Page 221 - August 2017

Painted Turnpike is the first ever Speedhorse Triple Crown winner, taking all three Grade 1 futurities in 2015, including:
2nd leg • $86,890
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1st leg • $213,500 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity at Remington Park
3rd leg • $89,780 Speedhorse Lone Star Paint & Appaloosa Futurity at Lone Star Park
Paint racehorse overall. His gallant efforts as a 2 year old earned him the title of APHA’s 2015 World Champion Running Solid Paint-Bred, along with earning other year-end Champion racehorse titles.
“He is a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and it’s a godsend to have him pass through my barn in training,” Whitekiller said. “He is the best at everything he does and the most special horse I’ve ever had in my life. I am fortunate he is in my barn, and I am not the one chasing him.”
Among The Greats
As a 3 year old, Painted Turnpike contin- ued his dominance, winning rain or shine.
When the dust settled on his sophomore campaign, he claimed the 2016 World Cham- pion Running Solid Paint-Bred honor for the second year in a row, in addition to be being named 2016 Solid Paint-Bred 3-Year-Old Run- ning Champion.
“You expect him to win because you expect that much of him,” Whitekiller humbly said. “When he works, he works hard; when he rests, he rests hard. He is what you want your horse to be no matter the breed.”
Now at 4 years of age, Painted Turnpike is APHA’s new lifetime leading Paint racehorse. He recorded a final time of :17.452 over 350 yards in the 2017 Lewis Wartchow Stakes, earning $8,460 for besting a field of five. The victory surged his career earnings to $363,872,
overtaking the No. 1 spot on the lifetime lead- ers list from the legendary Got Country Grip.
Got Country Grip, a 2003 bay solid geld- ing by Country Quick Dash and out of Got A Grip, amassed $361,881 over his racing career. The gelding earned five consecutive World Champion Solid Paint-Bred racing titles from 2005–2009 and was the lifetime leading mon- ey earning Paint Horse for more than a decade.
“When he was a 2 year old, we weren’t even thinking about records like this,” Whitekiller said of Painted Turnpike. “We knew he was
a special horse and fast, but with fast horses comes soundness issues. That’s one thing; he has been is a really sound horse. He has never taken a sore step. He just outdid us and has gotten better as he has gotten older.”
The record books finally agree with what everyone close to Painted Turnpike has said all along—he is one of the great ones. The strik- ing, bay stallion has now permanently left his name is history.
“I have never seen a horse that can just demolish a field, go back to the winner’s circle and pull the blinkers off, and then put my grandchild on him,” Whitekiller said. “That is how he is; when it’s over, it’s over. He is a pretty special individual because he is a true professional.”
Over his beyond outstanding career, Painted Turnpike has built-up a dedicated fan base. Everywhere Painted Turnpike runs, his fans are there to cheer and bet on their “PT.” People call to check on him and see where he is racing next, Whitekiller says. Not only has he captured the heart of racing fans, but those who are not followers of the sport as well.
“What makes him so unbeatable is No.1, his talent, and No. 2, he loves it,” Whitekiller said. “He is the most professional horse I have been around and I am glad he is now recog- nized as one of the greats, because he is. There will never be another like him.”
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