Page 19 - January_2023

WILL ROGERS MEET WRAP UP
Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs ended its 27-day American Quarter Horse meet on Nov. 15, recording a 17% increase in wagering handle from its 2021 season.
A total of 290 races were run at the Claremore, Oklahoma track, and field sizes averaged eight horses per race. More than $5.6 million was wagered on the track’s live product.
Instygator is a 2018 brown gelding who was bred by Champion Breeder Bobby
D. Cox and is owned by Barboza Racing Corp. of Seagoville, Texas. He is by Ivory James and out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Eye Popping, who is also the dam of Grade 1 winner Shott Gun (by Valiant Hero, $580,619). Instygator has won 10 of 17 career starts and earned $1,582,551. He won the 2021 All American Derby-G1, then picked up his second Grade 1 win in the 2021 Championship at Sunland Park. He earned his third in the 2022 Refrigerator Invitational on Nov. 26. He also has second-place finishes in the 2020 All American Futurity-G1, 2020 Texas Classic Futurity-G1 and the 2022 Leo Stakes,
and was third in the 2020 Heritage
Place Futurity-G1.
KJ Desperado also earned an AQHA Supreme Race Horse title in November.
AQHA CONVENTION HEADED TO FORT WORTH
All American Quarter Horse Association members and horse enthusiasts from around the world are invited to attend the 2023 AQHA Convention, which is slated for Feb. 24-27 at the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.
Register online by Jan. 31 to avoid late registration fees. AQHA is again offering the young adult registration, which is a special registration rate for members ages 35 and under to be involved in the Association’s governance process.
In addition to attending membership, board of director and committee meetings, convention attendees will have the opportunity to attend the Affiliates In Motion Rally, plus mix and mingle with fellow horse enthusiasts during special events and receptions.
Attendees can also purchase tickets to honor the breeders who have shaped the equine industry during the AQHA Breeder Recognition Banquet, presented by Teton Ridge, on Feb. 26.
The Omni Fort Worth hotel is offering a special convention rate, but reservations must be made prior to February 3, 2023. For more information on the 2023 AQHA Convention, visit www.aqha.com/convention.
Kiss Thru Fire has raced 32 times, winning 13 races and earning $708,025. She won
her first Grade 1 in the 2021 Charger Bar Handicap at Los Alamitos and captured her second in the 2022 Charger Bar Handicap. She most recently won the Las Damas Handicap-G2 on Nov. 19, defeating multiple Grade 1 winner Pattys Saint by a neck.
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“We were encouraged by the wagering interest shown in our product this fall, thanks in large part to live coverage whenever possible,” said John Lies, racing secretary, announcer and oddsmaker at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “Our experiment in racing on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays also allowed more horses
and trainers to ship in from out of state on otherwise dark days.”
Roman Cruz was Will Rogers Downs’ leading jockey with 39 wins from 200 mounts. Jason Olmstead was the meet’s leading trainer with 27 wins, while Double A Ranch Inc. was the meet’s leading owner with nine wins from 31 starts.
SUPREME RACE HORSE TITLES ANNOUNCED
Champion Kiss Thru Fire and the Ivory James gelding Instygator have each earned the AQHA Supreme Race Horse title.
The Supreme Race Horse title is given to racing American Quarter Horse that during its career earns $500,000 or more, wins two or more open Grade 1 stakes races and at least 10 races.
Kiss Thru Fire is a 2017 sorrel mare bred and owned by Gentry Farms of Lubbock, Texas.
She is by Walk Thru Fire and out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Fredaville, who is herself a Champion. Kiss Thru Fire is the sport’s reigning Champion Aged Mare.
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