Page 88 - June 2017

Current Residents
These days, about 120 mares live at Belle Mere Farm year-round. “At this point [in early May], we’ve probably got 215–220 mares here for another 30–45 days until they’re pronounced in foal, and then at least 150 of those will leave,” Betty says.
They currently stand three stallions: Capo De Capi, BV Travelin Soldier and Prized Wagon.
Capo De Capi (Corona Cartel-A Shot At Glory, Strawfly Special) boasts a 108 speed index and is a multiple graded stakes winner that earned $244,647 in two years on the track. His wins include in the Heritage Place Derby-G2 and the Speedhorse Derby-G3. He was a finalist in the Remington Park Futurity-G1 and the Black Gold 330 Futurity.
BV Travelin Soldier (Corona Cartel-Ms Tres Seis, Tres Seis), a 5-year-old stallion, is graded stakes placed, finishing second by a nose in the Heritage Place Futurity-G1 as a 2 year old. At 3, he took third in the Master Bug Handicap and won his trial to the Heritage Place Derby. His earnings top $211,000.
Four year old Prized Wagon (PYC Paint Your Wagon-First Prize Honey, Mr Jess Perry), won just shy of $200,000 on the track and is a full brother to First Prize Leesa si 106 and First Carolina si 106, and is a half-brother to Heza Fast Dash si 103.
Immersed in Horses
The Rapers have worked hard to give back to the industry over the years. Dee served as the OQHRA president for 14 years and played a large part in expanding gaming at Oklahoma racetracks. He won the AQHA’s Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award in 2007 for his
accomplishments and was inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2014, Betty was honored with the Legends Award for women in racing.
Not surprisingly, Betty also spends her leisure time in the company of horses and horse people. “In November when the AQHA World Show comes to Oklahoma City, everyone laughs at me because I tell them, ‘I won’t be here for two weeks.’ I get up at 7 a.m. and sit in the arena and watch
all categories of horses, whether jumping, working cattle, reining, going over trail courses — I love horse events! There’s nothing better than to watch a beautiful equine athlete — unless it’s watching your child — and to share that with all the people you meet who have the same love and admiration for the animal that you do. It’s just a fun two weeks.”
Her one non-horse hobby is going to watch
but to have somebody say they did a good job?” asks Debbie Schauf. For certain, that description fits Betty and Dee Raper and Belle Mere Farm. Witnessing great achievements is an honor, and the racing Quarter Horse industry is honored to have Betty and Dee Raper in its fold.
Dee Raper received the 2007 AQHA Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award for outstanding lifetime achievements in Quarter Horse racing and was inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall
of Fame in 2010. In 2014, Betty was honored with the Legends Award for women in racing.
NBA Thunder basketball games. “That was th e
greatest thing that came to Oklahoma City,” Betty says. “When someone says, ‘I can’t believ you go up there and stay from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.,’ I say, ‘You’re 30 minutes from history an you don’t want to be a part of it?!’ This year, Russell Westbrook set all these triple-double records, and we’re right in the arena to watch it,
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It’s clear that Dee and Betty Raper are inclin
toward the competitive world of sports, be it equine or human. But more so, they are inclined toward the creation of a world where success is
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determined by the love and care of family, frien and the animals they have been entrusted with.
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Capo De Capi
BV Travelin Soldier
Prized Wagon
86 SPEEDHORSE, June 2017