Page 174 - August 2016

Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity-G1
TRUCK YEAH
by John Moorehouse
As a 37-1 longshot, Truck Yeah surprised the oddsmakers and the wagerers by winning the Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity-G1 on July 30 at Fair Meadows in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
To trainer Matthew McCart, however, see- ing Truck Yeah win the $89,100 stakes was no surprise at all.
Truck Yeah didn’t give the other horses in the Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity field any respite.
The gelding broke on top from the 7-gate, built a 1/2-length lead by the first call, and maintained that advantage at every remaining call.
Ridden by Larry Payne, Truck Yeah com- pleted the 350-yard event in :17.787, posting an 87 speed index.
“We thought he was really nice from the very beginning, He just hadn’t put it together mentally,” McCart said. “We knew if he ever put a race together, that he was going to be really hard to beat.”
It happened at an oppor- tune time. Truck Yeah’s victory marked his third in seven career starts, and pro- duced a $33,858 payday that increased his total bankroll to $48,284 for owners Wade and Charles Leggett.
The Speedhorse Paint &
Appaloosa Futurity was the
second leg of the Speedhorse
Paint & Appaloosa Triple
Crown. The third leg is the
Speedhorse Lone Star Paint & Appaloosa Futurity that is to be held at Lone Star Park in October.
Truck Yeah finished third in his trial heat for the Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity on July 16, giving him the eighth fastest quali- fying time.
Truck Yeah opened his career at this year’s Remington Park meet where he made four starts, including an eighth-place finish in the PSBA Futurity-G1.
“After Remington was over, we thought the horse was maybe a little tired and just needed some time to develop,” said McCart, who proceeded to give Truck Yeah 30 days off as a result before taking him to Fair Meadows, where he has compiled a 1-0-1 record in three starts.
“It really turned the tables, giving him a break and letting him recoup,” McCart said.
“We knew if he left the gates well, he was going to be hard to beat,” McCart observed.
McCart remains confident about his horse’s future chances, and Truck Yeah is already paid into the Pot O’ Gold Futurity.
Wade Leggett also bred Truck Yeah and owns his dam, Crazy Mother Trucker, a 2009 mare who also holds black type. She won the 2012 running of the Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby-G1, the highlight
Fair Meadows $89,100 • 350 yards :17.787 • si 87
Royal Quick Dash QH
Royal Quick Flash
Venice Song
TRUCK YEAH APHA, ‘14-g.
Sweet First Down QH
Crazy Mother Trucker
Texas Fourwinds
Truck Yeah & Larry Payne go wire -to-wire to win the $68,700 Grade 1 Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity by 1/2-length
172 SPEEDHORSE, August 2016
RACING NEWS
Coady Photography