Page 14 - January 2019

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by Jennifer K. Hancock
2019 RUIDOSO HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
The Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame’s 2019 class of inductees includes owner/breeder Harriett Peckham, trainer Leo Wood, jockey Johnny Cox and 2006 Thoroughbred gelding Mine That Bird. The induction ceremony will take place during this summer’s Ruidoso Downs’ racing season at a date to be determined.
Harriett Peckham established and owned Buena Suerte Ranch east of Roswell, New Mexico. One
of 12 women in the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, she owned or co-owned three horses in the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame and the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame – Easy Jet, Go Man Go and Rocket Bar TB, all of which stood at Buena Suerte Ranch. She also owned and stood Brazos Bar, Real Easy Jet, Rocket Wrangler, Sparkling Native TB and St Bar.
Peckham was also known for her blue-hen brood- mare band, including 1964 World Champion Goetta; 1964 All American Futurity winner Decketta; Miss Jelly Roll, the dam of All American Futurity winner and 1979 Champion Pie In The Sky; Miss Assured, the dam of multiple Champion sire Streakin Six; Miss Olene, the dam of 1977 and 1978 Champion Little
Blue Sheep; and 1970 Champion Go Together, who produced the family of All American Futurity winners Fly Baby Fly and 1995 World Champion Winalota Cash. Peckham, who was a strong proponent of improved care of broodmares, died at 64 in April 1995.
Leo Wood trained All American Futurity win- ner and 1979 Champion Pie In The Sky, Rainbow Futurity winner Flying Rockette, and Rainbow Futurity winner and 1980 Champion Mighty Deck Three, who was also the fastest qualifier to the 1980 All American Futurity and finished second as the favorite to Higheasterjet.
Wood mentored multiple Grade 1-winning trainer Mike Joiner; Blane Wood, his son and
the trainer of 2018 All American Futurity winner Apocalyptical Jess; and Gregg Sanders, who trained 1995 All American Futurity winner and 1995 World Champion Winalota Cash.
Johnny Cox’s career was headlined by his record-setting victory in the 1971 All American Futurity aboard 1971 Champion Mr Kid Charge, who set the then All American Futurity stakes record for 400 yards at :19.65. Cox also won the Rainbow Futurity on Mr Kid Charge and Talent Bar in 1965. He rode Talent Bar to victory when he
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
Jennifer K. Hancock
Harriett Peckham is among those to be honored at the 2019 Ruidoso Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
10 SPEEDHORSE, January 2019
TRACK CHATTER