Page 41 - September 2020

SPEEDLINES
Rocket Wrangler’s winning connections, include owner John Adams, trainer C. W. “Bubba” Cascio and jockey Jerry Nicodemus.
Rocket Wrangler and Bubba Cascio are now members of the AQHA Hall of Fame with many of the runners trained by Cascio coming down the line through Rocket Wrangler and his decision to breed Rocket Bar to Go Galla Go.
Rocket Wrangler took the lead from about 100 to 150 yards from the finish line. The time was :20.09 for the 400 yards and the winner’s share of the purse was $178,488. Tony B Deck was third followed by See Him Go. Mr Three Spot and Jet Charger tied for fifth in a dead heat. Vennetta Creek was next across the wire followed by Boston Mac, Rebel Seeker and Mr Salty Signal.
Rocket Wrangler continued to race, bringing in a win in the trials of the Goliad Futurity and a second in the final. He was second in his trial for the All American Congress Futurity and he placed second in the finals, as well. He finished out the year with a win in his trial for the Sunland Park Fall Futurity and a third in the finals. He went to post 13 times in 1970, with seven wins, three seconds and two thirds earning $239,890. He was named 1970 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt.
B. F. Phillips Jr. bought half interest in Rocket Wrangler, and the horse did not run in 1971. He stood at the Phillips Ranch in 1971 and 1972, and this is where he sired his legendary son Dash For Cash in his 1973 crop. He returned to the races in 1972 under the sole ownership of Adams, with a win in the New Mexico State Fair Handicap. He finished third in the C. L. Maddon’s Bright Eyes Stakes, sixth in the HQHRA Inaugural Handicap, and sixth in the Champion of Champions. He finished his racing career with a sixth in the Peninsula Stakes, a third in the Torrey Pines Stakes and tenth in
the Horsemen’s QHRA Championship in 1973. He made 23 starts with 10 wins, four seconds and four thirds earning $252,167 in his career.
Rocket Wrangler continued life under several owners, with his last owner being the Rocket Wrangler Syndicate. He sired
horses that earned $9,407,809 with 56 stakes winners. His leading money earner is 2-time World Champion Dash For Cash. Rocket Wrangler, as a maternal grandsire, shows earnings of $15,222,243 with 85 stakes winners. The leading money winner here
is Miami Cartel by Corona Cartel, a four- time stakes winner including the 2002 Los Alamitos Derby-G1.
When Cascio bred Go Galla Go to Rocket Bar, who sired good two year olds,
he had the two-year-old races in mind and that lead to his fulfilling the All American Dream. Rocket Wrangler and Bubba Cascio are now members of the AQHA Hall of Fame, with many of the runners trained by Cascio coming down the line through Rocket Wrangler and his decision to breed Rocket Bar to Go Galla Go. They include such great runners as Dash For Cash, Dashingly and Justanold Love.
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