Page 12 - October 2016

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by Jennifer K. Hancock
Labor Day races at the Mountain
Labor Day weekend in Ruidoso did not disappoint with a full weekend of great races. The All American Futurity and Derby trials produced finals with talented athletes and some great storylines. Industry players are drawn to the mountain by the great races and the quality horses offered at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.
It’s always great to meet new race fans and see long- time friends at Ruidoso – especially in the winner’s circle.
Fredda Draper contemplated giving up her regular table at the track this year after her husband, two-time All American winning trainer Carl Draper, passed away last December. The Drapers were married for 53 years, and the thought of being at the track without her partner, whom she called “Bubba,” seemed almost too much to bear. Fredda has been in the game a long time and is as tough as they come, so she mustered up the strength and returned this season to the place just a few miles from her home where so many fond Draper family memories have been banked.
And on Labor Day, she added a new title to her impressive racing resume as All American winning breeder. Fredda’s love for fast horses is immeasurable, and her dislike for talking to reporters is almost equally as strong.
I found that out when she evaded me after DM Shicago won the All American Futurity in 2004. Draper owned the 2005 World Champion in partnership with Don Moler. I eventually was able
to coax her outside the Hubbard Museum of the American West during the All American Futurity celebratory brunch that year for an interview. Sitting at a picnic table, we became fast friends with an instant connection of love of horses and family.
On this Labor Day, I met her on the track soon
after she gave another All American winning gray a congratulatory pet on the nose.
Imperial Eagle is a second-generation homebred as Draper also bred his dam, Jenuine Joy. The Genuine Strawfly mare is a five-time stakes winner who earned $382,230 in her career on the track.
“I’ve had that mare since she was a baby,” Draper said. “I named her after my great granddaughter Paige Joy (Helena Rogers) – Jenuine Joy.”
After five decades of marriage, Draper felt Carl’s presence on Labor Day.
“He was up there,” she said. “I told him, ‘Bubba, help us.’”
Asked to compare being connected to the All American winner as an owner and as a breeder, Draper replied, “There’s no difference in the emotions winning the All American as an owner and now as a breeder.
It’s just the excitement, and I’m so, so happy for Mr. Robinson. My heart just goes out for him because he’s been in it for so many years. Meeting him today was an honor for me. It’s so exciting to watch one of my babies grow up and win the All American. I loved this horse
as a baby – he was jet black and bald faced. Then, he turned sorrel with a bald face. And now, we have a gray.”
Draper was appreciative of the Burns Ranch staff for the support and help she has received with her breeding program that produced an All American winner. “I owe it to Dr. Steve Burns and his wife, Jo.”
Draper has promised to share some of her favorite racing stories with me and Speedhorse readers soon. I can’t wait.
Congratulations again to the All American Futurity and Derby winners, who reached the top of our sport’s mountain on Labor Day weekend this year!
the chaLLenge chaMpionship
The countdown is on for the 2016 Bank of America Challenge Championships. This year’s Championship event will be Oct. 29 at Los Alamitos Race Course. This will be a record-setting 11th time that Quarter Horse racing’s premiere event will be held at the Orange County, California track. To register for the event, visit aqha.com or call the Bank of America Racing Challenge hotline toll free at (877) 222-7223. Table reservations for the Vessels Club for Saturday’s championship races must be made directly with Los Alamitos by calling (714) 820-2680.
saM thoMpson MeMoriaL FounDation
During the Ruidoso Select Sale in September, the Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation hosted a silent auction and raffle to raise funds for its scholarship program. The funds raised will benefit applicants from the horse racing community for the 2016-2017 school year, and 100% of the proceeds are being put to toward the scholarships. The scholarships are go-
Send photos and news items to jennifer_k_hancock@hotmail.com.
The MonTh in review
10 SPEEDHORSE, October 2016
Track chaTTer