Page 170 - August 2017

Speedhorse Derby
BORN TO B BAD
by Tracy Gantz
The husband and wife team of Cody Bowling and Melissa Slayton didn’t set out to own racehorses. Bowling is a team roper, while Slayton bred and raised POAs (Pony of the Americas) and has barrel raced and shown halter horses.
They branched out into racehorses after breeding a barrel mare and buying property in Tolar, Texas, that included a 1/2-mile track. Homebred Born To B Bad gave them their “first big winner,” Slayton said, when he captured the July 29 Speedhorse Derby at Fair Meadows.
“They’re like your kids,” said Slayton. “You want to see them grow up and be successful.”
By any measurement, Born To B Bad has done just that. After qualifying the fastest for the Speedhorse Derby, the gelding went off as the 11-10 favorite in the final. He broke fourth and immediately went to the lead, dueling with Damn Straight. Born To B Bad refused to give up the lead, prevailing by a neck in :17.423 for 350 yards under jockey Josh Romero.
“Josh did a great job riding him and was super excited to ride this horse,” said Slayton. “I was glad he got the opportunity. I’m pretty
sure Josh rode him in the Derby with a broken foot.” The day after the race,
Romero on Facebook posted photos of his right foot, which had been injured in the starting gate in an ear- lier race. Romero thanked the assistant starters, who “are very much a big part of our safety.”
Slayton also praised
trainer Tammy Johnson
and Johnson’s husband, Mike Wakefield, of Rockin J Running Horses.
“Tammy is amazing,” said Slayton. “She’s involved in every aspect of the racing. She has a knack for picking a race where your horse fits. She can evaluate your horse and find where your horse is going to be most success- ful. That, to me as a new owner, means a lot. I can’t say enough good things about them.”
Slayton and Bowling have only been in racing for about five years. They call their property The Race Place, and they not only breed and raise their own horses, they rehabili- tate them for others. Both hold down full-time
jobs, as Slayton is a registered nurse and Bowling owns a security business.
Bowling was able to attend the Speedhorse Derby, while Slayton missed it due to the Texas Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale, held the same weekend. The Race Place had a three-horse consignment, including Little Moe Vodka, a half-brother to Born To B Bad.
Born To B Bad is the first winner in three starters for winner Dosvedanya, a mare Slayton said they bought at Heritage Place. They pur- chased her with partner N.R. Stevenson and bred Born To B Bad in partnership with him. Mimi Scooter, Born To B Bad’s second dam, won the Kansas Futurity-G2 and Iowa Double Gold Futurity-G3, and the third dam, Queen Zenobia, is also a stakes winner.
“He was the easiest foal,” Slayton said of Born To B Bad. “Every since he was born he’s been special to us. He’s always glad to see you in the barn. He wants to please you. He’s just really good-minded.”
Fair Meadows $66,600 • 350 yards :17.423 • si 99
PYC Paint Your Wagon
Freighttrain B
Dianetogetcha
BORN TO B BAD, ’14-g.
Separatist
Dosvedanya
Mimi Scooter
Co-owner Cody Bowling, Tana Caldwell & Mike Wakefield for trainer Tammy Johnson & rider Josh Romero after Born To B Bad won the Speedhorse Derby
168 SPEEDHORSE, August 2017
RACING NEWS
Susan Bachelor