Page 158 - April2020.indd

RACING NEWS
Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby-G1
SOUTHERN ELECTRIC
by Tracy Gantz
Dan and Kaye Jones of Kemp, Texas, were hoping to bring relatives from Colorado with them to Remington Park to see their
homebred Southern Electric in the $56,000 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby-G1 on March 21. But the coronavirus pandemic caused Remington Park and other tracks around the country to stage races with- out spectators.
The situation did result in one benefit, though, as TVG broadcast the Remington Park Quarter Horse card.
“I was able to get my family across the country to watch Remington on TVG and
see our horses run for the first time,” said Kaye. “We had people watching from Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado.”
Southern Electric put on a show for them. Fresh off receiving the 2019 Paint World Champion award, he staked his first claim
to a 2020 title with a victory in the 350-yard Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby-G1.
Matt Whitekiller trains Southern Electric for Dan and Kaye, and he also trains the gelding’s main competition, DTL Chasin Tale. Southern Electric went off as the 7-10 favorite under jockey Andrew Samaniego.
Breaking on top, he led throughout to score by 3/4-length over DTL Chasin Tale, stopping the timer in :17.530 and posting a 90 speed index.
The two stablemates traded victories through- out 2019 and tied for the year’s Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Triple Crown Hi-Point Champion Award.
“DTL Chasin Tale and
he were just back and forth last year,” stated Kaye. She laughed and added, “It was kind of good to see us beat him.”
Dan & Kaye are friends with Dean and Tonya Lester, who bred and race DTL Chasin Tale.
“We love the Lesters,” said Kaye. “We had pretty friendly competition last year. We’d see each other and say, ‘Okay, you won that one; we get the next one.’ By and large, it’s like a big family reunion when we get together at the races.”
Last year, Southern Electric scored in
the PSBA Futurity-G1 at Remington, the Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity-G1 at
Fair Meadows, and the Pot O’ Gold Futurity-G1 and Speedhorse Championship Futurity-G1 at Will Rogers Downs.
“He has come back this year in great shape,” said Kaye. “He’s been a fun horse for us.”
“I thought the race was fantastic,” continued Kaye, who also had to watch from home with the restrictions.
“He got out good, stayed right where he was supposed to be, and made it look easy.”
Although Dan and Kaye didn’t get to stand in the winner’s circle with Southern Electric, Kaye said they got to see Speedhorse president John Bachelor, “with our trophy.”
Southern Electric means even more to Dan and Kaye because they are responsible for both sides of his pedigree. They bred and raced
his sire, CRM Livewire, a two-time World Champion Paint who has become a leading sire. They bought the Quarter Horse mare Ze Southern Girl because they thought she would cross well with CRM Livewire, and Texas-bred Southern Electric resulted.
Remington Park $56,000 • 350 yards :17.530 • si 90
Cartel Success QH
CRM Livewire
Elaina Go Go
SOUTHERN ELECTRIC APHA, ‘17-g.
Southern Cartel
Ze Southern Girl QH
Ze Special
Southern Electric and jockey Andrew Samaniego were never headed in the $56,000 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Derby-G1.
156 SPEEDHORSE April 2020
Dustin Orona Photography