ramirez-trained filly showed interest in the last half of her trial when she pulled out to the three-quarter-length victory in :17.837. 
 
In the derby, Hernando Gonzalez Guerra’s Mr Jess XL (Mr Jess Perry-Dashin Belladona by Fishers Dash) has solid stakes credentials and impressed with his trial win for trainer Ramirez. 
 
As a juvenile in 2009, Mr Jess XL was a close second in the Firecracker Futurity (G2), fifth in the Retama Futurity (G1) and eighth against a very strong field in the Southwest Juvenile Championship (G1). 
 
Mr Jess XL returned from a four-month layoff in the Manor Downs Derby trials, overcoming a troubled start to win by a length in :17.813 at 350 yards. 
 
Rodrigo Salas’ second-fastest qualifier Mr Vikenson (Embrujo FG-Santa Clara Vike by Vikingson (TB)) steps up to stakes company after three-straight wins. The winner of four of seven starts for trainer Roberto Madrigal rallied to win his derby trial by an expanding neck in :17.925. 
 
Jorge Haddad and Carlos Lozano’s Ragazzo (Shazoom-Las Alamitos by First Down Dash) was a narrow, 12-1 upset winner of the 2009 Heritage Place Futurity (G1) to account for the majority of his career earnings of $504,069. He came back from a winter layoff to win his derby trial by a nose with the fourth-fastest time of :17.963.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, April 14, 2010 – With a track record-setting win in the March 27 $100,000 Leo Stakes (G1) at Remington Park, Easy Dashin Sixes made a major splash in the season’s first update to the AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com National Poll for 3-year-olds and older. The half-length victory over Separate Bet launched the Texas-bred 5-year-old into this week’s No. 2 spot. He trails only unanimous No. 1-ranked Freaky, whose Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Championship victory earlier this year figures to be his only start until he preps for a late-season run at a repeat in the Grade 1 Champion of Champions.

Separate Bet, second in the Leo Stakes as the heavy favorite, moves down one slot to No. 3 this week from his previous ranking in the 2010 preseason poll. Meanwhile, Headturner debuts in the poll at No. 5, following his April 9 score in the Grade 2 El Primero Del Año Derby after winning the Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1) earlier this spring.

The AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com National Poll also will include separate 2-year-old rankings beginning later this spring. The poll is released Wednesdays through the end of the racing season in December. A complete weekly run-down is available at www.aqharacing.com and www.horseplayernow.com.

April 14, 2010 - NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR OLDS & UP:

1.               FREAKY (90)
2.               EASY DASHIN SIXES (66)
3.               SEPARATE BET (61)
4.               JESS YOU AND I (56)
5.               HEADTURNER (41)
6.               RUNNNING BROOK GAL (40)
7.               STYLISH JESS BR (33)
8.               RYLEES BOY (27)
9.               DYLANS DANDY (20)
10.             STOLIS WINNER (13)
Others receiving votes: First Klas Fred (9), Tempting Dash (9), Spit Curl Diva (4), Hez Our Rock (3), Time For A Cigar (3), Snowbound Superstar (3), JA Golsablazin (2), Sophisticated Snow (1), Bloke (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, April 8, 2010 – The impressive Rylees Boy in the $110,000 Bank of America New Mexico Challenge Championship (G1) tops a stakes doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Sunland Park.

On the undercard, fastest-qualifier Streak Of Sixes puts his two-for-two record on the line when New Mexico-bred juvenile hopefuls make their stakes debut in the $283,555 New Mexico Spring Futurity (RG1).

The Gerardo Ochoa-Pena-owned and -trained Rylees Boy (Heza Motor Scooter-Pipistrelle by Rocky Jones) shoots for his third-straight win at Sunland Park in the 440-yard Bank of America New Mexico Challenge Championship. The 5-year-old gelding posted back-to-back wins after running second, beaten by a scant nose behind champion First Moonflash in The Championship at Sunland Park (G1) on December 26.

Rylees Boy returned after that narrow defeat to win the $50,000 KOFX Handicap and his Bank of America New Mexico Challenge Championship trial. He easily won that trial at 1-20 odds by half a length in :20.810, the second-fastest qualifying time.

Rylees Boy was third behind Fighter On Fire and Little Bit Of Baja in the $300,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship last fall at Los Alamitos before shipping to Sunland Park.

Lifetime, Rylees Boy has raced to 12 wins from 25 starts while moving up from Arizona competition to the Grade 1 level at Los Alamitos and Sunland Park.

Sunset Well Service Inc.’s Double Chiseled (SC Chiseled In Stone-Specialy Double by Special Task) raced to fastest-qualifier honors with a :20.807 time. He held on for the neck verdict over third-fastest qualifier Kool Cade (Hawkinson-Kool Kue Chick by Chicks Beduino).

The Jorge Valenzuela-trained Double Chiseled was away from the races for 11 months before returning to win two races at Sunland Park this winter. He was an ineffective seventh in his West Texas Maturity trial before winning his Bank of America New Mexico Challenge Championship trial at 9-1 odds.

Rose Guevara’s Kool Cade gamely finished second in his trial. The fourth-place finisher in the 2009 Rainbow Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs won a conditioned allowance race at Sunland Park two starts ago.

In the Spring Futurity, Streak Of Sixes (Sixes Royal-Perfect Sevens by Major Rime) impressed in her two starts with wins for owners Peter and Marjorie Gallegos. Streak Of Sixes won her maiden at first asking by one-half length and then took her Spring Futurity trial by three-quarters of a length. Her time of :14.995 for the 300 yards was the sole clocking below :15.000.

Trainer Fred Danley is always dangerous in New Mexico-bred stakes and sends out Merryvale (Furyofthewind-Tangled Vines by Dash Ta Fame) and Pakea Bay (Brookstone Bay-Pakea Kai by Mr Eye Opener), the second and third-fastest qualifiers.

Sue May’s Merryvale finished sixth in her career debut and then matured with a half-length victory in her Spring Futurity trial. She was timed in :15.020.

Pakea Bay, owned by May and David Barrett, exhibited considerable potential when he made his career debut in the trials. He pulled out to a 1 1/4-length victory with a time of :15.050.

Fans can watch live racing at Sunland Park and many other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, March 31, 2010 – Robert Williams’ homebreds Mark It Famous and Jess So Sixy try to knock off the undefeated EBW Obsession in the $168,685 West Texas Derby (G3) Saturday afternoon at Sunland Park.

The Wes Giles-trained pair of Mark It Famous (Mark My Dial-A Famous New Face by Dash Ta Fame) and Jess So Sixy (Mr Jess Perry-Oh So Sixy by Six Fortunes) boast solid Grade 1 stakes credentials. Mark It Famous has qualifications in the Texas Classic Futurity and the West Texas Futurity while Jess So Sixy was an All American Futurity and Ruidoso Futurity finalist.

Mark It Famous is in sharp form after winning his only two starts this year, each at Sunland Park. He is ready to step forward in the West Texas Derby after drawing out to win his derby trial by 1 1/2 lengths in the fastest qualifying time of :18.997 for the 400 yards.

The gelding has won three of his four starts at Sunland Park with his only setback a close third-place finish in the West Texas Futurity (G1).

Jess So Sixy returned from a six-month layoff in her West Texas Derby trial to finish a close second behind third-fastest qualifier Stoneys Dash (SC Chiseled In Stone-Fancy Bege Charger by Dash For Perks), who was timed in :18.959. Jess So Sixy was clocked in the fourth-fastest time of :18.973.

During her strong juvenile campaign, she won her Ruidoso Futurity trial and All American Futurity trial, qualifying for the finals of each Grade 1 futurity.

Ernie and Brenda Wood’s homebred EBW Obsession (Brimmerton-Runaway Sweetheart by Runaway Winner) was one of the most highly regarded members of the Ruidoso Downs juvenile division last year for trainer Jamie Zamora. The filly won each of her four starts, capped by her win in the Ford New Mexico Juvenile Challenge (G3) and one-length win in her All American Futurity trial.

Now trained by Ralph Muniz, EBW Obsession returned seven months after her All American trial win with a 1½-length West Texas Derby trial victory. She won with the fifth-fastest qualifying time of :19.000 as the 9-10 favorite. She has been favored in each of her five starts and has been the odds-on favorite in her latest four starts.

Fans can watch live racing at Sunland Park and many other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

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

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, March 25, 2010 – Defending winner Separate Bet – winner of three stakes last year at Remington Park – tops the $100,000 Leo Stakes (G1) and highlights an impressive Saturday night stakes card at Remington Park.

Joining the 400-yard Leo on Saturday is the $35,000 Decketta Handicap for fillies and mares. Also, the $312,000 Oklahoma Futurity (G2) and $136,000 Oklahoma Derby will be contested after last Saturday’s card was postponed due to inclement weather.

Leo Stakes (G1)

Jimmy Harrel, Duane Harrel and Jo Ann Adams’ Separate Bet (Separatist-Better Bet On Me by First Down Dash) was the horse of the meet last year at Remington when he raced to three stakes wins in three starts. The gray gelding won the $50,000 Eastex Handicap, the Leo and the $200,000 Remington Park Championship (G1).

After winning the 2009 Eastex by nearly 2 lengths, Separate Bet also dominated the Leo when he set a track record of :19.396 for 400 yards while racing to a daylight win. That set him up as the 7-5 favorite for the Remington Park Championship and he gamely rallied for a head win over Here To Entertain.

The Paul Jones trainee then returned to his trainer’s main base at Los Alamitos Race Course. The earner of $745,748 has been winless in five starts at Los Alamitos against top-shelf stakes company, but comes off a second-place run behind 2009 World Champion Freaky in the $228,000 Los Alamitos Winter Championship (G1).

Joining Separate Bet from the Jones barn in the Leo is Jose Santo’s Frankie Shoots (Dashin Bye-Shake N Shoot by Tolltac), winner of the 2008 Vessels Maturity (G1) at Los Alamitos. The earner of nearly $300,000 comes off a close second-place finish in the Eastex Handicap (G2) in his first race at Remington Park.

Maliche Cattle Co.’s Charal Kid (Steakin La Jolla-The Special Feature by Strawfly Special) has won six of his latest eight starts. His most important win during this hot streak was a half-length win in the $202,000 Dash For Cash Derby (G1) for trainer Eusevio Huitron.

Decketta Handicap

In the Decketta, The Sparky Mullins-owned, -trained and -bred Eyesa Country Miss (Mr Eye Opener-Country Zevi by Zevi (TB)) is a local favorite and should be ready to defend her title in the Decketta. The winner of last year’s running by a length was second in an allowance race at Remington Park on March 7. That was her return to racing after an eight-month layoff.

The Reed Land and Cattle Co.’s Feature Jess Rockin (Feature Mr Jess-Me Rockin by Meter Me Gone) comes to Remington Park after a successful winter at Hialeah Park in South Florida. The Heath Reed-trained mare easily won the Sawgrass Stakes and was a close second in the City of Hialeah Stakes.

Oklahoma Futurity (G2)

In the Oklahoma Futurity, Don Hill’s homebred Traffic Wagon (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Traffic Ten Too by Dash Thru Traffic) brings fastest-qualifier status into a deep field, including eight trial winners, racing 300 yards.

The Stacy Charette-Hill-trained Traffic Wagon impressed in her career debut by pulling out to a 1 1/2-length trial win and by posting the fastest qualifying mark of :15.527.

Second-fastest qualifier Absolut Treasure (Desirio-Absolut Fortune by Stoli) also showed potential in his trial when he handily won by one length in :15.565. The Reed Land and Cattle Co.-owned homebred is trained by Reed.

Ed Melzer’s first-time starter Knuckles O Toole (Country Chicks Man-Itty Bitty Rarity by Rare Form) dominated his trial while pulling away to win by more than a length. The gelding was clocked in :15.599.

Oklahoma Derby

In the Oklahoma Derby, stakes winners Make It Bentley and Shakem Blue are set for a trial rematch over 350 yards.

James Sills and Gerald Swindell’s Make It Bentley (Make It Anywhere-Eye Opener Bentley by Mr Eye Opener) competed on the Oklahoma circuit last year and capped his juvenile campaign with a 10-1 upset win in the Black Gold Championship (G3) at Blue Ribbon Downs. He drew out in a sharp effort to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

Make It Bentley made his 2010 debut in the Oklahoma Derby trials and raced to a narrow head win over Shakem Blue with the quickest qualifying time of :17.577.

Dan and Jolene Urschel’s Shakem Blue (Jess Louisiana Blue-Shakem Cash by Royal Shake Em) was credited with the second-fastest time of :17.587.

The gelding from the Jones stable won the Hialeah El Niño Handicap on December 27 and then was a close second in the $143,000 South Florida Derby. Overlooked at 20-1 odds, Shakem Blue was beaten by a neck over 440 yards after holding the early lead in the El Niño.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, March 4, 2010 – Maria Gonzalez’s Jess Dellaree, a 5-year-old with only three official starts, tries to back up his convincing trial win in a wide-open $86,854 West Texas Maturity (G2) at Sunland Park on Saturday afternoon.

Jess Dellaree (Feature Mr Jess-Dellaree by Leaving Memories) made a pair of starts last winter at Sunland Park, plus the West Texas Maturity trial for his three official outs. A year ago, he easily won his maiden at first asking and then was a close third in a second-level allowance race as the odds-on favorite.

The gelding flashed peak form in his West Texas Maturity trial when he drew off to win by 1 ¼ lengths with a superb time of :18.910 for 400 yards.

Third in last year’s West Texas Maturity, Juan Moraga’s WR Okie Smoker (Okey Dokey Dale-Mis Madre by Dashing Val) is on a roll coming into this year’s running. The Dennis Marstellar-trained gelding finished second in three consecutive races – including two stakes events – last fall at Turf Paradise before shipping to Sunland Park. After a three-month breather he resurfaced with a half-length West Texas Maturity trial win with the second-fastest qualifying time of :19.038.

Joe Rios’ Brown Eye Suze (Mr Eye Opener-Shesaspeedin Bullet by Bully Bullion) makes her first stakes start against male competition in more than two years. Last fall she won a $40,300 allowance race at Zia Park and was second in the Buttons and Bows Handicap at The Downs of Albuquerque. Each of those outs was against female company.

Brown Eye Suze was second in her West Texas Maturity trial behind WR Okie Smoker after stumbling at the start.

Fans can watch live racing at Sunland Park and many other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, March 3, 2010 – World Champion Freaky received all nine first-place votes as a unanimous No. 1 choice in the season’s first AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll of older horses. The expert panel rewarded not only his vast resume, but also his early season victory in the Los Alamitos Winter Championship in stakes-record time.

With a berth in-hand for a Champion of Champions (G1) repeat score – and with a long vacation now due – Freaky could be tough to unseat throughout much of 2010 as the Adan Farias trainee awaits the big goal at the end of the season. Those anticipated to challenge the top spot throughout the year include a series of divisional championship winners who are back this year: Runnning Brook Gal (champion 2-year-old and 2-year-old filly), Stylish Jess BR (champion aged mare), First Klas Fred (champion 2-year-old gelding) and Time For A Cigar (champion 3-year-old gelding). There’s also 2008 World Champion Stolis Winner looking to reclaim his title, now at age 4.

The AQHA Racing-Horseplayernow.com national poll also will include separate 2-year-old rankings, beginning later this spring. The poll is released Wednesdays from March until the end of the racing season in December. A complete weekly run-down is available at both www.aqharacing.com and www.horseplayernow.com. [Note the new website address of AQHA Racing’s top-10 poll media partner Horse Player Now, formerly Horse Player Pro.]

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (Horseplayernow.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR OLDS & UP
March 3, 2010

1.    FREAKY (90)
2.    SEPARATE BET (48)
3.    RUNNNING BROOK GAL (47)
4.    JESS YOU AND I (43)
5.    STYLISH JESS BR (40)
6.    RYLEES BOY (37)
7.    HEADTURNER (34)
8.    FIRST KLAS FRED (26)
9.    PRINCELIKE (17)
10.  STOLIS WINNER (14)

Also receiving votes: Good Reason SA (13), Tempting Dash (12), Mr Regard (8), Merridoc Hawk (15), Wowzer Won (5), Time For A Cigar (5), Terrific Energy (4), Snowbound Superstar (3), Bloke (3), Little Bit Of Ah Ha (2), Eye Got The Blues (2), First Prize Leesa (2), Hoist Mission (2), Charal Kid (1),  Mon Ti Rose (1), Favorite Cartel (1)

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, February 25, 2009 – Vessels Stallion Farm and Los Bustardos’ Jus Ledoux It will lead the three members of the Adan Farias-trained contingent in the $134,000 Maiden Stakes on Saturday night at Los Alamitos.

The 350-yard Maiden Stakes is not an official AQHA stakes race because it is restricted to 3-year-olds who were maidens as of December 1, 2009. However, it has grown into an early-season indicator of potential stakes horses who developed later in their careers.

Jus Ledoux It (A Regal Choice-Sometimes You Win by Jazzing Hi) attempts to follow in the hoof prints of champion Little Bit Of Baja, who had the same ownership. He raced in the 2007 Maiden Stakes – finishing second behind eventual three-time Grade 1-placed runner A Mere Splash – and went on to win the Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1) and finish second in the Champion of Champions (G1) twice.

Jus Ledoux It has matured after being gelded. Since then, he raced to a pair of second-place finishes before breaking his maiden in his Maiden Stakes trial. He won his trial by a neck at 5-2, and his time of :17.263 was the quickest from six trials.

Farias also sends out B Zoom (Azoom-Libbys Cartel by Corona Cartel) and Stel Master (Stel Corona-Zelmas Dash by Royal Quick Dash).

Robert Williams’ B Zoom was gelded in late December and has won each of his races since. He won a Los Alamitos maiden race on January 6 and then prevailed by a head in his Maiden Stakes trial as the 8-5 favorite. He was clocked in :17.437 for the trial win. The gelding is out of 2001 Blue Ribbon Futurity (G1) winner Libby Cartel, and he is a half brother to 2007 All American Futurity (G1) finalist Libbys Feature.

Leon Armando’s Stel Master squeezed into the Maiden Stakes with the 10th-fastest qualifying time of :17.494. The consistent colt has been on the board in each of his four starts while winning his maiden over 300 yards at Los Alamitos on December 6. Since then he has had a close second-place finish and a competitive third-place run from two starts.

Felix Aguallo Gonzalez’s homebred Brooklyn Boy (A Chocolate Rocket-Dashing Dominique by First Down Dash) will be dangerous in the Maiden Stakes for trainer Carlos Gonzalez. The gelding has a maiden win and three narrow second-place finishes in four starts. He finished just a neck behind Jus Ledoux It as the 7-10 favorite in their trial. Brooklyn Boy was clocked in :17.292 for the second-fastest time in the Maiden Stakes trials.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, February 18, 2010 – Dr. Ed Allred’s homebred Princelike looks to reign over the sophomores in training at Los Alamitos when he brings fastest-qualifier honors into the $201,750 Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1) Friday night.

Princelike (TR Dasher-Queen Mother by Raise A Secret) is ready to step up to the stakes-winner ranks after winning four of five career starts with a third-place run in the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity (G1), his sole stakes appearance.

Trained by Jose Flores, Princelike took a nearly four-month breather after last fall’s PCQHRA Breeders Futurity and surfaced with a 1 1/2-length win in his Winter Derby trial on January 29. His :19.421 time for the 400 yards was the fastest qualifying time by the equivalent of nearly 1 length.

Flores saddles an abundance of talent in the Winter Derby with four of the five fastest qualifiers. He also sends out second-fastest qualifier Mamas Justice (Lit de Justice (TB)-Mama Said Run by Chicks Beduino), fourth-fastest qualifier Mollys Cartel (Corona Cartel-Five Bar Molly by Dash Ta Fame) and fifth-fastest qualifier Headturner (Check Him Out-Imjumpn by First Down Dash).

Eladin Flores’ Mamas Justice has won three of his four most recent starts with the only blemish during that stretch a troubled sixth-place finish in the Holiday Handicap. The homebred gelding won his Winter Derby trial by half a length in :19.553.

Balgo Racing Team’s Mollys Cartel has four trial wins in his latest six starts, qualifying for the Los Alamitos Two Million (G1) and the Ed Burke Million (G1). She raced to a 1 1/4-length trial win in :19.634.

Jose Sandoval’s Headturner was a close second in the PCQHRA Breeders Futurity while finishing ahead of Princelike. The gelding was second in his Winter Derby trial behind third-fastest qualifier Fire In The Hole (Walk Thru Fire-Artesia by Timeto Thinkrich.

Fire In The Hole, owned by Isle Vista Ranch SS and trained by Adan Farias, stepped up from conditioned claiming company to score his fifth-straight win in his Winter Derby trial. He was clocked in :19.583 for the one-half-length trial victory.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, February 11, 2010 – The super-consistent Slinkys Fortune, who has finished in the top two in each of his 13 starts, heads a full field of eight Louisiana-bred distance specialists over 870 yards in the $40,000 Magnolia Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs.

The Henry Padgett-owned and -trained Slinkys Fortune (Dashs Slinky-Chasing A Fortune by Six Fortunes) did not begin his racing career until 2008 as a 4-year-old, but he has made up for lost time by earning $152,765 while never finishing below second place.

Slinkys Fortune returned after a three-month rest in the 870-yard Marathon Stakes on January 23 at Louisiana Downs. He made an impressive move going around his rivals to win by 2 lengths as the 13-10 favorite. That victory came against open company, so facing state-breds in the Magnolia Stakes may be a class drop for the impressive gelding.

Slinkys Fortune won the Marathon a year ago, then came back in his next start to win the Magnolia Stakes with a five-wide move.

Orville and Kathryn’s Smith’s 6-year-old gelding First Down Toro (Deltas First Dash-Fancy Pricilla by Leaving Memories) set the pace in this year’s Marathon and softened up the field, setting up the race for Slinkys Fortune’s late rally.

In the $40,000 Lakeview Stakes at Fair Grounds in September, he set the early pace, maintained his speed and secured a victory, drawing off to win by more than 4 lengths.

The Ralph Williams-leased Such Easy Profit (Such Easy Cash-High Profitability by Bills Ryon) shows promise at 870 yards for trainer James Guillory. He won his maiden two starts ago at 550 yards and then stepped up to 870 to dominate a second-level allowance race by nearly 9 lengths.

The Anthony Arey-owned and -trained Dr Drip (First To Shine-High Seas Operator by Streakin La Jolla) has lined up against Slinkys Fortune in his latest two starts and twice finished second behind Slinkys Fortune. In each race, Dr Drip made the lead in the stretch, but was unable to hold off Slinkys Fortune.

Fans can watch live racing at Louisiana Downs and many other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The number of American Quarter Horse races dropped by .4 percent, from 9,152 in 2008 to 9,113 in 2009. The significant loss of races at Les Bois Park, Blue Ribbon Downs, Mount Pleasant Meadows and Retama Park was mostly offset by an increase in races at Fair Grounds, Sam Houston Race Park and Hialeah Park. A net loss of 39 contests was seen in 2009.

Despite fewer races in 2009, the total number of American Quarter Horse starters rose from 16,911 to 17,180, an increase of 1.6 percent. The number of 2-year-old starters dropped .2 percent to 5,616; 3-year-olds were up 1.1 percent to 5,005. The number of aged runners saw the greatest increase, up 4.8 percent to 5,894.

Total purses also rose by 1.7 percent, from $125.5 million to $127.6 million. Much of that gain was the result of a 5.4 percent increase in added money: $102.4 million, up from $97.2 million. [Note that where dollar figures are rounded, they may not reflect the percentages listed, which are actual.]

The average purse per race rose 2.1 percent to $14,005, though all of that gain – and more – was by 2-year-olds; purses in derbies and 3-and-up races fell.

The average starter last year earned $7,428, a .1 percent rise from 2008. The average 2-year-old starter earned $8,262 (up 3.6 percent), the average 3-year-old starter earned $7,776 (down 3.3 percent) and the average aged starter earned $6,404 (up .3 percent).

Total handle was off 1.4 percent in 2009, at $328.4 million. Average handle per race dropped .8 percent to $36,340; however, most of that decline was seen in races among older horses: average handle among 2-year-old races rose by 1.8 percent to $37,920 while the average handle for 3-year-olds and up fell a whopping 19 percent to $74,157.

The Bank of America Racing Challenge saw moderate losses in 2009 enrollment numbers. New enrollments fell from 3,716 to 3,567, a 4 percent decline. Almost all of that enrollment drop of 149 was represented by weanlings, which account for the vast majority of Challenge enrollments. The Bank of America Racing Challenge began in 1993 and since that time has distributed more than $52 million to breeders and owners of racing American Quarter Horses. This year marks the 18th year of the program. There is $5 million in total purses and awards for 2010, thanks to corporate partners, host tracks, horsemen and the Bank of America Racing Challenge Purse Fund.

Some trends at the racing office, betting window and finish line:

• Racing secretaries wrote 2,361 races at 350 yards, making it the most popular distance in 2009; 300 yards was a close second, with 330 and 400 yards making up most of the remainder, in that order.

• Races at 220 yards had the highest average handle last year, at $56,571; 300-yard races had the second-highest average, with $55,992; 440-yard races averaged $40,282, the only other distance to finish with a average per-race handle above $40,000.

• Of horses going off as the race favorite, 35.33 percent finished first in 2009, with 69.21 percent of favorites finishing in the money.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, February 4, 2010 – The veteran stakes mare Mon Ti Rose is well positioned to start her 2010 campaign with a stakes win when she heads the $50,000 Party Girl Stakes for Louisiana-bred distaffers on Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs.

Owned by Melba De La Cerda and Graciela Medina, Mon Ti Rose (Dashin Bye-Mon Ti Fleur by Mr Jess Perry) raced to top-three finishes in her latest seven starts stretching over the past year, and each of those starts has been against stakes company. The earner of $160,169 started that streak with a 1-length win in last year’s Party Girl Stakes at 2-1 odds. She finished well in the 350-yard test to get that victory over a sloppy racing surface.

She concluded her 2009 season with a second-place finish over 440 yards against the boys in the Louisiana Championship Day Classic (RG2). In that race for state-breds, she raced on the lead before giving way and was defeated by a half length.

The 5-year-old mare has made 20 career starts and finished on the board 15 times with seven wins for trainer Frank Cavazos.

The Henry Padgett-owned and -trained Shawnies Dasher (Rebel Dasher-Shawnies Pie by Pie In The Sky) is primed for the Party Girl after a win over allowance company at Louisiana Downs on January 16. The winner of eight of 20 career starts gained that 330-yard allowance win by racing to a one-half length advantage and then holding off her female rivals.

Shawnies Dasher defeated Mon Ti Rose in the 2009 Mothers Day Stakes at Delta Downs. Shawnies Dasher won at 7-1 odds over odds-on favorite Mon Ti Rose.

Guadalupe Garcia’s Ms Quick Patriot (Game Patriot-Spicy Quick Darr by Royal Quick Dash) moved up from the claiming ranks to finish second in the Harrah’s Distaff at nearly 20-1 odds on January 23. She was three-quarters of a length behind the proven stakes competitor XO Kate.

Ms Quick Patriot was claimed for $3,500 last May and won at the $10,000 claiming level two starts ago.

Fans can watch the Party Girl Stakes at Louisiana Downs and most other American Quarter Horse races throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, January 28, 2010 – Eight-time defending national champion trainer Paul Jones is outfitted with the horses to sweep the $100,000 South Florida Derby and the $20,000 Sunshine State Stakes on Sunday afternoon at Hialeah Park.

In the 440-yard Derby, Jones is represented by fastest-qualifier Mr Brimmerton and El Niño Handicap winner Shakem Blue.

In the 220-yard Sunshine State Stakes, Jones is sending out the very quick One Tough Dude, the Ruidoso Downs 300-yard track record holder.

Gabriela Baltierrez’s Mr Brimmerton (Brimmerton-Zip N Streak by Barrett’s Bullet (TB)) rebounded from a horrid trip in the $163,000 Hialeah Laddie Futurity to set the fastest-qualifying time to the South Florida Derby. In his trial, he raced near the lead and then drew out to the three-quarter-length win in :21.843 for the quarter mile.

Two starts ago, in the Laddie, he broke in the air and was never a factor at 4-1 odds. He earned that strong backing after easily winning his trial by three quarters of a length.

Dan and Jolene Urschel’s Shakem Blue (Jess Louisiana Blue-Shakem Cash by Royal Shake Em) won the 400-yard El Niño Handicap on December 27 and then came back to race to a game third-place finish in his Derby trial. He held the lead before giving way to be beaten by a half length.

Jose Angel’s Thad Matta (Shazoom-Royalnative Empress by First Down Dash) finished first over Shakem Blue in their trial as the 6-5 favorite. The Manuel Mata-trained colt bobbled at the start, but rallied to get the 440-yard trial win with the second-fastest time of :21.864.

Thad Matta was fourth in the Laddie Futurity and raced in the Heritage Place Futurity (G1) last spring at Remington Park.

In the Sunshine State, One Tough Dude (Corona Cartel-Start The Commotion by First Down Dash) is very quick and prefers shorter distances. He has won each of his latest three starts, all at 300 or 330 yards.

One Tough Dude started his winning streak in style on June 28 when he zipped over a muddy Ruidoso Downs track to take a conditioned allowance race with a 300-yard track record. He was timed in :15.019 while he drew out to win by 2 lengths over a solid field.

The 4-year-old gelding came back to win another 300-yard Ruidoso Downs allowance race. He raced to the lead and then held off 2009 PCQHRA Breeders Derby (G2) winner Jessanotheraffair to win by a nose.

After a fall breather, he easily won a Hialeah Park 330-yard allowance race by half a length.

Fans can watch live racing at Hialeah Park and many other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, January 21, 2010 – The Bank of America Racing Challenge has reached a new milestone: topping 65,000 enrollments since the program began in 1993. Counting the final batch of 2009 enrollments, 65,083 horses have been enrolled to participate in Racing Challenge events.

The total includes 64,854 horses enrolled in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and 229 Brazil-based horses enrolled through AQHA or ABQM, the Brazilian Quarter Horse Association.

Racing Challenge Director Darrell Hare is happy with the achievement, and is encouraged by the fact that 2009 enrollments stayed up despite an overall down economic year. “Enrollment numbers have been strong every year,” Hare said. “That plus a high level of participation in all the regions tells me the Challenge continues to be very strong, and I think it will be very important to the industry in the foreseeable future.”

The Bank of America Racing Challenge was created in 1992 to provide larger purses and more racing opportunities for older American Quarter Horses. Horses compete throughout the season in six divisions (championship, distaff, juvenile, derby, distance, starter allowance) across 11 geographic regions for the right to face off at the Challenge Championships each fall. The regions span the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America.

In 2006, the John Deere Bonus Challenge was developed to offer enhanced purses for Challenge-enrolled horses at tracks that do not host regional qualifying races. 

The Challenge Maiden series began in 2009, which provides racing opportunities for 3-year-olds and older Challenge-enrolled horses seeking their first win.

All three programs – the Racing Challenge, Bonus Challenge and Maiden Challenge – place an emphasis on horses 3 years old and older.

Owners must pay a one-time enrollment fee per horse before that horse is allowed to participate in any Challenge event. Fees are $300 for a weanling, $600 for a yearling, $8,000 for a 2-year-old and $10,000 for a horse 3 or older.

Horsemen can enroll their horses, nominate to races or learn more about the program by calling the Racing Challenge hotline at (877) 222-7223 or by visiting aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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January 13, 2010 – The 4-year-old gelding Freaky was voted the 2009 World Champion Racing American Quarter Horse after a spectacular year. The award topped all the AQHA racing champions, which were announced tonight at Heritage Place Sale Co. in Oklahoma City.

Freaky (TR Dasher-Chickasecret by Raise A Secret), owned by Armando Aguirre of Surprise, Arizona, won six of nine starts and earned $580,860 in his championship season. Voters also honored him as champion aged horse and unanimously as champion aged gelding.

Freaky began his championship campaign under the ownership of his breeder, Edward C. Allred. He was purchased by Aguirre on January 28, and over the course of the year, he won the Champion of Champions (G1), Robert L. Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship (G1), Vessels Maturity (G1), and Spencer Childers California Breeders’ Championship (RG1) and set three Los Alamitos track records. The gelding was trained in his first two starts of the year by Scott Willoughby; Adan Farias trained the gelding the rest of the year. Freaky was ridden in his races by Francisco Rubio, Rodrigo Aceves and Jeff Jerman.

Other horses receiving honors include First Moonflash (champion aged stallion); Stylish Jess BR (champion aged mare); Runnning Brook Gal (champion 2-year-old, champion 2-year-old filly); Tempting Dash (champion 2-year-old colt); First Klas Fred (champion 2-year-old gelding); Inseperable (champion 3-year-old, champion 3-year-old colt); Alice K White (champion 3-year-old filly); Time For A Cigar (champion 3-year-old gelding); Gone To The Mountain (champion distance horse); Ze Dancer (Mexican champion); Six Pack Of Corona (Canadian champion); and A Tempting Chick (broodmare of the year).

In the human categories, A&C Racing and Roping was honored as champion owners; Edward C. Allred was named champion breeder; Paul C. Jones earned his eighth consecutive honor as champion trainer; and Ramon Sanchez earned his second nod as champion jockey.

First Moonflash (First To Flash-Nagano Moon by Major Rime) won seven of eight starts in his championship season and earned $485,640. During his 4-year-old campaign, he won The Championship at Sunland Park (G1), Bank of America New Mexico Challenge Championship (G1), New Mexico Classic Cup Championship (RG1), Jess Burner Memorial Handicap (RG1), New Mexico Breeders’ Championship (RG2) and Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap (RG2), and set an unprecedented three world records (twice at 440 yards, once at 350 yards). He is owned by Leslie and Pierre Amestoy and Maria Gonzalez, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was bred by Dosi and Norma Alvarez of La Union, New Mexico, trained by Jose Gonzalez, Andres Gonzalez and Dee Keener, and ridden in all his starts by Alejandro Medellin.

Stylish Jess BR (Feature Mr Jess-Stylish Secret by Dash For Cash) raced eight times as a 4-year-old, winning three of those races, finishing third once, and earning $119,204. Her wins included the Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) and Merial California Distaff Challenge (G3). Owned by Benny Rosset of Sao Paulo, Brazil, she was bred by James G. Burgess, M.D., of Russellville, Arkansas, trained by Paul Jones and ridden by Cody Jensen, Ramon Sanchez and Cesar DeAlba.

Runnning Brook Gal (Brookstone Bay-RJK Runaway by Runaway Winner) won six of nine starts and was second twice, and earned $1,318,340 in her freshman year. She won the All American Futurity (G1) and Southwest Juvenile Championship (G1) for her owners A&C Racing and Roping of Roosevelt, Utah, who, under the name A&C Racing, also bred her. She was trained by Paul Jones and ridden by Ramon Sanchez and Kenny Muntz.

With only four starts and a perfect record in 2009, Tempting Dash (First Down Dash-A Tempting Chick by Chicks Beduino) was honored as the champion 2-year-old colt. He won his trials and finals for the Texas Classic Futurity (G1) and Dash For Cash Futurity (G1) and earned $673,970 for owner Jose Trevino of Mesquite, Texas. The colt was bred by Muller Racing LLC of Kansas City, Missouri, trained by Eusevio Huitron and ridden by Julian Cantu.

First Klas Fred (Fredricksburg-She Flies First Klas by Strawfly Special) twice defeated champion Runnning Brook Gal while winning the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and Hobbs America Futurity (G3). He won four of 10 starts, finishing second once and third twice, and earned $445,073. Owned by Denis and Julie Schoenhofer of Bixby, Oklahoma, he was bred by Jim and Marilyn Helzer of Arlington, Texas. The gelding was trained by Mike and Justin Joiner, and ridden by Esgar Ramirez and G.R. Carter Jr.

The bay colt Inseperable (Separatist-A Delightful Legacy by First Down Dash) made his five starts of 2009 good ones, winning four of them, including the All American Derby (G1) and Rainbow Derby (G1) and earning $562,996. In his lone defeat, he finished second by a nose in a trial race. Inseperable is owned by Jimmy and Duane Harrel, JoAnn Adams and Joe Peacock of Weatherford, Oklahoma. He was bred by Eaves Horses Family Ltd. Partnership of Flower Mound, Texas, was trained by Paul Jones and ridden by Cody Jensen.

Alice K White (First Down Dash-Champagne Lane by Lanes Leinster) posted a record of 7-3-2-1 while winning $237,642 in 2009. She defeated males in the Golden State Derby (G1), and also won the La Primera Del Ano Derby (G2). Owned by breeder MJ Farms of Veguita, New Mexico, she was trained by Mike and Cody Joiner and ridden by Cody Jensen.

Time For A Cigar (Corona Cartel-Time For A Goddess by Timeto Thinkrich) won six of eight starts and earned $318,334 for owners Mark Allen et al’s Double Eagle Ranch and Dr. Leonard Blach’s Buena Suerte Equine of Roswell, New Mexico, the same connections who own Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird (TB). Time For A Cigar won the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and Sunland Park Winter Derby (G2). He was bred by Abigail Kawananakoa of Nuevo, California, trained by Tony Sedillo and ridden in his races by Mark Villa, Freddie Martinez and Casey Lambert.

Gone To The Mountain (Panther Mountain-Lindys Bouquet by Fast Lindy) won five of six starts in 2009 and earned $177,193. He won the Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship (G1), Red Cell New Mexico Distance Challenge (G3), Herman Jefferson Stakes (G3), Master Salls Handicap and set the world record for 870 yards. He is owned by breeder Clyde Woerner of Georgetown, Texas, was trained by Wes Giles and ridden by Freddie Martinez.

Ze Dancer (Corona Straws-Ze Table Dancer by Zevi (TB)) won six of seven starts and earned $72,094 for owner and breeder Felix Jimenez Banuelos of Mexico. The sophomore colt’s wins include the Garanones Derby (R), Mexican QHA Yearling Sale Derby (R) and Mexican QH Breeders' Derby (R). He was trained by Juan Andrade and ridden by Armando Andrade.

Six Pack Of Corona (Count Corona-Laceys Fortune by Six Fortunes) was undefeated in six starts in 2009 and earned $46,471. As a 5-year-old, the gelding won the Northlands Park Classic and AQHRA Aged Series Cross Country Classic. He is owned by Daryll Bien and Kelly Matthews of Claresholm, Alberta, was bred by Beebe Quarter Horses of Babb, Montana, trained by Stan Webb and ridden by Brooke Mellish.

Muller Racing LLC’s A Tempting Chick (Chicks Beduino-Tempt Me Not by Sir Alibi) was honored as broodmare of the year. The mare, foaled in 2000, had two starters in 2009, including champion 2-year-old colt Tempting Dash and Grade 1 winner A Tempting Dash. The mare was bred by Robert Nunnally.

A&C Racing and Roping of Roosevelt, Utah, is owned by Albert, Patricia and Chad Richard. Horses they owned in 2009 won 10 of 26 starts and earned $1,438,648, topping the earnings category. Stakes winners they owned include champion Runnning Brook Gal and Winners Version.

Edward C. Allred was honored as the sport’s champion breeder with a 2009 record that saw horses he bred earn $2,346,583 with 174 wins in 1,141 starts. Horses he bred include world champion Freaky and stakes winners Hard Hitting, Hulapai, Forgive Him, Making Choices, Tylerite, Rafting and Look Her Over.

Trainer Paul Jones earned his eighth consecutive honor as champion trainer while breaking his own record for single-season earnings. His horses earned $7,461,604 while winning 244 of 1,261 races. He trained champions Runnning Brook Gal, Inseperable, Stylish Jess BR, as well as Grade 1 winners Good Reason SA, Foose and Separate Bet.

Ramon Sanchez earned his second champion jockey honor while becoming the first jockey ever to win the sport’s two richest races – the All American Futurity (G1) and Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1) – in one year. His mounts won 157 of 757 starts and earned $4,691,790. They included champions Runnning Brook Gal and Stylish Jess BR and Grade 1 winners Good Reason SA and Foose.

All the racing champions will be presented with trophies at the 2010 AQHA Convention in Kissimmee, Florida.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, January 7, 2010 – Debra Gotovac’s Vital Winner, winner of three stakes races in his latest four starts, looms as the favorite to score another distance win when he faces nine rivals over 660 yards in the $20,000 Moonstone Stakes at Hialeah Saturday afternoon. 

Vital Winner (Easy Winning Jet-Vital Investment by Vital Sign) is a distance-running machine for trainer Brad Bolen and is on the ballot for 2009 champion distance horse. He earned that distinction with five wins and three seconds from 10 stakes starts in 2009, all at distances from 550 to 870 yards. His three stakes wins since September came in the 870-yard Red River Handicap, the 550-yard JEH Stallion Station Handicap and the 550-yard Orange Blossom Stakes. 

Vital Winner concluded his 2009 season with a second-place finish in the 660-yard Crystal River Stakes at Hialeah as the 1-10 favorite. 

The impressive 6-year-old gelding has faced the starter 37 times (25 stakes) and returned with 18 wins, seven seconds and four third-place finishes while banking $371,507. He has won or placed in 20 stakes races, including finishing second behind champion Ketel Won over 440 yards in the 2007 Zia Park Championship (G1) and the 2007 All American Gold Cup at Ruidoso Downs. 

Julie Cotton’s Cash At The Line (Takin On The Cash-Gold At the Line (TB) by Strike Gold) tries for another win over Vital Winner after getting that job completed in the Crystal River Stakes at 11-1 odds. He burst to the lead and was able to hold off Vital Winner to win by 1½ lengths. 

Two starts ago, the Judd Kearl-trained Cash At The Line finished a half length behind Vital Winner in the Orange Blossom Stakes. 

Speed 3 Farms’ Patriot Arrival (Game Patriot-Rare Arrival by Rare Form) returns to stakes competition after a pair of second-place runs in $15,000 allowance races at Hialeah for trainer Henry Smith. In his prior stakes appearance, the Orange Blossom Stakes, he was third behind Vital Winner and Cash At The Line. 

Smith also sends out Injuns Fine Wine (Invisible Injun-Lalique N Wine by Fly Duino), a 7-year-old stallion owned by Smith. Injuns Fine Wine finished behind stablemate Patriot Arrival in his latest three starts, all at Hialeah.

Fans can watch live racing at Hialeah Park and many other American Quarter Horse tracks throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, January 6, 2010 – The American Quarter Horse Association will announce the 2009 AQHA Racing Champions awards Wednesday, January 13, live at 6 p.m. CST from Heritage Place in Oklahoma City. The show will broadcast free of charge on Q-Racing Video at www.aqharacing.com.

This year’s awards are wide open, with a number of legitimate contenders in many categories.

The freshman crop yielded several superstars competing now on the ballot for championship honors. The 2-year-old colt candidates are led by Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1) winner Good Reason SA and two-time Grade 1 winner Tempting Dash, who was undefeated in four starts this year. The 2-year-old gelding division is led by Grade 1 winners Eye Got The Blues, First Klas Fred, Twin Spires and Zoomin With Ease. The fillies will provide strong competition for overall 2-year-old honors, led by All American Futurity (G1) winner Runnning Brook Gal.

Among the 3-year-olds seeking championship honors are 2008 world champion Stolis Winner, who after a Grade 1 victory in the Texas Classic Derby, seeks another championship honor in the 3-year-old gelding division. The champion 2-year-old colt Foose is also attempting another year of honors, this time as the champion 3-year-old colt.

Last year was filled with strong aged contenders including New Mexico sensation First Moonflash, who is up for aged stallion honors, and California star Freaky, who competes in the aged gelding category. The aged mare category will feature a battle between five top mares, led by Stylish Jess BR and Terrific Energy.

Even the distance award is up for grabs, with six of seven contenders earning more than $100,000 each in 2009. Gone To The Mountain, Vital Winner and Snowbound Superstar are among the 870-yard candidates.

The awards for outstanding people in the American Quarter Horse racing industry include champion owner, breeder, trainer and jockey. Among the candidates for leading owner are Utah-based A&C Racing and Roping, which led in earnings with the help of All American Futurity winner Runnning Brook Gal. Mike Abraham narrowly led all breeders by money earned, only $15,782 more than Dr. Edward C. Allred. Paul Jones looks to become the champion trainer for his eighth consecutive year, as he was the top money-earning trainer by a runaway, with $4.7 million more than second-place earner Heath Taylor – including wins in the sport’s two richest races, the Los Alamitos Two Million and All American Futurities. Jockey Ramon Sanchez, who became the first jockey to win both of those races in the same year, looks to unseat reigning champion jockey G.R. Carter Jr. from a position he has held seven times, including the past six years.

Nominees automatically qualify based on 2009 earnings or statistics; members of the AQHA Racing Committee may nominate additional horses if they wish. The 25 members of the AQHA Racing Champions Selection Subcommittee then vote on a final ballot in each of these 21 categories:

2-year-old colt
2-year-old filly
2-year-old gelding
3-year-old colt
3-year-old filly
3-year-old gelding
Aged stallion
Aged mare
Aged gelding
Distance horse
Canadian race horse
Mexican race horse
Broodmare

Trainer
Breeder
Owner
Jockey

Overall 2-year-old
Overall 3-year-old
Overall aged horse

World Champion

Winners in all categories receive a bronze trophy created by famed equine sculptor Lisa Perry. A unique Lisa Perry bronze has been created to honor the world champion. The new trophy will be unveiled at the January 13 ceremony.

Fans can watch the award presentation live and free of charge on Q-Racing Video, aqharacing.com’s subscription race video service. Non-subscribers who wish to view the program will only be required to submit a valid e-mail address.

To learn more about the 2009 champions, subscribe to The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal’s free Q-Racing Newsletter. The industry-leading twice-weekly newsletter will release a special edition on Wednesday night with bios on all the champions. Then sit back and enjoy the latest in racing information, previews and recaps from stakes races and trials, tips on horses hitting the workout tab, category leaders and interesting history facts delivered twice a week straight to your e-mailbox – and all for free. Visit www.aqha.com/lyris/subscribe.html to subscribe.

The public is welcome to attend the live event. There is no admission charge, but seating is limited, and nominees are given priority. For information on attending, please call AQHA at (806) 376-4811 and ask for the racing department.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines. 

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, December 10, 2009 - Freaky could complete the climb from claimer to world champion in less than 11 months with a victory in the $750,000 Champion of Champions (G1) at 440 yards on Saturday night at Los Alamitos Race Course.

The Champion of Champions winner has been named world champion more times than the winner of any other American Quarter Horse race. Six of the top-10 ranked horses in the AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com weekly national poll are racing in the Champion of Champions.

Freaky (TR Dasher-Chickasecret by Raise A Secret) raced for a $50,000 claiming price in January and finished in fifth place. Since then, he has won five of six starts, capped by a sensational four-race winning streak. The Adan Farias-trainee scored his latest three wins over Grade 1 company, and he has set three Los Alamitos track records this year.

Freaky’s winning streak started with his Vessels Maturity trial and was capped by his victory in the Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Championship (G1). During that streak, he also won the Vessels Maturity (G1) in 400-yard track-record time and the Spencer Childers California Breeders Championship (G1).

In the Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Championship, Freaky’s most recent start, he pulled out to a 1-length victory in :20.962, narrowly missing the Los Alamitos 440-yard track record of Jess You And I set in last year’s Champion of Champions.

Farias also saddles the quarter-mile adoring Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) winner Fighter On Fire (First Down Dash-Chenille by Merridoc). His only four 440-yard starts have come in his latest four starts, and he has three wins and a troubled eighth-place finish in the Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Championship. Those wins include his nose win over Champion of Champions participant Little Bit Of Baja in the Bank of America Challenge Championship and an impressive 1-length win in the Bank of America California Challenge (G2).

The Double Bar S Ranch’s homebred Jess You And I (Feature Mr Jess-Gold Daze by Tolltac) defends his Champion of Champions title. He won last year’s race by a head as a 15-1 longshot.

The Jaime Gomez-trained Jess You And I backed up his Champion of Champions victory with wins this year in the Los Alamitos Winter Championship (G1) and his second-consecutive victory in the Go Man Go Handicap (G1). He finished a lackluster seventh behind Freaky in the Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Championship.

Trainer Paul Jones has four Champion of Champions victories and saddles four contenders – Foose, Separate Bet, Masters Call and Stylish Jess BR.

Foose (Stel Corona-Summertime Quickie by Royal Quick Dash) is back in Grade 1-winning form after winning the Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1) by a length in his latest start. As a juvenile last year, he moved to the top of his division by winning his first four starts, including the Ed Burke Million (G1). The 2008 champion 2-year-old colt went on to second-place finishes in the Los Alamitos Two Million (G1) and the Golden State Million (G1).

Separate Bet (Separatist-Better Bet On Me by First Down Dash) was the Remington Park horse of the meet this spring when he won three stakes races in his three starts at the Oklahoma City track. He concluded that winning streak with a head win in the Remington Park Championship (G1).

Masters Call (Hennessy (TB)-Check Her Twice by First Down Dash) won the 2007 Los Alamitos Two Million Juvenile and took the Farnam Stakes two starts ago. In the 440-yard Farnam Stakes, he pulled away to win by 1 ¼ lengths in :21.176.

Benny Rossett’s Stylish Jess BR (Feature Mr Jess-Stylish Secret by Dash For Cash) does her best work against female company. This fall she won the Merial Distaff California Challenge (G3) and then easily won the Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) by more than 1 length. In 2008, she won the Mildred Vessels Invitational Handicap (G1) over fillies and mares.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, December 9, 2009 – The polls for 2-year-olds and 3-year-old and older horses remained unchanged this week as AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top 10 pollsters await a seismic weekend of action at Los Alamitos this Friday and Saturday. The Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1) and Champion of Champions (G1) figure to shape the season’s final poll, which will be released next Wednesday, December 16.

The top 10 for the 2-year-olds remained intact as Runnning Brook Gal, the All American Futurity (G1) heroine, holds a slight balloting edge over Texas’ top juvenile, Tempting Dash. The Los Alamitos Two Million participant who may have the most bearing on balloting may be Apollitical Jess, fastest qualifier to the “Deuce.” But it likely will take a monumental effort to forsake the top two in next week’s poll.

The older horse division, however, appears to be a “winner-take-all” in the Champion of Champions. No less than six horses ranked this week are expected to battle Saturday night at Los Alamitos, including the nation’s top three rated runners and five of the top six. Unanimous No. 1 Freaky shows down with No. 2 Inseperable, No. 3 Jess You And I, No. 5 Foose, No. 6 Fighter On Fire and No. 10 Separate Bet.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS
    1.  RUNNNING BROOK GAL (89)
    2.  TEMPTING DASH (82)
    3.  FIRST KLAS FRED (71)
    4.  THE PARTYS ON FIRE (49)
    5.  STREAKIN LAQUINTA (47)
    6.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (37)
    7.  SHESA FIRST RATIFY (35)
    8.  ZOOMIN WITH EASE (23)
    9. JUMPN BEDUINO (17)
    10. PEACE FIRE (15)
First Corona Call (9), Ragazzo (6), Apollitical Jess (6), Favorite Cartel (5), Shining First Dash (3), Eye Got The Blues (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
    1.  FREAKY (90)
    2.  INSEPERABLE (75)
    3.  JESS YOU AND I (69)
    4.  FIRST MOONFLASH (50)
    5.  FOOSE (47)
    6.  FIGHTER ON FIRE (38)
    7.  TERRIFIC ENERGY (35)
    8.  STOLIS WINNER (26)
    9.  STYLISH JESS BR (20)
    10.  SEPARATE BET (15)
Alice K White (11), Little Bit Of Baja (8), Streakin Cherry (4), Fantastic Corona Jr (3), Little Bit Of Ah Ha (3) Charal Kid (1), Gone To The Mountain (2), Noconi (1), Saturday Nite Fever (1)

The nine voters are:
Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, December 3, 2009 – Champion Noconi will be favored to gain his fourth win from five 2009 starts when he heads the $175,000 Zia Park Quarter Horse Championship (G1) over 440 yards on Sunday afternoon.

R.D. Hubbard and Johnny T.L. Jones Jr.’s homebred Noconi (Mr Jess Perry-My Dashing Lady by Dash For Cash) was named the 2008 champion 3-year-old gelding and has returned in peak form. Noconi returned after winter’s rest at Ruidoso Downs last summer to take the Higheasterjet Handicap and the Mr Jet Moore Handicap; he was named older horse of the meet. After a second-place finish as the odds-on favorite in the Refrigerator Handicap (G1) at Lone Star Park, he dominated the Lovington Handicap (G2) at Zia Park in preparation for the Zia Championship.

In 2008, the Paul Jones-trained Noconi earned his championship with his victory over champion Heartswideopen in the All American Derby (G1) and then by winning the Hobbs America Derby (G2) at Zia Park as the 7-10 favorite.

He comes into the Zia Park Championship with $869,559 in earnings and has finished in the top three in 16 of 19 starts.

Three-year-olds Winners Version and Charal Kid each come off of derby wins to challenge Noconi.

Noconi’s stablemate from the Jones barn, Winners Version (Holland Ease-The Jubilee Diamond by Runaway Winner), comes off his win in the $148,000 Hobbs America Derby (G3). The Albert and Chad Richard-owned colt pulled away to an easy 1½-length victory as the 7-5 favorite.

In 2008, Winners Version was the only horse to qualify for the Grade 1 Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American futurities. He also qualified for the Golden State Million (G1) and the Los Alamitos Two Million (G1) as a juvenile. This year, the colt also reached the finals of the Rainbow Derby (G1).

Malinche Cattle Co.’s Charal Kid (Streakin La Jolla-The Special Feature by Strawfly Special) makes his New Mexico debut in the Zia Championship after winning the $202,000 Dash For Cash Derby (G1) for trainer Eusevio Huitron. He prevailed by one-half length over world champion Stolis Winner, who went on to win the $342,000 Texas Classic Derby (G1).

Charal Kid has won four of his latest five starts, including the $122,000 Sam Houston Derby.

Fans can watch the Zia Park Championship and many other American Quarter Horse races throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every American Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, December 2, 2009 – Despite a track record-setting performance in Saturday’s Texas Classic Futurity (G1), late-season upstart Tempting Dash was unable to dethrone All American Futurity (G1) heroine Runnning Brook Gal in balloting for the AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Poll for 2-year-olds. The top-ranked filly also was victorious over the weekend with a clear win the Southwest Juvenile Championship (G1) at Zia Park, beating the highly regarded duo of First Klas Fred (No. 3 this week) and First Prize Leesa (who rose to No. 6 this week).

Voters ranked Runnning Brook Gal on top with 89 of a possible 90 points in the poll. Tempting Dash registered 81 points. For the first time since September, however, the balloting was not unanimous in favor of Runnning Brook Gal. She garnered eight of nine first-place votes from the expert panel, as TVG analyst Mike Joyce sided with Tempting Dash at No. 1.

As for the 3-year-olds and older division, unanimous No. 1 Freaky remains at the highest perch. He is expected to headline the December 12 Champion of Champions (G1) at Los Alamitos. Others expected for the year-end showdown include No. 2 Inseparable, No. 3 Jess You And I, No. 5 Foose, No. 6 Fighter On Fire, and No. 10 Separate Bet. The big mover this week was Texas Classic Derby (G1) winner and 2008 AQHA World Champion Running American Quarter Horse Stolis Winner, who moved up to No. 8 in the national rankings with his top performance of the year.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS:

1.   RUNNNING BROOK GAL (89)
2.   TEMPTING DASH (81)
3.   FIRST KLAS FRED (72)
4.   THE PARTYS ON FIRE (49)
5.   STREAKIN LAQUINTA (47)
6.   FIRST PRIZE LEESA (37)
7.   SEZA FIRST RATIFY (35)
8.   ZOOMIN WITH EASE (21)
9.   JUMPN BEDUINO (18)
10. PEACE FIRE (15)

First Corona Call (9), Ragazzo (6), Apolitical Jess (6), Favorite Cartel (5), Shining First Dash (3), Eye Got The Blues (1), Saturday Nite Fever (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR OLDS & UP:

1.   FREAKY (90)
2.   INSEPERABLE (75)
3.   JESS YOU AND I (69)
4.   FIRST MOONFLASH (50)
5.   FOOSE (47)
6.   FIGHTER ON FIRE (37)
7.   TERRIFIC ENERGY (34)
8.   STOLIS WINNER (27)
9.   STYLISH JESS BR (21)
10. SEPARATE BET (15)

Alice K White (9), Little Bit Of Baja (8), Streakin Cherry (4), Fantastic Corona Jr (3), Charal Kid (2), Gone To The Mountain (2), Noconi (1), Jess Zoomin (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.


AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, November 26, 2009 – Older horses zip 300 yards to vie to become the first American Quarter Horse stakes winner at Hialeah Park —and likely the answer to a trivia question— in the $25,000 Bienvenido de Nuevo Stakes on Saturday afternoon at the historic South Florida track.

Saturday is the start of the inaugural Quarter Horse meet at Hialeah and is the first racing at the track since 2001.

Debra Gotovac’s Eyesa Western (Eyesa Special-Western Debt by Chicks Beduino) is suited for the Bienvenido de Nuevo Stakes after zipping to the optional-claiming win at 250 yards on October 17 at Lone Star Park. The Brad Bolen-trained gelding won by one length, a dominating margin at that very short distance.

In his two starts before that victory, he was a close fourth-place finisher in minor stakes at longer distances.

Jose Angel’s Hez Lights Out (Heza Fast Man-Cinderella Dash by Twaynas Dash) returns from a layoff after winning his two starts before sidelined. The Manuel Mata-trained gelding won a pair of starter allowance races at Remington Park by daylight margins.

Ciara Lucille Webb’s Gallant Ways (Make it Anywhere-Corona Bikini by Corona Cartel) fits well with the Bienvenido de Nuevo Stakes competition after proving his stakes value at Prairie Meadows for trainer Charlton Hunt. He comes off a second-place finish in the $45,000 Two River Stakes after racing on the lead in the 440-yard contest.

Gallant Ways surprised last year when he won the $200,000 Bayer Legend Derby Challenge (G1) over 400 yards at 27-1 odds.

Fans can watch every race of Hialeah Park's 2009/2010 meet on Q-Racing Video. Subscribers see actual live video from the racetracks, including post parade and racing action. It’s like watching a monitor at the track, but the action is on your computer from anywhere there’s Internet access. The archives allow subscribers to catch past performances and is a great handicapping tool for trip notes. Archived races for most tracks go back at least two years, allowing subscribers unparalleled access to past races. The subscription service will charge as little as $14.95 per month with a one-year agreement. Learn more at www.aqha.com/racingstream.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, November 25, 2009 – While all was quiet this past week in balloting for the AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top Ten Polls for 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds and older, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend figures to have a major impact on at least one of the lists. That’s because No. 3-rated juvenile Tempting Dash headlines Saturday’s Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park.

Runnning Brook Gal, the All American Futurity winner, remains the unanimous No. 1-ranked runner among the 2-year-olds this week. However, a late-season push by Tempting Dash could sway some voters for the top spot.

As for the 3-year-olds and older division, unanimous No. 1 Freaky holds all the aces as the December 12 Champion of Champions (G1) approaches. Others slated to compete in the Champion of Champions include No. 2 Inseparable, No. 3 Jess You And I, No. 5 Foose, No. 6 Fighter on Fire, No. 9 Separate Bet and No. 10 Little Bit of Baja.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS:

1.   RUNNNING BROOK GAL (90)
2.   FIRST KLAS FRED (79)
3.   TEMPTING DASH (60)
4.   THE PARTYS ON FIRE (56)
5.   STREAKIN LAQUINTA (55)
6.   SHEZA FIRST RATIFY (38)
7.   ZOOMIN WITH EASE (28)
8.   JUMP’N BEDUINO (23)
9.   PEACE FIRE (21)
10. FAVORITE CARTEL (12)

First Prize Leesa (8), First Corona Call (7), Ragazzo (7), Swingin Daddyo (2), Eye Got The Blues (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR OLDS & UP:

1.   FREAKY (90)
2.   INSEPERABLE (76)
3.   JESS YOU AND I (66)
4.   FIRST MOONFLASH (65)
5.   FOOSE (40)
6.   FIGHTER ON FIRE (39)
7.   TERRIFIC ENERGY (31)
8.   STYLISH JESS BR (27)
9.   SEPARATE BET (16)
10. LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (11)

Alice K White (10), Streakin Cherry (5), Charal Kid (5), Gone To The Mountain (4), Noconi (4), Stolis Winner (2), Fantastic Corona Jr (1), Jess Zoomin (1), My Lady First (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, November 23, 2009 -The officials at the legendary Hialeah Park Race Track are preparing to once again open the doors to welcome horsemen and patrons for the first time in eight years. The inaugural American Quarter Horse meet at the track near Miami, Florida, begins November 28.

Hialeah Park, hailed as one of the most beautiful racetracks in the world and home to a legendary flock of flamingos, opened in 1925 and hosted some of the greatest horses in Thoroughbred racing history, such as Seabiscuit, Citation, Seattle Slew and Spectacular Bid. It was also the backdrop for a number of movies, such as the 1989 Richard Dreyfuss comedy “Let it Ride,” and had a cameo in the opening credits of the 1980s television series “Miami Vice.”

The track, owned by John Brunetti, was shuttered in 2001. Since the meet was approved, workers have been pulling double shifts to get the track ready for next week’s opening, and things look promising. The 40-day meet, which runs through February 2, 2010, will feature eight American Quarter Horse races a day, with average purses of $100,000 per day.

Not only is it a boon to the sport of racing America’s fastest horse, but the return of racing to Hialeah will also boost the area’s economy. According to a city of Hialeah study, the track will directly and indirectly create 11,000 jobs.

“I asked an extended-stay hotel owner in Hialeah what Quarter Horse racing meant to her,” said Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association President Dr. Stephen Fisch. “She said it means the difference in breaking even over the 13 weeks we will race and $39,000 added to the bottom line.”

Dwayne Didericksen is serving as the horsemen’s representative. Didericksen has served at other tracks as an owner, trainer, steward, racing secretary and general manager, and currently serves as a member and chair of the AQHA Racing Committee and Racing Council.

“The racetrack surface itself is in excellent, excellent condition,” said Didericksen. “They tell me that in the Thoroughbred world, this is the most kind racetrack (to the horses’ legs) not only in Florida, but any place they go.”

The horses will live in portable stalls under tents with good air flow.

“It’s a huge property, with beautiful trees everywhere,” he said. “They’re working like heck on the grandstand. The paddock looks nice.”

Racing secretary Sam Abbey reported that of the 864 stalls they have, 820 have been allocated.

“I think the facility itself is going to be an excellent showcase,” Didericksen said. “If all the horses show up that applied, the race meet should be fine.”

Quarter Horsemen from around the country are heading to southern Florida for the meet from states as far flung as New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan.

Seven-consecutive-time champion trainer Paul Jones is bringing a string of horses to the Sunshine State. The leading trainer has conditioned the earners of more than $53 million, including world champions Whosleavingwho and Wave Carver. Other trainers attending include Donnie Strickland, Brad Bolen and Judd Kearl.

Opening weekend features the $25,000-added Bienvenido De Nuevo Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 300 yards, the $20,000-added Mockingbird Stakes for 2-year-olds at 220 yards and the $30,000-added Orange Blossom Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 550 yards.

Among the 34 nominations to the Bienvenido is Grade 1 winner Gallant Ways, a homebred who races for Clara Lucille Webb of Diamond, Missouri. The Make It Anywhere gelding has earned $184,905 and in his most recent start rallied for a second-place finish in the Two Rivers Stakes (G3) at Prairie Meadows.

There are 37 early nominations to the $100,000-added Hialeah Laddie Stakes and 36 to the $100,000-added Hialeah Lassie Stakes. Nominations in the Laddie include Swingin Daddyo, Debra Gotovac’s Agouti gelding who has already run out more than $140,000 while racing in the Grade 1 Ruidoso, All American and Dash For Cash futurities, and setting a track record at Lone Star Park. The finals for both races are scheduled for December 26.

“I was the racing secretary here from 1991 to 2001 with the Thoroughbreds,” said Abbey. “This is my favorite place on earth. The Brunettis have put a lot of money into this deal, and Hialeah looks like the old Hialeah. It’s gorgeous. Just absolutely gorgeous.”

Gates open at 11 a.m. on November 28, with free admission and free parking. First post is at 1:05 p.m. EST. The track will also host a live concert featuring Willy Chirino and Los Primeros. For more, visit www.hialeahparkracing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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November 12 - Fastest qualifier Acorn heads two horses from the Janet VanBebber barn, each finalists in the Sam Houston Futurity (G1), in Saturday’s Evangeline Downs Futurity at the Louisiana track. 

Rose Marie Chandler’s homebred Acorn (Oak Tree Special-Trio Gal (TB) by Tasso) stepped up with a very impressive trial victory when he romped home with a 3½ -length victory. The gelding stopped the timer in :20.336 at 400 yards. 

Acorn was sent off as the 6-5 Evangeline Downs Futurity trial favorite after winning back-to-back races before finishing sixth in the Sam Houston Futurity. He won his Sam Houston trial by more than a length. 

William Ruffin’s Fame 555 (Dash Ta Fame-Just A Dream Again by Sixarun) finished eighth in the Sam Houston Futurity and then was a close second in his Evangeline Futurity trial. He is the fifth-fastest qualifier at :20.738. 

Second-fastest qualifier Miss Snow Royale (This Snow Is Royal-Fance Loreeta by Reckless Dash) also competed in the Sam Houston Futurity. The Carlos Bejarano-owned filly rallied for fifth place in the Sam Houston Futurity before dominating her Evangeline Downs Futurity trial. The Joel Garza-trained lady drew off to win by more than three lengths with a :20.396 time.

Fans can watch the Evangeline Downs Futurity and many other American Quarter Horse races throughout the year by subscribing to Q-Racing Video. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video. For more information, visit aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, November 11, 2009 – Foose is on the loose in the latest AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top 10 Poll for 3-year-olds and older. His commanding Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1) victory shot the sophomore up to a No. 6 national ranking. The week’s other active heavyweight player, No. 4 First Moonflash, also visited the winner’s circle by taking the New Mexico Classic Cup Championship (RG1) at Zia Park. The win for First Moonflash was not enough in voters’ eyes to advance him further, as he remains behind Freaky, Inseparable and Jess You And I this week.

Meanwhile, voters chose to posthumously honor LD Fire with a No. 7 ranking among the nation’s leading 2-year-olds, one week after the Ed Burke Million Futurity heroine was euthanized following a pelvic fracture. LD Fire may be replaced in future rankings, but this week takes her place in the poll behind the likes of Runnning Brook Gal, who remains the unanimous No. 1 juvenile on the strength of her All American Futurity (G1) victory.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS

1.     RUNNNING BROOK GAL (90)
2.     FIRST KLAS FRED (78)
3.     SHEZA FIRST RATIFY (54)
4.     THE PARTYS ON FIRE (48)
5.     STREAKIN LAQUINTA (46)
6.     TEMPTING DASH (39)
7.     LD FIRE (38)
8.     PEACE FIRE (26)
9.     ZOOMIN WITH EASE (20)
10.   JUMPN BEDUINO (16)

First Corona Call (10), Ragazzo (8), Favorite Cartel (8), First Prize Leesa (7), Swingin Daddyo (5), Hoist Mission (4)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR OLDS & UP

1.    FREAKY (90)
2.    INSEPERABLE (81)
3.    JESS YOU AND I (69)
4.    FIRST MOONFLASH (51)
5.    FIGHTER ON FIRE (50)
6.    FOOSE (44)
7.    TERRIFIC ENERGY (30)
8.    STYLISH JESS BR (24)
9.    SEPARATE BET (19)
10.  LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (15)

Alice K White (10), Streakin Cherry (7), Fantastic Corona Jr (5), Charal Kid (5), Gone To The Mountain (4), Stolis Winner (2), Noconi (2), Saturday Nite Fever (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Journal, November 9, 2009 -- Equine industry alliance partners reached a general consensus involving humane treatment and equine welfare during a meeting October 20 and 21 at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum in Amarillo, Texas.

Attendees included representatives from the following organizations: the American Quarter Horse Association, United States Equestrian Federation, American Association of Equine Practitioners, National Cutting Horse Association, National Snaffle Bit Association, National Reining Horse Association, National Reined Cow Horse Association, United States Team Penning Association, American Paint Horse Association and Equine Canada.

“Never before have so many leaders in the performance-horse disciplines gotten together to seriously discuss medication and animal welfare in relation to our events,” said Gary Carpenter, AQHA's executive director of breed integrity and animal welfare. “In-depth discussions led to a good, overall agreement on these vital subjects and the direction we need to go in the future.”

Meeting participants discussed the merits of developing a uniform therapeutic medications program and humane treatment policies that could be adopted by all of the groups involved. Executive directors from these associations scheduled a follow-up meeting for January 2010.

For more information, contact Gary Carpenter at (806) 378-4332 or e-mail gcarpenter@aqha.org.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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America’s Horse, November 2, 2009 – American Quarter Horse Racing World Champion Be A Bono has moved to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions.

Be A Bono earned American Quarter Horse racing’s top honor when he was named the World Champion of 2004. He also earned champion 3-year-old and champion 3-year-old gelding honors for 2004.

Owned and bred by the late Spencer Childers of Fresno, California, the sorrel gelding was trained by Dan Francisco. Be A Bono was foaled February 22, 2001, and retired from racing as a 7-year-old. A true homebred, Be A Bono was the result of Childers’ breeding program that has spanned more than six decades. The gelding was sired by Childers’ homebred Bono Jazz and out of his homebred Be Peacefull, a Raise A Secret mare who has produced two stakes winners and a stakes-placed runner.

“AQHA is proud to have a true World Champion join the Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr. “As American Quarter Horses compete at the 2010 World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park, Be A Bono will be a great ambassador for the breed. I’d like to thank Vince Genco for making Be A Bono’s transfer to Kentucky possible.”

Be A Bono is the first world champion sired by Bono Jazz. The blaze-faced gelding finished his career with 14 wins in 26 starts and earned more than $1.3 million. In his final start, Be A Bono finished in a deadheat for the win in an allowance race December 22, 2007, and left the sport as the 19th-richest American Quarter Horse of all time.

Be A Bono is the only horse to finish second twice in the Champion of Champions – losing both races by a nose. Childers’ homebred won the first seven races of his career. His big victories included consecutive renewals of the Vessels Maturity (G1), the Golden State Futurity (G1), the Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1), the Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1) and three consecutive wins in the race named after his owner-breeder – the Spencer Childers California Breeders Championship Handicap (RG1).

Childers, who owned American Quarter Horses before AQHA was founded in 1940 and has bred American Quarter Horses every year since 1949, died July 9, 2009, at age 97.

A longtime resident of Fresno, California, where he and his late wife, Florence, maintained their breeding farm, Childers was the fifth-all-time leading breeder of racing American Quarter Horses at the time of his death. Childers began breeding racehorses with his purchase in 1957 of champion Black Easter Bunny. In his own name, Childers bred 901 American Quarter Horses, including 657 starters, of which 462 are winners. Among them are 46 stakes winners, 37 stakes placers and the earners to date of $12,077,087. In addition to Be A Bono, Childers bred and raced champions Black Sable, Blobby Charger, Bunny’s Bar Maid, Jet View and Uncas. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2002.

Be A Bono will become part of an elite group of champion horses that reside at the park’s Hall of Champions. Be A Bono joins Thoroughbred legends Cigar, Funny Cide and Da Hoss; champion American Saddlebred CH Gypsy Supreme; and Standardbred Pacers Western Dreamer and Staying Together.

The Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm/theme park and equine competition facility dedicated to man’s relationship with the horse. The park is an agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that hosted nearly 900,000 visitors and campers, as well as 15,000 competition horses in more than 100 special events and horse shows in 2008. The park is home to the National Horse Center, which comprises more than 30 national and regional equine organizations. Located at Exit 120, Interstate 75, just north of Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is the place to get close to horses. Open daily March 15 to October 31, and Wednesday through Sunday, November 1 to March 14.
 
AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October 30, 2009 – Three of the hottest southern California females are the horses to beat in the $125,000 Merial Distaff Challenge (G1) at 400 yards during the Bank of America Challenge Championships on October 31 at Los Alamitos Race Course.

The females with the home-track advantage are Terrific Energy and the Paul Jones-trained pair of Stylish Jess BR and Answer The Dream.

The Parsons Family Trust-owned Terrific Energy (Mr Jess Perry-First Down Energy by First Down Dash) is well-positioned to earn the 2009 champion aged mare title. The Chris O’Dell-trained mare has Grade 1 wins in the January 3 Charger Bar Handicap and the September 19 Mildred Vessels Handicap, the top-two races for distaffers at Los Alamitos. She comes off an impressive 1-length tally in the Mildred Vessels when she rolled with an impressive :19.286 time for the 400 yards.

Benny Rosset’s Stylish Jess BR (Feature Mr Jess-Stylish Secret by Dash For Cash) defeated Terrific Energy in the Merial California Distaff Challenge (G3) as the 11-10 favorite and would boost her championship credentials with a win Saturday night. The 4-year-old has lined up against the best older males this year; the Merial California Distaff Challenge is her sole start against strictly female company in her latest eight.

Answer The Dream (Tres Seis-Three Dee Dreams by Heza Fast Man) had a productive spring at Remington Park, with back-to-back stakes wins in the May 10 Merial Oklahoma Distaff Challenge and the May 30 Juno Request Stakes (G3). After a summer layoff, she came back to finish a non-threatening ninth in the Mildred Vessels at Los Alamitos, but figures to improve off that race.

Answer The Dream, a homebred racing for J. Garvan Kelly, Nancy Yearsley and J. Lloyd Yother, enjoys 400 yards with eight on-the-board finishes from 13 400-yard starts.

The $125,000 Merial Challenge Distaff Challenge is scheduled as the ninth race on Saturday’s card. Following are the post positions and morning-line odds of the field:

1. I Opening Sensation 12-1
2. Tombstone Tina 30-1
3. Terrific Energy 4-5
4. Stylish Jess BR 2-1
5. Strength In Numbers 8-1
6. As Takin First 20-1
7. Starsmith 30-1
8. Panther Purr 30-1
9. Answer The Dream 15-1
10. Baby La Jolla 10-1

The Bank of America Racing Challenge began in 1993 and since that time has distributed more than $52 million to breeders and owners of racing American Quarter Horses. 2009 marks the 17th year of the program with 71 regional, championship and undercard races. There is $5 million in total purses and awards for 2009, thanks to corporate partners, host tracks, horsemen and the Bank of America Racing Challenge Purse Fund. The Bank of America Racing Challenge was created to increase racing opportunities for older racing American Quarter Horses, but the benefit of nominating is often seen in the sale ring where Challenge-enrolled horses have historically brought more money.

The Bank of America Racing Challenge is the richest and most successful program in American Quarter Horse racing today – a championship series developed for the “World’s Fastest Horse.” The Bank of America Racing Challenge will culminate with the six Challenge Championship races and six undercard Challenge stakes races on Saturday, October 31, at Los Alamitos Race Course in Los Alamitos, California. To learn more about the Bank of America Racing Challenge, visit racing.aqha.com/racing/challenge/index.aspx.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October 29, 2009 – Anticipation for the 2009 Bank of America Challenge Championships is continuing to build as the final preparations are taking place for the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) on Saturday, October 31. The race is the marquee event of the Championship night.

Adan Farias’ trainee Fighter On Fire and Trisk, who is trained by seven-time AQHA champion trainer Paul Jones, will have the home-track advantage in the 440-yard stakes race. The winner of the Bank of America Challenge Championship earns a berth in the $750,000 Champion of Champions (G1) on December 12 at Los Alamitos.

Rancho El Alacran’s Fighter On Fire (First Down Dash-Chenille by Merridoc) won the August 22 Bank of America California Championship Challenge (G2) two starts ago over Trisk and the Grade 1-winning mare Strength In Numbers, who will compete in the Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) on Saturday. On June 19, Fighter On Fire was third in the Vessels Maturity (G1) behind American Quarter Horse racing’s No. 1 ranked horse Freaky.

Lucas Racing’s Trisk (First Down Dash-Runaway Wave by Runaway Winner) was second behind Fighter On Fire in the Bank of America California Challenge and third in the Spencer Childers California Breeders’ Championship (G1).

Fighter On Fire and Rylees Boy (Heza Motor Scooter-Pipistrelle by Rocky Jones) are the morning line favorites at 3-1. Gerardo Ochoa’s Rylees Boy has set two track records this year. The 4-year-old bay gelding was enrolled into the Challenge program in September for the $20,000 late fee after being nearly perfect in 2009 with six wins and one second-place finish in seven starts. Rylees Boy won the West/Southwest Championship Challenge (G3) at Turf Paradise on October 18 by 1 1/2 lengths.

The $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship will be the 10th race on the card. Following are the post positions and morning-line odds of the field:

1. Snip N Dash 8-1
2. Captains Road 30-1
3. Trisk 12-1
4. Easy Dashin Sixes 8-1
5. Fighter On Fire 3-1
6. Brindis Por Cayenne 30-1
7. Little Bit Of Baja 9-5
8. Mayo First 20-1
9. Bannow Bay 30-1
10. Rylees Boy 3-1
11. Head Bud 30-1
 

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October 29, 2009 –  Veteran trainer Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath is the consummate horseman; he has the dangerous Jodys Money Pop in the Bayer Legend Challenge Derby Championship (G1) over 400 yards at the Bank of America Challenge Championships on October 31 at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Jim Pitts’ Jodys Money Pop (Jody O Toole-Gotta Money Pop by Man In The Money) earned his spot in the Bayer Legend Derby Championship with a win in the Bayer Legend Texas Derby Challenge (G3) on July 11 and has been pointing to the Bayer Legend Challenge Derby Championship (G1) since that neck victory as the 22-10 favorite.

Jodys Money Pop has been consistent by finishing on the board in 10 of 11 starts with five wins. He won the $419,000 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1) and was third in the $400,000 West Texas Futurity (G1).

Sammy and Johnny Martinez’s Call Me Tater (Shazoom-Wait Watch Her by Mr Eye Opener) takes a jump in class for the Bayer Legend Challenge Derby Championship after three wins and a close second in his latest four starts for trainer Sam Martinez. He won the Grade 3 Bayer Legend Oklahoma Derby Challenge at Blue Ribbon Downs in his latest start.

Reyes Salcedo’s Saturday Nite Fever (Check Him Out-Dashingatac by First Down Dash) qualified for the Bayer Legend Challenge Derby Championship with a mild upset win in the Bayer Legend California Derby Challenge at Los Alamitos. He won by a neck in :19.481 for 400 yards.

The $200,000 Bayer Legend Challenge Derby Championship is the eighth race on Saturday’s card. Following are the post positions and morning-line odds of the field:

1. Extraordinaress 10-1
2. Jodys Money Pop 4-1
3. Iona Corona 10-1
4. Skyline Lover 8-1
5. Lassie O Toole 4-1
6. Eyesa Dreamin 20-1
7. Call Me Tater 10-1
8. Saturday Nite Fever 9-5
9. Quattro 30-1
10. Lady Streakin Leader 15-1
 
The Bank of America Racing Challenge began in 1993 and since that time has distributed more than $52 million to breeders and owners of racing American Quarter Horses. 2009 marks the 17th year of the program with 71 regional, championship and undercard races. There is $5 million in total purses and awards for 2009, thanks to corporate partners, host tracks, horsemen and the Bank of America Racing Challenge Purse Fund. The Bank of America Racing Challenge was created to increase racing opportunities for older racing American Quarter Horses, but the benefit of nominating is often seen in the sale ring where Challenge-enrolled horses have historically brought more money.

The Bank of America Racing Challenge is the richest and most successful program in American Quarter Horse racing today – a championship series developed for the “World’s Fastest Horse.” The Bank of America Racing Challenge will culminate with the six Challenge Championship races and six undercard Challenge stakes races on Saturday, October 31, at Los Alamitos Race Course in Los Alamitos, California. To learn more about the Bank of America Racing Challenge, visit racing.aqha.com/racing/challenge/index.aspx.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October 28, 2009 – A track record-setting performance by Tempting Dash in Saturday’s Grade 1 Dash for Cash Futurity final at Lone Star Park launched the juvenile from obscurity to No. 7 in the latest AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Poll for 2-year-olds. The full brother to Grade 1 winner A Tempting Dash remained unbeaten in two career starts while running 400 yards in :19.379.

Meanwhile, All American Futurity winner Runnning Brook Gal remains unanimously atop the 2-year-old rankings, the same perch held by leading older horse Freaky in the 3-year-old and older divisional poll. The only change this week to the older horse rankings came with Charal Kid debuting in the poll at No. 10. The Dash For Cash Derby winner upset favorite and reigning AQHA World Champion Stolis Winner last Saturday at Lone Star Park.

The rankings are braced for change this week as a plethora of major races will be held at the Bank of America Challenge Championships at Los Alamitos on Saturday night. Among the top-rated horses slated to appear include First Moonflash and distance stalwart Snowbound Superstar. Also at Los Al, the Grade 1 Golden State Million Futurity will be renewed Friday night, featuring No. 3-ranked juvenile LD Fire.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS
    1.  RUNNNING BROOK GAL (90)
    2.  FIRST KLAS FRED (77)
    3.  LD FIRE (67)
    4.  SHESA FIRST RATIFY (51)
    5.  STREAKIN LAQUINTA (43)
    6.  ZOOMIN WITH EASE (40)
    7.  TEMPTING DASH (28)
    8.  JUMPN BEDUINO (25)
    9.  PEACE FIRE (24)
    10.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (16)
First Corona Call (12), Favorite Cartel (8), Ragazzo (6), Swingin Daddyo (4), Eye Got The Blues (2), EBW Obsession (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
    1.  FREAKY (90)
    2.  INSEPERABLE (77)
    3.  JESS YOU AND I (73)
    4.  FIRST MOONFLASH (53)
    5.  TERRIFIC ENERGY (49)
    6.  SEPARATE BET (43)
    7.  SNOWBOUND SUPERSTAR (29)
    8.  ALICE K WHITE (28)
    9.  STREAKIN CHERRY (16)
    10.  CHARAL KID (12)
Little Bit Of Baja (11), Fantastic Corona Jr (6), Time For A Cigar (2), Stolis Winner (2), Jessanotheraffair (2), Rylees Boy (2)

Poll results are available each week at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October 28, 2009 - A rematch of historic proportion takes center stage Saturday as champion Snowbound Superstar, winner of an American Quarter Horse record 15 consecutive races, meets 870-yard world-record holder Gone To The Mountain in the $125,000 Red Cell Racing Challenge Distance Championship (G1) over 870 yards during the Bank Of America Challenge Championships at Los Alamitos Race Course in Los Alamitos, California.

The two incredible geldings met once before, in the Red Cell Oklahoma Distance Challenge at Remington Park, with Snowbound Superstar (Snowbound (TB)-Shania Cash by Oh My Gee Whiz) gaining the neck victory in a classic duel that many horsemen call the best American Quarter Horse race of 2009.

Tom and Brenda Brinkley’s Snowbound Superstar, who is based at Los Alamitos in the Paul Jones barn, was then given a breather before surfacing in the Red Cell California Distance Challenge and was forced to work for his record-setting 15th consecutive victory. He blew the turn and had to catch the front-running Bad Act, who is also in the Red Cell Racing Challenge Distance Championship. Snowbound Superstar showed his enormous class by getting to the front in the final yard and prevailing in the photo by a nose.

Clyde Woerner’s homebred Gone To The Mountain (Panther Mountain-Lindys Bouquet by Fast Lindy) has been sensational since stepping up to the 870-yard distance in the past year. Last spring he set the 870-yard world record at Sunland Park when he won the Grade 3 Red Cell New Mexico Distance Challenge by more than 7 lengths in :43.029.

Trainer Wes Giles prepared Gone To The Mountain for the Red Cell Distance Championship with two impressive 870-yard wins at Zia Park. He rolled to a 2-length win in a $37,000 allowance race and then won the $55,000 Herman Jefferson Stakes under a tight hold by three-quarters of a length.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October 21, 2009 – First Klas Fred jumped one spot in this week’s AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top Ten Poll for 2-year-olds, rising to No. 2 nationally behind All American Futurity winner Runnning Brook Gal. He swapped places with LD Fire, who made no missteps in winning her Golden State Million Futurity trial Saturday night at Los Alamitos with the second-fastest qualifying time.

Meanwhile, no changes took place atop the poll for 3-year-olds and older, as the dynamic Freaky resides in his unanimous loft in the No. 1 slot. Despite a track record-setting performance at Turf Paradise in last weekend’s Bank of America West/Southwest Challenge Championship, the pollsters did not reward Rylees Boy with a national ranking.

Both polls could be shaken up after this weekend’s Grade 1 double of the Dash For Cash Futurity and Derby at Lone Star Park. Reigning AQHA World Champion Stolis Winner was the fastest Derby qualifier and could reemerge on the national scene with a rousing performance.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS:

1.     RUNNNING BROOK GAL (90)
2.     FIRST KLAS FRED (74)
3.     LD FIRE (69)
4.     STREAKIN LAQUINTA (50)
5.     SHEZA FIRST RATIFY (46)
6.     ZOOMIN WITH EASE (39)
7.     PEACE FIRE (32)
8.     FIRST PRIZE LEESA (21)
9.     JUMPN BEDUINO (19)
10.   FAVORITE CARTEL (12)

Swingin Daddyo (10), Ragazzo (8), First Corona Call (8), Eye Got The Blues (5), Twin Spires (4), EBW Obsession (2), Dealagame (2)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR OLDS & UP:

1.      FREAKY (90)
2.      INSEPERABLE (78)
3.      JESS YOU AND I (69)
4.      FIRST MOONFLASH (53)
5.      TERRIFIC ENERGY (51)
6.      SEPARATE BET (37)
7.      ALICE K WHITE (29)
8.      SNOWBOUND SUPERSTAR (26)
9.      STREAKIN CHERRY (17)
10.    LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (11)

Fantastic Corona Jr (10), Stolis Winner (6), Stylish Jess BR (5), Time For A Cigar (5), Jessanotheraffair (4), My Lady First (3), Noconi (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are available each week at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October 14, 2009 – It’s unanimous atop the AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Polls for both 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds and older. Even with a win and a loss by the top-ranked individuals last week, there was no doubt among pollsters that Freaky and Runnning Brook Gal lead their respective divisions.

Freaky cemented his perch atop the 3-year-old and older rankings with an authoritative score in the Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational (G1), besting a group that included last week’s No. 2 Jess You and I. With the defeat, Jess You And I dropped to No. 3 this week as Inseperable now holds the No. 2 ranking.

The result was not as emphatic for Runnning Brook Gal, the All American Futurity (G1) heroine, who was upended in the finals of the Hobbs America Futurity (G3) at Zia Park over the weekend. Hobbs winner First Klas Fred rose to No. 3 in this week’s poll as the experts unanimously agreed to keep Runnning Brook Gal on top after a runner-up finish by a neck that was compromised by some bumping. First Klas Fred missed the No. 2 ranking by a single point in the polling, still chasing LD Fire, dead-heat winner of the Ed Burke Million Futurity this summer.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS

1.  RUNNNING BROOK GAL (90)
2.  LD FIRE (68) 
3.  FIRST KLAS FRED (67)
4.  STREAKIN LAQUINTA (51)
5.  SHESA FIRST RATIFY (48)
6.  ZOOMIN WITH EASE (40)
7.  PEACE FIRE (37)
8.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (21)
9.  JUMPN BEDUINO (19)
10. FAVORITE CARTEL (16)

Also receiving votes: Ragazzo (9), Swingin Daddyo (9), First Corona Call (8), Twin Spires (4), Eye Got The Blues (3)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
 
1.  FREAKY (90)
2.  INSEPERABLE (80)
3.  JESS YOU AND I (70)
4.  FIRST MOONFLASH (53)
5.  TERRIFIC ENERGY (51)
6.  SEPARATE BET (37)
7.  ALICE K WHITE (29)
8.  SNOWBOUND SUPERSTAR (26)
9.  STREAKIN CHERRY (15)
10. LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (13)

Also receiving votes: Fantastic Corona Jr (10), Stolis Winner (6), Stylish Jess BR (5), Time For A Cigar (5), Jessanotheraffair (4), My Lady First (3), Noconi (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October 7, 2009 – The stage is set this week as Freaky and Jess You And I remain atop the latest AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Poll for 3-year-olds and older. The nation’s top two shortliners are on a collision course Saturday in the Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational (G1). That’s just one of two must-see matchups this weekend.

All American Futurity (G1) winner Runnning Brook Gal, the top-rated 2-year-old, returns to action Saturday in the Hobbs America Futurity (G3) at Zia Park. There, she’ll rematch with No. 4-ranked Shesa First Ratify, the All American runner-up and fastest-qualifier to the Hobbs America Futurity and a filly who could have designs on the top spot with a win Saturday.

The past week’s fastest mover among the older horses was Refrigerator Handicap (G1) winner Streakin Cherry, whose victory at Lone Star Park put him just outside the top 10.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS
1.  RUNNNING BROOK GAL (90)
2.  LD FIRE (70)
3.  STREAKIN LAQUINTA (60)
4.  SHESA FIRST RATIFY (51)
5.  ZOOMIN WITH EASE (50)
6.  PEACE FIRE (40)
7.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (29)
8.  FAVORITE CARTEL (26)
9.  FIRST KLAS FRED (22)
10. JUMPN BEDUINO (18)
 Ragazzo (11), Eye Got The Blues (10), First Corona Call (8), Twin Spires (5)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
1.  FREAKY (87)
2.  JESS YOU AND I (80)
3.  INSEPERABLE (74)
4.  FIRST MOONFLASH (52)
5.  TERRIFIC ENERGY (46)
6.  SEPARATE BET (35)
7.  ALICE K WHITE (30)
8.  SNOWBOUND SUPERSTAR (23)
9.  LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (14)
10. FANTASTIC CORONA JR (10)
Streakin Cherry (9), Time For A Cigar (8), Jessanotheraffair (8), Stylish Jess BR (5), Fighter On Fire (3), My Lady First (3), Noconi (2)

The nine voters are:
Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results also are available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, October 6, 2009 - Bucking the trends in a poor economic market, purses and handle for American Quarter Horse racing both rose during the month of September.

Purses rose 2.4 percent over the same period last year, from $12,295,182 to $12,585,406. Additionally, purses in the year-to-date have also seen growth, up seven-tenths of a percent over last year, according to statistics released by the American Quarter Horse Association.

In comparison, purses in Thoroughbred racing, according to Equibase, have dropped more than 6 percent in September and more than 7 percent over the year.

American Quarter Horse racing handle rose 3.3 percent in September, as compared to the same period last year, going from $25,102,630 to $25,939,282. The year-to-date figures for handle show numbers only slightly dropping from last year, down 3 percent from $258,174,469 to $250,427,396.

Thoroughbred racing saw handle drop eight-tenths of a percent in September, while the sport's yearly handle has dropped more than 10 percent.

“All things considered, this is excellent news, especially considering what’s happening to the Thoroughbred industry,” said AQHA Executive Director of Racing Trey Buck. “A month ago – when the August numbers came in – I spoke about how resilient and robust the industry was, and this makes me feel even better about how things are going. We’ve done everything we can to keep purses and handle as high as possible – and so have the tracks and sponsors … the whole industry, really. I’m particularly encouraged by the fact that the number of starters is up over last year. Everyone in Quarter Horse racing that has hung in there and helped keep it strong deserves a ‘Thank you.’”

The number of American Quarter Horse races run to date, compared to last year, is down 2.1 percent to 7,222. The average purse per race has risen 2.9 percent to $12,990. In addition, the number of American Quarter Horse starters to date has risen eight-tenths of a percent to 16,051.

For more information on American Quarter Horse racing, visit www.aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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America’s Horse, October 6, 2009 – The All American Quarter Horse Congress is underway in Columbus, Ohio, and the American Quarter Horse Foundation is campaigning to connect people with American Quarter Horses through therapeutic riding.

The Because of a Horse campaign is raising needed funds for America’s Horse Cares and giving riders the ability to fly without wings on the back of an American Quarter Horse. America’s Horse Cares is the therapeutic riding assistance program of the Foundation. It's because of a horse that people with special needs can obtain the freedom so many of us already enjoy.

At Congress, exhibitors and spectators are asked to send a text message as a $10 pledge to support this worthy cause. Visit the AQHA booth at Congress to learn the details and see how your $10 text donation can make a huge difference. You can help someone fly without wings on the back of an American Quarter Horse.

Not attending the world’s largest American Quarter Horse show? Even if you aren't in Columbus, you can still participate with your $10 pledge by visiting www.americashorsecares.com. Your tax-deductible donation can help connect horses with people who need them.

To see the difference you can make in the life of a therapeutic rider, visit www.aqha.com/foundation/becauseofahorse.html. The “Fly Without Wings” video will be playing in several locations around Congress. You won’t want to miss the special appearance by 2007 MD Barns Silver Spur winner Tippys Sugar Bar on October 23 in the Celeste Center. “Tippy” will appear with three of the young riders that she has impacted as a therapeutic riding horse.

Don’t think your $50, $20 or even $10 donation can make a difference? Every dollar counts!

The cost of a lesson ranges from $57 to $315 per one-hour session and averages about $136. Most of the reduced rates that clients pay are $20-30. Based on the numbers, this hardly makes a dent in the actual cost of a therapeutic session. But America’s Horse Cares grants help offset these costs.

With your help, therapeutic riding centers can afford to purchase other needed supplies such as a riding helmet (which costs approximately $30), a bag of horse feed ($12.99), a round bale of coastal hay ($80), a bag of shavings ($7), a set of new horse shoes ($80) or any number of the needed supplies to keep the equine heroes healthy and providing lessons.

Thanks to the many donors and support from AQHA Corporate Partner Farnam, the Foundation has awarded more than $298,000 in assistance to more than 98 centers across the country, but there are many more requests for funding that have not been met. The Foundation’s partnerships with Farnam and NARHA offer rich and rewarding experiences that will provide many challenged individuals with confidence and self-esteem through therapeutic riding sessions.

Each year, more children and adults with disabilities whose lives, limbs and language are limited are positively impacted by riding a horse. Whether it is autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, spina bifida or other disability, horses are making a measurable impact on their lives.

Want to go beyond a one-time donation? To learn how you or your organization can become more involved in supporting America’s Horse Cares, visit www.aqha.com/foundation, donate securely online at www.aqha.com/donatetoday or contact the Foundation at (806) 378-5029 or foundation@aqha.org.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, September 30, 2009 – An AQHA record 15th consecutive victory by Snowbound Superstar could not be overlooked by voters in the latest AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Poll for 3-year-olds and older. The sport’s dominant distance horse now has a place among the game’s best dashers, moving to No. 8 this week in the national poll. Snowbound Superstar becomes the first distance horse to be ranked in the inaugural season of the polling.

Snowbound Superstar overcame a tremendous amount of trouble to win Sunday’s Red Cell California Distance Challenge at Los Alamitos, scoring by a nose and earning a date to the Bank of America Challenge Championships over his home track on October 31.

Despite a setback in the trials for the Hobbs America Futurity, Runnning Brook Gal remains the unanimous No. 1 in the voting for 2-year-olds. The All American Futurity heroine still qualified fourth-fastest to the Grade 1 Hobbs America Futurity final, which will be held October 11 at Zia Park. Shesa First Ratify, fastest qualifier for the Hobbs, moved up three spaces this week to No. 4 in the poll.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS
1.  RUNNNING BROOK GAL (90)
2.  LD FIRE (69)
3.  STREAKING LAQUINTA (60)
4.  SHESA FIRST RATIFY (56)
5.  ZOOMIN WITH EASE (53)
6.  PEACE FIRE (42)
7.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (30)
8.  FIRST KLAS FRED (27)
9.  FAVORITE CARTEL (24)
10. RAGAZZO (17)
First Corona Call (8), Eye Got The Blues (8), Twin Spires (6), Effectiveimmediately (2), Love Samba (1), Varsity Girl (1), Memories Of Okie (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
1.  FREAKY (87)
2.  JESS YOU AND I (80)
3.  INSEPERABLE (73)
4.  FIRST MOONFLASH (48)
5.  SEPARATE BET (46)
6.  TERRIFIC ENERGY (42)
7.  ALICE K WHITE (35)
8.  SNOWBOUND SUPERSTAR (29)
9.  LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (17)
10. TIME FOR A CIGAR (12)
Fantastic Corona Jr (11), Noconi (6), Fighter On Fire (4), My Lady First (4), Stylish Jess BR (3), Royal Proclamation (2)

The nine voters are:
Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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America’s Horse, September 28, 2009 -- What’s a TV network without a news broadcast? Twice a month, you’ll find a news segment on America’s Horse TV, AQHA’s free online television network. AQHA News is filled with the latest information from the world of the American Quarter Horse including racing and show updates, and other industry items of interest. Just go to americashorse.tv and click on “News” in the upper right-hand corner.

Like all of the other videos on America’s Horse TV, the news videos use Flash technology, which allows viewers to instantly watch without waiting for a download. America’s Horse TV is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no need for a special cable provider or subscription. All you need is a computer and Internet access.

America’s Horse TV features six channels:

• America’s Horse – sponsored by Tractor Supply Co.; flagship channel containing AQHA’s anchor program. It features new and classic episodes for all horse enthusiasts.
• How-To – sponsored by Tractor Supply Co.; provides important information and instruction for horse owners on everything from learning how to lead your horse, to picking out tack and perfecting your horse’s gaits. AQHA’s Team Wrangler participates in these segments.
• People & Horses – sponsored by John Deere; profiles American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductees and well-known American Quarter Horses.
• Health – sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health; educational programming dedicated to the health and welfare of American Quarter Horses. It includes features on vaccinating, breeding, general care and product spotlights.
• Ranches – sponsored by FedEx; features award-winning ranches and remudas.
• Events – sponsored by Bank of America; spotlights AQHA and alliance partner competitions and signature events.

America’s Horse TV is free, thanks to AQHA’s corporate partners. Be sure to check out special offers from the generous supporters. To learn more about America’s Horse TV, visit americashorse.tv/about.html.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, September 23, 2009 – Terrific Energy parlayed her victory in last Saturday’s Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap (G1) into a No. 6 spot in the latest AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Poll for 3-year-olds and older. Meanwhile, the nation’s top-rated 2-year-old, Runnning Brook Gal, prepares for her next start in Saturday’s Hobbs America Futurity (G3) trials at Zia Park.

Terrific Energy’s stakes-record time of :19.286 for 400 yards in Los Alamitos’ Millie Vessels Memorial propelled her into the national discussion. At the top, the rankings for older horses remained firm this week, led by Freaky, who happens to own the two fastest times ever recorded at Los Alamitos for 400 yards, and the fastest at 350.

The 2-year-old rankings remained unchanged, paced by All American Futurity winner Runnning Brook Gal, who returns to the races in New Mexico on Saturday. Other ranked juveniles entered in the Hobbs America Futurity trials include No. 7 Shesa First Ratify, the All American runner-up, and No. 9 First Klas Fred, hero of the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS

1.  RUNNNING BROOK GAL (90)
2.  LD FIRE (74)
3.  STREAKING LAQUINTA (61)
4.  ZOOMIN WITH EASE (52)
5.  PEACE FIRE (42)
6.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (34)
7.  SHESA FIRST RATIFY (31)
8.  RAGAZZO (28)
9.  FIRST KLAS FRED (21)
10. FIRST CORONA CALL (15)

Eye Got The Blues (10), Twin Spires (6), Love Samba (2), Varsity Girl (2), Effectiveimmediately (2), Memories Of Okie (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
1.  FREAKY (86)
2.  JESS YOU AND I (79)
3.  INSEPERABLE (74)
4.  FIRST MOONFLASH (50)
5.  SEPARATE BET (48)
6.  TERRIFIC ENERGY (41)
7.  ALICE K WHITE (33)
8.  TIME FOR A CIGAR (18)
9.  LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (17)
10. FANTASTIC CORONA JR (16)

Fighter On Fire (9), Noconi (7), My Lady First (4), Stylish Jess BR (3), Royal Proclamation (3), Cuz Eye Said (2), Easy Dashin Sixes (2), Gone To The Mountain (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, September 17, 2009 – Benny Rosset’s Stylish Jess BR should be the choice to defend her 2008 win in the $175,000 Mildred Vessels Memorial Handicap (G1) over 400 yards on Saturday night at Los Alamitos after winning the Merial California Distaff Challenge in her most recent start.

The Mildred Vessels winner receives an invitation to the $750,000 Champion Of Champions (G1).

Stylish Jess BR (Feature Mr Jess-Stylish Secret by Dash For Cash) moved to the forefront of the west coast distaff ranks when she won the Merial California Distaff Challenge by one length as the 11-10 favorite. She raced the 400 yards in :19.34 for her first win since taking her Los Alamitos Winter Derby trial.

The Paul Jones-trained mare faces strictly female competition for the first time since she won last year’s Millie Vessels. A year ago, as a 3-year-old, she easily won by half of a length as the 13-10 favorite.

The Rosset-Jones connection also will be represented by the 6-year-old Strength In Numbers. She shortens in distance after finishing third in the 440-yard Bank Of America California Challenge (G2) behind the males Fighter On Fire and stablemate Trisk.

Strength In Numbers earned championship consideration in 2007 when she beat the boys in the Los Alamitos Championship (G1).

The Parsons Family Trust’s Terrific Energy (Mr Jess Perry-First Down Energy by First Down Dash) has become a dangerous mare for trainer Chris O’Dell in the past year. She won the Charger Bar Handicap (G1) on January 3 and then returned from a layoff to finish second behind Stylish Jess BR in the Merial California Distaff Challenge.

Ed Allred’s homebred Forgive Him (Hawkinson-Making Up by Master Hand (TB)) is ready to handle the class jump for the Millie Vessels. The Cody Joiner-trained mare won the Huntington Harbor Handicap in February, was rested and then return to finish second in the California Breeders Matron Stakes.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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America’s Horse, September 16, 2009 -- Join hundreds of fans on the American Quarter Horse Association’s Facebook page every Wednesday at 1 p.m. CDT for the Guess That Horse Contest.

This popular, fast-paced contest challenges you to guess the name of the American Quarter Horse depicted in a photo posted by AQHA staff. AQHA provides hints, and many fans have found success using AQHA Records Research to be the first to get the correct answer.

The winner receives a great prize, often from an AQHA Corporate Partner  or Quarter Horse Outfitters. Past prizes include $50 gift cards and discount coupons.

AQHA’s Facebook page has more than 16,000 fans and covers a wide range of topics including horse health, training, breeding, showing, racing and recreational riding. Become a fan today, and set your calendar to tune in every Wednesday at 1 p.m. CDT for the Guess That Horse Contest and your chance to win a great prize!

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, September 7, 2009 - The only horse to qualify to all three of Ruidoso's major futurities, Runnning Brook Gal demolished the field in the $1.9 million All American Futurity (G1).



The filly by freshman sire Brookstone Bay lept from the gates and went straight to the front over a wet track. She finished the 440 yards 1 1/2 lengths in front of Shesa First Ratify, completing the distance in :21.144. First Corona Call was another nose back in third.



Runnning Brook Gal is a dark bay filly owned by A & C Racing and Roping of Roosevelt, Utah. A & C Racing and Roping is made up of Albert, Chad and Patricia Richard. The homebred filly is one of two the Richards' qualified to the race. Runnning Brook Gal and Brooks Midnight, another daughter of Brookstone Bay, were raised together in the same pasture, and both qualified to the final of the All American Futurity. However, Brooks Midnight was scratched.

Last year, A&C Racing and Roping's Winners Version finished seventh in the All American Futurity (G1).



Paul Jones trained Runnning Brook Gal, and today was his third All American victory -- all done over a wet track. He won in 2005 with Teller Cartel, and the following year with No Secrets Here. Ramon Sanchez was aboard Runnning Brook Gal, and earned his first win in the prestigious race.



"You don't know what kind of performance you're going to get," Jones said. "You load 'em up and you find out what's going to happen. She's a good filly. She's been really super all year long. She qualified to the Ruidoso, qualified to the Rainbow, came back and ran second. She qualified to the All American. This filly is quick from the gates, and she's going to give you a good race if she breaks. It's a good group of horses here. She broke, she ran and she beat 'em. It was awesome. We're so happy.



"We've had a super weekend," he added. "We won the (Grade 1 All American) Derby with Inseperable; and we won the Futurity. It doesn't get any better than this."



Runnning Brook Gal has now won four of six starts, finished second once and sixth once. She has earned $1,125,950. She broke her maiden at first asking on May 22 in a trial to the Ruidoso Futurity (G1). Returning for the final, she hopped at the start and finished sixth. In the Rainbow Futurity (G1), she finished second to Zoomin With Ease.



Chad Richards owned Brookstone Bay during his racing career, and currently owns him in partnership with Jim Helzer. The stallion stands at JEH Stallion Station-New Mexico.



Runnning Brook Gal is the first foal out of RJK Runaway, a daughter of Runaway Winner out of the Magic Dozen mare Bizarre. RJK Runaway's third dam is Femme, the dam of distinction who produced champions Femmes Frolic and Deceptively.



Shesa First Ratify is a homebred racing for Sandy Erwin of Dallas. The First Down Dash filly was trained by Jose Dominguez and ridden by Bonfiacio Perez. First Corona Call is also a homebred, and is raced by Richard Shearer. He was trained by Blane Wood and ridden by Freddie Martinez.



Favorite and fastest qualifier Love Samba was fifth.

"The filly was standing real good in the gates, but when they kicked it, I guess with the track being sealed, she kinda missed the ground and those horses got away from her," jockey Ricky Ramirez said. "And in a big race like this, you can't make any mistakes. Every mistake counts, and it just wasn't our day."



Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird (TB) lead the post parade for the futurity. The gelding is owned by Roswell, New Mexico, residents Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach. 



The complete order of finish: Runnning Brook Gal, Shesa First Ratify, First Corona Call, Favorite Cartel, Love Samba, Swingin Daddyo, Winners Cartel, Gols Victory Pop and Jess So Sixy. Brooks Midnight was scratched.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, September 2, 2009 – Three finalists in Monday’s prestigious All American Futurity (G1) take up residence in the latest AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Poll for 2-year-olds, while Los Alamitos-based Freaky continues his stranglehold on the top spot in the poll for 3-year-olds and older.

Monday’s $2 million All American Futurity figures to have a major impact on next week’s rankings, and fastest qualifier Love Samba gets the jump on the competition via her No. 6 national ranking this week. Other ranked juveniles headed to Ruidoso’s classic include Favorite Cartel and Runnning Brook Gal, who are tied for No. 9 in this week’s poll.  LD Fire and Streakin Laquinta, dead-heat winners of the Ed Burke Million Futurity (G1), remain in the poll’s top two spots.

As for the older horses, Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1) upset winner Alice K White parlayed her Saturday victory over Foose and Tres Passes into a No. 9 debut in this week’s rankings, thus bumping reigning AQHA world champion Stolis Winner out of the poll. Stolis Winner will have his say in Saturday’s All American Derby (G1), where he was the third-fastest qualifier in his 2009 return. The derby cast also includes this week’s No. 5-rated Inseperable and No. 10-rated and All American Derby fastest-qualifier Fantastic Corona Jr.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS
1.  LD FIRE (82)
2.  STREAKIN LAQUINTA (74)
3.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (52)
4. (tie)  ZOOMIN WITH EASE (47)
4. (tie)  FIRST KLAS FRED (47)
6.  LOVE SAMBA (43)
7. (tie)  RAGAZZO (30)
7. (tie)  PEACE FIRE (30)
9. (tie)  FAVORITE CARTEL (29)
9. (tie)  RUNNNING BROOK GAL (29)

Also receiving votes: Twin Spires (16), Eye Got The Blues (12), Jess A Chicks (3), Cascia Babe (3), Memories Of Okie (2), Triffle (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR OLDS & UP
1.  FREAKY (85)
2.  FIRST MOONFLASH (72)
3.  SEPARATE BET (70)
4.  JESS YOU AND I (57)
5.  INSEPERABLE (55)
6.  TIME FOR A CIGAR (24)
7.  EASY DASHIN SIXES (22)
8.  LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (19)
9.  ALICE K WHITE (17)
10.  FANTASTIC CORONA JR (14)

Also receiving votes: Stolis Winner (13), Fighter On Fire (12), Noconi (7), Tres Passes (7), Illegal Memories (6), My Lady First (4), A Tempting Dash (4), Stylish Jess BR (3), Streakin Six Cartel (3), Gone To The Mountain (2), Cuz Eye Said (2), Rieda Hay Worth (1), Purely Prada (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, August 26, 2009 – All American Futurity (G1) fastest qualifier Love Samba danced all the way to No. 5 in the latest AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Poll for 2-year-olds, while 2008 world champion Stolis Winner parlayed his ’09 return appearance in the All American Derby (G1) trials into a debut No. 10 ranking in the poll for 3-year-olds and up.

Three of the All American Futurity finalists appear in this week’s 2-year-old rankings, namely Love Samba (tied for No. 5), Runnning Brook Gal (No. 7) and Favorite Cartel (No. 9). Any one of the trio could make an assault on the top with a win in the Labor Day showpiece. The top spots in the poll have been held by LD Fire and Streakin Laquinta, respectively, since their Ed Burke Million Futurity (G1) dead-heat in June.

As for the 3-year-olds and older division, the three-time Los Alamitos track-record setter Freaky remains the top-rated horse in the world. Meanwhile, Stolis Winner, away since last fall, figures to make a major move toward the top if he can rebound Labor Day weekend in the All American Derby final. He finished third in his trial return last week to Fantastic Corona Jr, who also made his poll debut at No. 9.

The poll is split into two categories, 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds and up, and is released each week from early summer through late fall. The numbers in parentheses represent total points allotted by voters, with a first-place vote worth 10 points, a second-place vote worth nine points and so on.
 
 NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS
    1.  LD FIRE (82)
    2.  STREAKIN LAQUINTA (74)
    3.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (51)
    4.   ZOOMIN WITH EASE (48)
    5. (tie)  FIRST KLAS FRED (42)
    5. (tie)  LOVE SAMBA (42)
    7.  RUNNNING BROOK GAL (34)
    8.  RAGAZZO (32)
    9.  FAVORITE CARTEL (31)
    10. PEACE FIRE (30)

Twin Spires (15), Varsity Girl (5), Streak N Attitude (5), Jess A Chicks (3), Cascia Babe (3), Memories Of Okie (2), Shake Em Money Pop (1), TF Ms Special Perry (1)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
    1.  FREAKY (85)
    2.  FIRST MOONFLASH (72)
    3.  SEPARATE BET (70)
    4.  JESS YOU AND I (60)
    5.  INSEPERABLE (54)
    6.  EASY DASHIN SIXES (24)
    7.  TIME FOR A CIGAR (23)
    8.  LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (18)
    9.  FANTASTIC CORONA JR (17)
    10. STOLIS WINNER (15)

Noconi (14), Fighter On Fire (9), Tres Passes (7), Illegal Memories (6), A Tempting Dash (5), My Lady First (4), Stylish Jess BR (3), Streakin Six Cartel (3), Gone To The Mountain (2), Cuz Eye Said (2), Rieda Hay Worth (1), Purely Prada (1)

The nine voters are:
Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com andHorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, August 24, 2009 – Bucking the trends in the racing industry and the economy at large, American Quarter Horse racing indicators showed the industry is holding steady in the face of the biggest economic downturn in decades.

Numbers released by AQHA show that purses in July, compared to the same month last year, held virtually steady with only a fraction of a percent drop. The number of July races was up 1.4 percent to 1,035. Handle saw a slight 1.7 percent drop, from $32.5 million last year to $31.9 million this year.

In comparison, Thoroughbred racing handle in July fell 13.4 percent, according to Equibase figures, while Thoroughbred purses dropped 7.4 percent for the month.

Year-to-date statistics show total American Quarter Horse purses up 3.9 percent, from $68.1 million to $70.7 million, despite the loss of 45 racing days at Les Bois Park, which is not operating this year, and eight days at Wyoming Downs, which trimmed its 2009 schedule. The total number of races dropped from 5,341 to 5,331, having a partial effect on the 5.7 percent rise in average purse per race to $13,504. Average earnings per starter have also gone up 3.1 percent so far this year, and added money has gone up 5.1 percent, from $55.7 million to $58.6 million. Handle declined 3 percent, compared to Thoroughbred racing’s year-to-date statistics which show handle declining 10.9 percent.

“This is very positive news, particularly as we head into the sale season,” said AQHA Executive Director of Racing Trey Buck. “I’m encouraged by the fact that the industry is so durable, and I’m glad to see this is an industry that horsemen can continue to invest in,”

Don’t miss any of the action of the American Quarter Horse racing industry by subscribing to The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal and the Q-Racing Newsletter. Subscribe to the free Q-Racing Newsletter by visiting www.aqha.com/lyris/subscribe.html. The Q-Racing Newsletter is delivered twice a week and is packed with the latest information on American Quarter Horse racing. With the latest race results, stakes qualifier information and news from across the industry, horsemen and racing fans shouldn’t miss a single issue.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, August 20, 2009 – The 17th Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships, the crowning event in AQHA's yearly lucrative purse and bonus awards program, returns to Los Alamitos in Orange County on October 31. On August 21-23, the track will hold three races that will award the winners an automatic berth in their respective races during the October 31 event.

The richest race is the $81,900 Bank of America California Championship Challenge (G2) on August 22. The winner of the 440-yard race for 3-year-old and older horses, will advance to the $350,000 Bank of America Racing Challenge Championship (G1).

AQHA Champion Trainer Paul Jones will saddle four horses in the race, led by Grade 1 winner Trisk, a full brother to world champion Wave Carver and champion and millionaire Ocean Runaway. Trisk is a 5-year-old son of First Down Dash who is a homebred racing for Lucas Racing Inc. of New Market, Maryland. Jones won the race last year with Leading Spirit.

The field for the California Championship Challenge, in post position order with jockeys, is: Czech N Out Ashley, Santiago Mendez; Bannow Bay, Alejandro Luna; Concrete Charlie, Adrian Loza; Premier Venu, Francisco Rubio; Masters Call, Cesar DeAlba; Trisk, Cody Jensen; Stoli Powered, Armando Andrade; Fighter On Fire, Rodrigo Aceves; Checker, Alex Bautista; and Strength In Numbers, Ramon Sanchez. All starters will carry 124 pounds.

The California Championship Challenge is the ninth race on the 10-race card. Post time is 10:07 p.m. Pacific.

The previous night, on August 21, Jones will send out five of the 10 runners in the $25,740 Merial California Distaff Challenge (G3) for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, at 400 yards. One of the starters for Jones, who won three consecutive runnings of the race from 2006-2008 with champion Blazin Fire, is Grade 1 winner Stylish Jess BR.

The other Grade 1 winner in the race is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. She is Terrific Energy, a 4-year-old daughter of Mr Jess Perry who has not raced since winning the Charger Bar Handicap (G1) at Los Alamitos in January. Christopher O'Dell trains Terrific Energy, who will be ridden by Jeff Jerman for her owner, the Parsons Family Trust of Penn Valley, California.

On August 23, 3-year-olds will contest the $47,970 Bayer Legend California Challenge Derby. The fastest qualifier for the 400-yard race is Deep Creek Bobbie, a filly by Mark My Dial who races for Robert H. Williams of Vernal, Utah. Trained by Felipe Quintero, the filly has been first or second in her past four races.

Los Alamitos is the site of all six California regional races. 

Don’t miss a minute of the action at Los Alamitos with Q-Racing Video. Subscribers see actual live video from the racetracks, including post parade and racing action. It’s like watching a monitor at the track, but the action is on your computer from anywhere there’s Internet access. The archived races feature allows subscribers to catch past performances and is a great handicapping tool for trip notes. Archived races for most tracks go back at least two years, allowing subscribers unparalleled access to past races. The subscription service will charge as little as $14.95 per month with a one-year agreement. Learn more at www.aqha.com/racingstream.

For more information about the Bank of America Racing Challenge, visit www.aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, August, 19, 2009 – Little Bit of Baja, an emphatic winner of last Saturday’s Bank of America Central Challenge Championship, rocketed to No. 8 in the latest AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Poll for 3-year-olds and up. Meanwhile, this week’s 2-year-old poll remained unchanged but is sure to be refaced next week following Thursday’s 20-race promenade of All American Futurity trials.

Little Bit of Baja, runner-up in the past two editions of the Grade 1 Champion of Champions, was also joined in the latest Top-10 Poll by newcomer A Tempting Dash, who on Saturday posted the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 1 Golden State Derby at Los Alamitos. A Tempting Dash landed the No. 9 slot in the national rankings.

Among the top-rated juveniles entered in Thursday’s Grade 1 All American Futurity trials are No. 3 Zoomin With Ease, No. 5 First Klas Fred, No. 6 Ragazzo, No. 9 Varsity Girl and No. 10 Runnning Brook Gal.

Meanwhile, Friday’s Grade 1 All American Derby trials feature the return of reigning AQHA World Champion Stolis Winner, whose 2009 debut surely will lure the attention of the pollsters. The Derby trials also feature a rematch between Grade 1 Rainbow Derby one-two finishers Inseperable (ranked No. 4 nationally) and Time For A Cigar (No. 7 this week).

The poll is split into two categories, 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds and up, and is released each week from early summer through late fall. The numbers in parentheses represent total points allotted by voters, with a first-place vote worth 10 points, a second-place vote worth nine points and so on.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS
1.  LD FIRE (79)
2.  STREAKIN LAQUINTA (70)
3.  ZOOMIN WITH EASE (65)
4.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (55)
5.  FIRST KLAS FRED (54)
6.  RAGAZZO (51)
7.  PEACE FIRE (40)
8.  TWIN SPIRES (22)
9.  VARSITY GIRL (15)
10. RUNNNING BROOK GAL (9)
Shake Em Money Pop (6), Streakin Down (6), EBW Obsession (6), Streak N Attitude (5), Three Times The Toll (3), Jess A Chicks (3), Cascia Babe (3), Memories Of Okie (2), Turbulenz (2), Love Samba (2), TF Ms Special Perry (1), Triffle (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
1.  FREAKY (85)
2.  FIRST MOONFLASH (74)
3.  SEPARATE BET (71)
4.  INSEPERABLE (52)
5.  JESS YOU AND I (46)
6.  EASY DASHIN SIXES (29)
7.  TIME FOR A CIGAR (27)
8.  LITTLE BIT OF BAJA (24)
9.  A TEMPTING DASH (21)
10. NOCONI (21)
Illegal Memories (13), Hard Hitting (9), Cuz Eye Said (4), Streakin Six Cartel (3), Tres Passes (3), My Lady First (2), Foose (2), Gone To The Mountain (2), Rieda Hay Worth (1), Stylish Jess BR (1), Purely Prada (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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America’s Horse, August 18, 2009 – The mockingbird. The bluebonnet. Now the American Quarter Horse joins these two well-known Texas icons, becoming the official horse of the great state of Texas.

It’s an appropriate declaration, as Texas’ history is closely intertwined with that of the American Quarter Horse, beginning with Steel Dust, one of the forebears of the state’s more than 470,000 American Quarter Horses. In the early days, the horses were used to help settle the wild and wooly territory. Then, they were used by ranchers to round up livestock and move them to market, as well as for a little match racing on the weekends. The American Quarter Horse Association, the breed’s registry that was started in 1940 at a meeting of ranchers and horsemen at the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show, is headquartered in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. Today, the American Quarter Horse embodies the spirit of Texas and exemplifies the versatility of his ancestors.

Gov. Rick Perry will sign an official declaration making the American Quarter Horse the official horse of Texas at 4 p.m. August 20 at the Capitol in Austin, Texas. There will also be American Quarter Horses on the Capitol grounds for this historic occasion.

“This is a great way for the American Quarter Horse to be recognized,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Don Treadway Jr. “We need to give credit to the Texas Quarter Horse Association, Rep. Larry Phillips and 10-year-old Logan Head, who got the ball rolling on this by writing to Rep. Phillips with the idea of making the American Quarter Horse the state’s official horse.”

Logan Head is an American Quarter Horse Youth Association member from Bonham, Texas.

The signing of this declaration will follow the governor’s signing of House Bill 1881, which establishes the Texas Equine Incentive Program, creating a voluntary monetary incentive program to keep Quarter, Paint and Appaloosa horses breeding, showing or racing in Texas.

The incentive fund makes all American Quarter Horses, American Paint Horses and Appaloosas conceived by mares and stallions living in Texas during 2009 eligible to be nominated to the new Texas Equine Incentive Fund. HB 1881 was introduced into the Texas House by Rep. Sid Miller (R) of Erath in February 2009 and garnered broad support as a non-partisan bill that did not involve assessing taxes on Texas residents.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, August 13, 2009 – On August 14-15, Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, will host a total of four races that are part of the Bank of America Racing Challenge, the American Quarter Horse Association's lucrative purse and bonus awards program. Each winning horse will earn an automatic berth as Central region representatives in their respective divisions at the 17th Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships on October 31 at Los Alamitos in California.

The richest race at Prairie Meadows is the $76,680 Bank of America Central Championship Challenge (G2), which will pit 12 accomplished 3-year-old and older horses at 440 yards in one of the finest matchups of racing American Quarter Horses so far this year. The winner will advance to the $350,000 Bank of America Racing Challenge Championship (G1).

The 2-1 morning-line favorite for the Central Championship Challenge is Los Alamitos Grade 1 winner Little Bit Of Baja, who will break from Post 9 with regular rider Rodrigo Aceves aboard. Owned by breeder Vessels Stallion Farm in partnership with Los Bustardos, the 5-year-old gelding by First Down Dash is coming off a ninth-place finish in his Prairie Meadows debut, the Keokuk Stakes on August 1, in which he was fractious in the starting gate.

Second in the prestigious Champion of Champions (G1) at Los Alamitos in 2007 and 2008 and a 400-yard track record setter, Little Bit Of Baja has won four races in 19 starts. With a career bankroll of $729,931, the gelding is the leading earner in the Central Championship Challenge.

Little Bit Of Baja is trained by Charley Hunt, who will saddle three other starters in the race: Gallant Ways, who won the 2008 Bayer Legend Central Derby Challenge (G3) at Prairie Meadows en route to his victory in the $200,000 Derby Challenge Championship (G1) at Evangeline; 2006 Valley Junction Futurity (G2) winner A Silver Goblin; and Grade 1 qualifier Famous Grouse.

The 3-1 second choice in the morning line is Iowa-bred WRS Special Shoe. Runner-up in the race last year, WRS Special Shoe went on to win the $353,500 Challenge Championship at Evangeline Downs. The 7-year-old gelding by First Down Laveaux has 17 wins and never has finished worse than third in 40 of his 51 career starts. He has earned $682,944.

Trainer Brent Clay will send out WRS Special Shoe, who will break from Post  3 under jockey Stormy Smith. WRS Special Shoe is a homebred racing for Randy and Gwen Williams' Williams Racing Stables Inc. of La Center, Kentucky.

The lone female in the race is Michigan invader Senorita Tres, who has won 17 races, including 11 stakes, during her career. The 4-year-old daughter of Tres Seis, who is coming off two consecutive stakes wins at Mt. Pleasant Meadows, is 5-1 in the morning line.

The field for the Central Championship Challenge, in post position order with jockeys, is: Gallant Ways, Tommy Wellington; Senorita Tres, Richard Rettele; WRS Special Shoe, Stormy Smith; CM Charley Bugs, Doug Frink; A Silver Goblin, Tommy Byrd; Hijo De Villa, David Pinon; Jess Got Bayou, Adalberto Candanosa; Just Amazing Jess, Jerry Winters; Little Bit Of Baja, Rodrigo Aceves; Mr La Bubba, Tad Legget; Looks Royal, Jose Vega; and Famous Grouse, Randy Wilson.

The Central Championship Challenge is the eighth race on the 12-race card. Post time is 9:18 p.m. Central.

The ninth race that night is the $38,520 John Deere Central Juvenile Challenge (G3) for 2-year-olds at 350 yards. The 5-2 morning-line favorite is two-time stakes winner Gallant Corona, who will break from Post 7 in the 10-horse race.

On August 14, Prairie Meadows will run the $25,560 Merial Central Distaff Challenge for fillies and mares, 3 years old and up, at 400 yards, and the $23,040 Red Cell Central Distance Challenge for 3-year-olds and up at 870 yards.

The 8-5 morning-line favorite for the Central Distaff Challenge is Prairie Meadows stakes winner Rarely Makes It Home, who won this year's Remington Park Derby (G2) and was second in the Heritage Place Derby (G1).

The 9-5 favorite for the Central Distance Challenge is the 8-year-old First To Ramble, one of the most accomplished distance horses in the sport. First To Ramble's 14 career stakes wins include the Central Distance Challenge in 2005.

The winner of the Prairie Meadows race on the left will represent the central region in the race on the right during the 17th Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships on October 31 at Los Alamitos.

Prairie Meadows Race	Championships Race
$76,680 Bank of America Central Championship Challenge (G2) on August 15	$350,000 Bank of America Racing Challenge Championship (G1)
$38,520 John Deere Central Juvenile Challenge (G3) on August 15	$150,000 John Deere Racing Challenge Juvenile Championship (G2)
$25,560 Merial Central Distaff Challenge on August 14	$125,000 Merial Racing Challenge Distaff Championship (G1)
$23,040 Red Cell Central Distance Challenge for 3-year-olds and up at 870 yards on August 14	$125,000 Red Cell Racing Challenge Distance Championship (G1)

   
Live streaming race video from Prairie Meadows and from many other tracks that offer Quarter Horse racing is available through Q-Racing Video, brought to you by The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal. For more information, visit http://racing.aqha.com/racing/racestream.html.

For more information about the Bank of America Racing Challenge, visit www.aqharacing.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, August 12, 2009 – No news was good news for horses ranked on the AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top-10 Polls. A quiet week on the national stakes landscape left voters unchanged in their rankings, which once again see LD Fire and Freaky tabbed No. 1 in their respective divisions. There were some changes among unranked horses that received votes, however.

Both polls could be impacted by this coming weekend’s happenings at Prairie Meadows, where the John Deere Central Juvenile Challenge (G3) and Bank of America Central Championship Challenge (G2) headline the marquee. Meanwhile, trials for the All American Futurity (G1) loom on the horizon August 20 at Ruidoso Downs and figure to shake things up in the 2-year-old ranks.

The poll is split into two categories, 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds and up, and is released each week from early summer through late fall. The numbers in parentheses represent total points allotted by voters, with a first-place vote worth 10 points, a second-place vote worth nine points and so on.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS
1.  LD FIRE (77)
2.  STREAKIN LAQUINTA (71)
3.  ZOOMIN WITH EASE (65)
4.  FIRST PRIZE LEESA (57)
5.  FIRST KLAS FRED (52)
6.  RAGAZZO (47)
7.  PEACE FIRE (41)
8.  TWIN SPIRES (21)
9.  VARSITY GIRL (17)
10. RUNNNING BROOK GAL (9)
Streak N Attitude (6), Shake Em Money Pop (6), Streakin Down (4), EBW Obsession (4), Memories Of Okie (3), Three Times The Toll (3), Jess A Chicks (3), Cascia Babe (3) Turbulenz (2), TF Ms Special Perry (1), Love Samba (1), Triffle (1)

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
1.  FREAKY (85)
2.  SEPARATE BET (71)
3.  FIRST MOONFLASH (70)
4.  JESS YOU AND I (67)
5.  INSEPERABLE (56)
6.  TIME FOR A CIGAR (30)
7.  EASY DASHIN SIXES (28)
8.  CUZ EYE SAID (13)
9.  ILLEGAL MEMORIES (12)
10. HARD HITTING (11)
Noconi (9), My Lady First (7), Rieda Hay Worth (5), Stylish Jess BR (4), Streakin Six Cartel (3), Brenda Beautiful (1), Purely Prada (1), Foose (1)

The nine voters are:
Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, August 6, 2009 – A rematch of accomplished American Quarter Horses is set for the $29,880 Red Cell West/Southwest Distance Challenge on August 8 at Arapahoe Park. Leading the field of nine runners in the 870-yard race are Victorysgotalotahope and 10-year-old Runbyu, who finished first and second respectively in the $17,190 Red Cell Northwest Distance Challenge on July 18 at Wyoming Downs. A nose separated the pair at the finish, while another of their Arapahoe rivals, Bye Bye Dasher, ran fifth in the race.

Victorysgotalotahope, a 4-year-old gelding by Shazoom, races for Shauna Edwards and Mark Loebner of Portland, Oregon, and is trained by Bill Hoburg. With his victory at Wyoming Downs, the gelding earned a berth in the $125,000 Red Cell Racing Challenge Distance Championship (G1) during the 17th Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships on October 31 at Los Alamitos in California. The West/Southwest winner (or the runner-up if Victorysgotalotahope wins) also receives a berth to the rich race.

Other starters in the West/Southwest Distance Challenge include Weber, who won the 2008 West/Southwest Distance Challenge by a neck over Runbyu, and Bad Act, winner of the 2007 Bull Rastus Handicap at Los Alamitos. Bad Act is coming off an 870-yard victory at Arapahoe on July 4 in which he defeated Victorysgotalotahope, Weber and another West/Southwest Distance Challenge rival, Tee Zevi. In 2007, Bad Act was second to champion Snowbound Superstar in the $100,000 Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship at Los Alamitos.

The field, in post position order with jockeys, is: Bad Act, Adan Fuentes; Heza Streak 276, Fernando Camacho; Legal Runaway, Vernon Scantling; Buzzed On Bud, Alfonso Fuentes; Runbyu, Russ Vicchrilli; Victorysgotalotahope, William Ives; Tee Zevi, Jose Barajas; Bye Bye Dasher, Jose Torres; and Weber, Mark Boag. All starters will carry 124 pounds.

Hoburg also will send out Legal Runaway, who will make his 870-yard debut in the race. The 6-year-old Illegal Runaway gelding is coming off a fourth-place finish behind Snip N Dale in the $62,010 Bank of America Northwest Championship Challenge (G3) on July 18 at Wyoming Downs.

The West/Southwest Distance Challenge is the eighth race on the nine-race card at Arapahoe. Post time for the race is 3:55 p.m. Mountain. Free live streaming video of Arapahoe's races is available on www.mihiracing.com/arapahoe_park.shtml.

Arapahoe already has held three Challenge regional races that awarded berths to the Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships. On July 12, Specially Alluring won the $43,920 Bayer Legend West/Southwest Derby Challenge (G3) to advance to the $200,000 Bayer Legend Racing Challenge Derby Championship (G1). That same day, Baby La Jolla captured the $26,460 Merial West/Southwest Distaff Challenge to qualify to the $125,000 Merial Racing Challenge Distaff Championship (G1). On August 1, Dashing Strawfly won the $24,000 Fort Dodge West/Southwest Starter Allowance Challenge to qualify to the $75,000 Fort Dodge Racing Challenge Starter Allowance Championship.

The Bank of America Racing Challenge was created to provide more racing opportunities for older horses. To date, the program has disbursed more than $52 million in purses and bonus awards. This year, the Challenge will offer 71 regional, undercard and championship races and award a projected $5 million in total purses and awards.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, August 5, 2009 – LD Fire and Freaky remain No. 1 in their respective divisions of this week’s AQHA Racing-HorseplayerPRO.com Weekly Top Ten Poll. LD Fire has spent more than a month leading the juvenile ranks since a dead-heat victory in the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity (where she finished on even terms with No. 2-rated Streakin Laquinta). Meanwhile, Freaky enjoys his second consecutive week ranked No. 1 after assuming the position with a dominant win in the Spencer Childers California Breeders’ Championship (RG1) two weeks ago at Los Alamitos.

With a series of trials this week at Los Al for the Bank of America Challenge Championships, as well as the graded Mile High Futurity and Derby at Arapahoe Park, some of the West’s better 2-year-old and older horses are expected to make their case for the poll in the coming days.

The numbers in parentheses represent total points allotted by voters, with a first-place vote worth 10 points, a second-place vote worth nine points and so on.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR OLDS                   
1.    LD FIRE (77)
2.    STREAKIN LAQUINTA (71)   
3.    ZOOMIN WITH EASE (65)   
4.    FIRST PRIZE LEESA (57)
5.    FIRST KLAS FRED (52)
6.    RAGAZZO (46)
7.    PEACE FIRE (41)
8.    TWIN SPIRES (21)
9.    VARSITY GIRL (17)
10.  RUNNNING BROOK GAL (9)

Streak N Attitude (6), Shake Em Money Pop (6), Streakin Down (4), Love Samba (4), EBW Obsession (4), Memories Of Okey (3), Three Times The Toll (3), Jess A Chicks (3), Turbulenz (2), TF Ms Special Perry (1), Cascia Babe (1)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
1.    FREAKY (85)
2.    SEPARATE BET (71)
3.    FIRST MOONFLASH (70)
4.    JESS YOU AND I (67)
5.    INSEPERABLE (56)
6.    TIME FOR A CIGAR (30)
7.    EASY DASHIN SIXES (28)
8.    CUZ EYE SAID (13)
9.     ILLEGAL MEMORIES (12)
10.   HARD HITTING (11)

My Lady First (7), Noconi (6), Here To Entertain (6), Rieda Hay Worth (5), Stylish Jess BR (4), Streakin Six Cartel (3), Gone To The Mountain (2), Brenda Beautiful (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, July 31, 2009 – EBW Obsession, who has won the first two races of her career by a combined 7 lengths, leads the field for the $62,730 John Deere New Mexico Juvenile Challenge (G3) on August 2 at Ruidoso Downs. The winner earns an automatic berth to the $150,000 John Deere Racing Challenge Juvenile Championship (G2) on October 31 at Los Alamitos.

A homebred racing for Ernie and Brenda Wood of Colorado City, Texas, EBW Obsession (Brimmerton-Runaway Sweetheart by Runaway Winner) opened her career at Ruidoso on June 26 with a 2-length victory in a maiden event at 300 yards. The filly returned July 16 to win the fourth of five trials to the 350-yard New Mexico Juvenile Challenge by 4 ¾ lengths – a margin almost unheard of in American Quarter Horse racing – and set the fastest qualifying time of :17.494.

EBW Obsession is trained by Jamie Zamora and ridden by her husband, Chris. She will break from Post 7 in the 10-horse race.

The field for the New Mexico Juvenile Challenge, in post position order with jockeys, is: Ms Dashair, Jorge Martin Bourdieu; De Elegant Dream, Enrique Tavarez; Threetimesthecorona, G.R. Carter Jr.; Feature TH Goodtimes, Cody Jensen; Living Wild, Tony Guymon; Bring The Bling, Ramon Sanchez; EBW Obsession, Chris Zamora; Heza Miracle Dip, Oscar Rincon; Brightnuff, Ricky Ramirez; and American Ironhorse, Noe Garcia. All starters will carry 120 pounds.

The New Mexico Juvenile Challenge is the eighth race on Ruidoso's nine-race card. Post time for the race is 4:02 p.m. Mountain. AQHARacing.com presents live streaming race video from Ruidoso and from many other tracks that offer Quarter Horse racing, enabling fans to watch live races on their computer.

This year, the Challenge will distribute a projected $5 million in total purses and awards from corporate partners, host tracks, horsemen and the Bank of America Challenge purse supplement fund.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, July 23, 2009 – On Saturday, many Thoroughbred racing fans around the country will be following Canterbury Park as the track holds the $750,000 Claiming Crown. That day, the Minnesota track's richest day of racing also will include the $18,450 Fort Dodge Central Starter Allowance Challenge for racing American Quarter Horses.

“We are extremely pleased that Canterbury Park requested the opportunity to include the Challenge Central Region Fort Dodge Starter Allowance race as one of the races on the Claiming Crown card,” said Darrell R. Hare, director of Racing Challenge. “This nationally recognized racing event will provide the opportunity for the Bank of America Racing Challenge and American Quarter Horse racing to be watched and wagered on in markets not normally accustomed to Quarter Horse racing.”

The Starter Allowance division of the Bank of America Racing Challenge is open to 3-year-olds and older horses who have started for a claiming price of $5,000 or less in the 12 months prior to the race's late payment deadline. Winners of the 350-yard races will earn an automatic berth to the $75,000 Fort Dodge Racing Challenge Starter Allowance Championship during the 17th Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships on October 31 at Los Alamitos.

The Central Starter Allowance Challenge features two horses owned by S Bar S of Elgin, Texas, and conditioned by successful Texas-based trainer K.C. Carden. They are Looks Like A Dart, the leading earner in the race with $53,065, and The Tin Man Can, a Grade 3 winner and earner of $51,044 whom Carden claimed for $5,000 in May at Remington Park.

In his last start, Looks Like A Dart won the East Starter Allowance Challenge at Delta Downs. Carden claimed the 6-year-old Invisible Injun gelding for $4,000 in May 2008 at Remington. Looks Like A Dart, who went on to win the 2008 Canada Starter Allowance Challenge last year, has two wins in four starts in 2009.

The Tin Man Can captured the 2008 Central Juvenile Challenge (G3) at Prairie Meadows to advance to the $150,000 Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) in November at Evangeline Downs in Louisiana. The 3-year-old gelding by Easy Winning Jet is winless in four starts this year.

The field for the Central Starter Allowance Challenge, in post position order with jockeys, is: LS Stone Cookie, Andrew Erwin; A Jake, Carlos Alicia; Eyesa High, Jerry Winters; Nicketti, Jose Vega; Wazee, Tad Leggett, The Tin Man Can, Anne Von Rosen; Shes A Shaker, Ry Eikleberry; Struttin Whiz, Wesley Wilson; and Looks Like A Dart, Berkley Packer.

The Central Starter Allowance Challenge is the second race on the 11-race card. Post time for the race is 2 p.m. Central.

AQHARacing.com presents live streaming race video from Canterbury and from many other tracks that offer American Quarter Horse racing, enabling fans to watch live races on their computer. On July 24-26, viewers can take advantage of a free preview weekend, enabling those who are not yet subscribers to test the service and get full access to live racing and to the July 24-25 Texas Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

On Sunday, Canterbury will host another Challenge race, the $44,550 Bayer Legend Central Derby Challenge (G3).  The 400-yard race for 3-year-olds will award the winner an automatic berth to the $200,000 Bayer Legend Racing Challenge Derby Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos.

The Central Derby Challenge is expected to include several starters that ran in the June 28 Canterbury Park Derby, won by Make Out Artist.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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America’s Horse, July 22, 2009 – Three individuals and three horses will be inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame during the 2010 American Quarter Horse Association Convention, March 5-8 in Kissimmee, Florida.

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame was established in 1975 to honor people and horses instrumental in the development of the breed and the American Quarter Horse Association. Induction into the Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors bestowed by AQHA.

Horses:
Poco Pine
Paul Curtner bought Poco Pine during the dispersal of Paul Waggoner’s 3D Stock Farm in 1954 when Curtner was searching for a filly by Poco Bueno and out of a Blackburn mare. Instead, Curtner’s wife encouraged him to buy Pretty Rosalie, a Pretty Boy mare with a long-haired colt, Poco Pine, at her side.

Poco Pine was named after Pine Johnson, Poco Bueno’s trainer, who had been enthusiastic about the colt when Curtner was not.

Training and age improved Poco Pine in Curtner’s eyes. He set a goal of winning 50 grand championships before he would retire Poco Pine from halter competition, and he thought he achieved that goal, though AQHA records only credit the horse with 46 grand championships and 7 reserve grand championships.

In addition to his 135 AQHA points in halter, Poco Pine earned 15 points in cutting and 2 in western pleasure. He was an AQHA open champion and earned his Superior in halter. He earned $776.11 in NCHA competition during the 1950s.

Poco Pine also proved to be a sire of show horses. His first foal crop included two AQHA Champions, Poco Chico and Poco Taos, as well as Poco Lottie, who earned 25 halter points, and Poco Annie, who earned 54 halter points.

His get earned $14,794 in NCHA competition and $3,428 at the AQHA World Championship Show. Of 464 offspring, 199 earned 10,949.5 points, with 41 becoming AQHA Champions. One of those foals, Great Pine, went on to be a major sire of reining horses as well as an AQHA Champion. Poco Pine’s son Poco Pecho sired Pecho Dexter, a Hall of Fame inductee.

Rocket Wrangler
Rocket Wrangler was foaled in 1968. In 1970, he hit the racetrack, winning seven of his 13 starts, including the Rainbow and All American futurities. He was the year’s high-money-earning horse and was named world champion 2-year-old colt.

After his 1970 win of the All American Futurity, at the time the richest horse race in the world, owner J.R. Adams of Guymon, Oklahoma, sold a half-interest in the horse to B.F. Phillips, who retired the horse to stud.

Rocket Wrangler spent two breeding seasons at Phillips Ranch, then Adams bought back his half-interest and returned the horse to the track. Rocket Wrangler at age 4 won the New Mexico State Fair Handicap over a field that included champion Mr Kid Charge. He was retired from racing permanently in February 1973 and was syndicated in 1980. He sired 1,629 foals, with 1,221 starters and 762 winners.

Rocket Wrangler is 30th on the list of all-time leading sires by earnings and eighth on the list of all-time leading sires by winners. He is 14th on the list of all-time leading broodmare sires by earnings and fifth on the list of all-time leading broodmare sires by winners. His offspring included Rocket’s Magic, Rambling Sallye, Quick Wrangler, War Star Wrangler and American Speed. His foals earned $9,407,809 on the track, with Dash For Cash accounting for $507,689 of that total.

He was euthanized November 28, 1992, after suffering from colic and was buried at Royal Vista Equine in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he was standing.

Zan Parr Bar
Zan Parr Bar was foaled April 30, 1974.

He was world champion halter stallion three times, the first horse to achieve that mark. In 1977, he was high-point halter stallion, standing grand at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. He earned 114 grand championships and 13 reserve championships.

In the meantime, he was also earning his way as a roping horse. He was the high-point steer roping horse in 1979, the same year he was world champion aged stallion. In 1980, he placed third at the AQHA World Championship Show in senior heeling, the same show at which he defended his world championship in aged stallions. He also placed in the top 10 at the World Show in heading and heeling. Zan Parr Bar also earned points in reining and western pleasure. In his lifetime, he acquired 602 points.

He retired from the show ring after the 1980 World Show. He continued to be ridden on the ranch while being used as a breeding stallion. His foals earned 44 world championships and 33 reserve world championships. His foals had 43 year-end high-point wins, five year-end all-around high-point wins and three reserve year-end all-around wins. In all divisions combined, his foals have earned 25,593.5 points. Of 653 foals, 236 have been point-earners.

Some of Zan Parr Bar’s better-known offspring are: Reprise Bar, the 1984 Superhorse; Sparkles Suzana; Zan Parr Snip; Sparkles Rosezana; Zans Diamond Sun; Zan Parr Jack; and Parr Skip Bar.

Zan Parr Bar died November 27, 1987, of colitis X. At that time, he was AQHA’s leading sire of performance horses.

Zan Parr Bar is currently sixth on the list of sires of all-time leading point earners and 17th on the list of sires of AQHA Champions.

Individuals:
Bailey “Stretch” Bradley
In the 1940s, Bailey “Stretch” Bradley started showing in reining, pleasure and cutting. In 1944, he bought his first American Quarter Horse, introducing the breed to the state of Ohio. He then began training and showing on a part-time basis.

In 1967, he was among the small group founding the All American Quarter Horse Congress. Through the years, he helped refine the show into the event it is today, taking on the ground work as his responsibility, a task he continued for 20 years.

He was the second president of the Ohio Cutting Horse Association and executive vice president of the NRHA. He was a director for OQHA and served on many committees. He was named an honorary director in 1986. He was a founder of the first 4-H horse and pony club in Ohio, the Triple T 4-H Club, and was a director of the Midwestern Horse Show and Rodeo.

In 1970, at age 48, Stretch became a full-time professional trainer, hauling Hall of Famer Miss Jim 45 in a 1970 show campaign that ended with 134 wins, 118 grand champion awards and 436 AQHA points for an honor roll title. In 1971, Stretch led Gold Margarita to the open year-end high-point title. In 1975, he did the same for Vallerina Miss, adding a world championship in aged mares. At the time, he was considered one of the nation’s best halter trainers. He often hauled to horse shows with youth exhibitors, such as Cindy Johnson, who won four youth honor roll titles.

In 1988, Stretch was named to the NRHA Hall of Fame’s third induction class, just months after his death at age 66, based in part on his commitment to seeing horses had the best possible grounds at Ohio horse shows and reinings. That same year, he was inducted into the Congress Hall of Fame.

Carol Rose
Carol Rose began competing in 4-H horse shows at age 8 in California. In college, where she was earning a degree in animal science and ag business, she was the high-point individual judger at the 1962 National Western Stock Show in Denver. In the early 1960s, she focused on reined cow horse competition.

In 1969, Carol was the first woman to make it into the NCHA Futurity finals. She was the NCHA non-pro world champion in 1967-1969 and again in 1975.

She was the first woman to serve on the AQHA judges committee. She has served on the international committee and the long-range planning committee and is a member of Texas Quarter Horse Association.

In 1966, Carol moved to Texas and began breeding horses.

Horses Carol has bred have earned 25 world championships and 30 reserve world championships. She has bred 14 year-end high-point winners, three year-end all-around winners and two year-end reserve all-around winners.

Her stallions Shining Spark, Genuine Doc, Zans Diamond Sun and Zan Parr Bar have extensive records of their own. Her mare Diamonds Sparkle is in the Hall of Fame.

Frank “Scoop” Vessels III
An AQHA life member, Frank “Scoop” Vessels III served as AQHA president in 2004. Vessels has been around good horses all of his life, since his grandfather, Frank Vessels Sr., who was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 1989, started both Los Alamitos Race Course and Vessels Stallion Farm.

A recipient of the 1999 AQHA Champion Breeder of the Year and the 2000 Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award, Vessels was first appointed to the AQHA Racing Committee in 1992. He was awarded the John W. Galbreath Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship in the Equine Industry from the University of Louisville’s equine industry program in 2003.

These outstanding horses and individuals will join the other 215 human and equine members of the Hall of Fame who have left their mark on American Quarter Horse history.

The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum opened in 1991, and following an extensive redesign, the 44,000-square-foot museum reopened to the public in June 2007. It now features state-of-the-art technology and exhibits. Hall of Fame members are featured in a timeline, which highlights their contributions to the breed.

For more information on any of the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductees, contact the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum at (806) 378-5029 or visit www.aqhhalloffame.com.


AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, July 22, 2009 – New names make the latest AQHA-HorseplayerPRO.com weekly top-ten poll. Zoomin With Ease (Azoom-All About Ease by First Down Dash) makes his first appearance on the 2-year-old poll in the fourth spot following his Rainbow Futurity (G1) win on July 19.  Inseperable (Separatist-A Delightful Legacy by First Down Dash) debuts in fifth on the 3-and-up poll after a 1½-length win in the Rainbow Derby (G1).

Both polls are released each week from early summer through late fall. The numbers in parentheses represent total points allotted by voters, with a first-place vote worth 10 points, a second-place vote worth nine points and so on.

AQHA-HorseplayerPRO.com poll for July 22, 2009, covering performances through July 21:

2-YEAR-OLDS:
 
1.    LD FIRE  (80)
2.    STREAKIN LAQUINTA  (69)
3.    FIRST PRIZE LEESA  (60)
4.    ZOOMIN WITH EASE  (53)
5.    RAGAZZO  (52)
6.    FIRST KLAS FRED  (47)
7.    TWIN SPIRES  (28)
8.    VARSITY GIRL  (21)
9.    LOVE SAMBA  (20)
10.  STREAK N ATTITUDE  (12)
 
Other 2-year-olds receiving consideration:
Memories Of Okey (11), Runnning Brook Gal (9), Peace Fire (9), Shake Em Money Pop (7), Streakin Down (6), Three Times The Toll (2), Sir Ellerton (2), East Wing (1), TF Ms Special Perry (1)
 
3-YEAR-OLDS & UP:
 
1.    SEPARATE BET   (86)
2.    FIRST MOONFLASH   (72)
3.    FREAKY   (69)
4.    JESS YOU AND I   (66)
5.    INSEPERABLE   (43)
6.    TIME FOR A CIGAR   (37)
7.    ILLEGAL MEMORIES   (28)
8.    EASY DASHIN SIXES   (18)
9.    A TEMPTING DASH   (17)
10.  CUZ EYE SAID   (9)
 
Other 3-year-olds and up receiving consideration:
Snowbound Superstar (8), My Lady First (6), Noconi (5), Rieda Hay Worth (5), Stylish Jess BR (4), Little Bit Of Baja (3), Terrific Energy (3), Brenda Beautiful (2), Lassie O Toole (2), Hydrostatic (2), Snip N Dale (2), Answer The Dream (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.


AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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America’s Horse, July 16, 2009 – The American Quarter Horse Association is now broadcasting America’s Horse TV on the Internet at http://americashorse.tv/. America’s Horse TV provides free and convenient equine television programming.

“AQHA recognizes the new trend in television,” said Tom Persechino, AQHA executive director of marketing and communications. “No longer do people make an appointment to stay home and watch their favorite show. Instead, they digitally record the show or go online to watch it at their convenience. In response to the growing online television market, AQHA is getting on board to provide everyone with the same access to America’s Horse TV.”

All videos use Flash technology, like YouTube, allowing viewers to instantly watch without waiting for a download. America’s Horse TV is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no need for a special cable provider or subscription. All that’s needed is a computer and Internet access.

America’s Horse TV features six channels:
•    America’s Horse – sponsored by Tractor Supply Company; flagship channel containing AQHA’s anchor program. It features new and classic episodes/segments for all horse enthusiasts.
•    How-To – sponsored by Tractor Supply Company; provides important information and instruction for horse owners on everything from learning how to lead your horse, to picking out tack and perfecting your horse’s gaits. AQHA’s Team Wrangler participates in these segments.
•    People & Horses – sponsored by John Deere; profiles American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductees and well-known American Quarter Horses.
•    Health – sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health; educational programming dedicated to the health and welfare of American Quarter Horses. It includes features on vaccinating, breeding, general care and product spotlights.
•    Ranches – sponsored by FedEx; features award-winning ranches and remudas.
•    Events – sponsored by Bank of America; spotlights AQHA and alliance partner competitions and signature events.

America’s Horse TV is free, thanks to AQHA’s corporate partners. Be sure to check out special offers from the generous supporters.

To view America’s Horse TV, visit http://americashorse.tv/.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, July 15, 2009 – In advance of this weekend’s Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity, fastest-qualifier Love Sambo already has made her move in this week’s AQHA-HorseplayerPRO.com weekly top-ten poll. The Blane Wood trainee splashed down at number eight in the 2-year-old rankings, which remain unchanged at the top. Love Sambo is paced by LD Fire and Streakin La Quinta, the dead-heat winners of the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity.

In the 3-year-olds and up rankings, Separate Bet sits atop the charts for the third straight week. Last week’s Grade 1 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship hero Easy Dashin Sixes rockets into the rankings at number six this week, the highest debut this season.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS

1. LD FIRE (63)
2. STREAKIN LA QUINTA (58)
3. FIRST PRIZE LEESA (48)
4. FIRST KLAS FRED (45)
5. RAGAZZO (44)
6. TWIN SPIRES (22)
7. VARSITY GIRL (19)
8. LOVE SAMBA (13)
9. STREAK N ATTITUDE (11)
10. SHAKE EM MONEY POP (11)
 
Other 2-year-olds receiving consideration:
Memories Of Okey (9), Streakin Down (9), Three Times The Toll (11), Sir Ellerton (6), Fast Chick Beduino (6), The Hiway (6) TF MS Special Perry (5), Game Time (1)
 
NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
 
1. SEPARATE BET (64)
2. FIRST MOONFLASH (59)
3. FREAKY (58)
4. JESS YOU AND I (56)
5. TIME FOR A CIGAR (34)
6. EASY DASHIN SIXES (25)
7. ILLEGAL MEMORIES (21)
8. A TEMPTING DASH (13)
9. CUZ EYE SAID (8)
10. NOCONI (7)
 
Other 3-year-olds & up receiving consideration:
My Lady First (6), Stolis Winner (6), Stylish Jess BR (5), Tres Passes (5), Brenda Beautiful (3), Little Bit Of Baja (3), Superbound Superstar (3), Royal Proclamation (2), Lassie O Toole (2), Hydrostatic (1), Alice K White (1), Here To Entertain (1), Jody’s Money Pop (1), Vrrroom (1)

The nine voters are:

Ed Burgart (Los Alamitos announcer/handicapper)
Martha Claussen (writer/handicapper)
Mike Cusortelli (writer/handicapper)
Tom Dawson (network television producer)
Dale Day (Remington Park announcer/handicapper)
Mike Joyce (TVG analyst)
Jeremy Plonk (ESPN.com contributor)
Terry Turrell (HorseplayerPRO.com handicapper)
Ty Wyant (writer, Daily Racing Form and AQHA)

Poll results are also available at aqharacing.com and HorseplayerPRO.com.

AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal, The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal or America’s Horse, visit www.aqha.com/magazines.

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