Page 188 - June 2021

NEWS BRIEFS
PAINT RACING NEWS
Smithworks Is Fastest Qualifier for $289,075 G1 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity
Smithworks, son of APHA World Champion Painted Turnpike and out of the Mighty Invic- tus (QH) mare Shesa Mighty Chick, came out on top during the Grade 1 Speedhorse Graham Futurity trials. Sent off as the even-money fa- vorite, Smithworks stopped the timer at :17.952 over a fast track into an 11-mph headwind. Interestingly, the second fastest qualifier, PFR Snowpike, ran an :18.040 into an 18-mph headwind. Smithworks earned the top qualify- ing position followed by PFR Snowpike for the 350-yard races held May 15.
Cody Smith rode Smithworks to a 1-1/2 length victory, earning $3,438 for owner Bryan Hawk of Shawnee, OK, improving the sorrel tobiano’s record to five starts, three wins and one second for a career bankroll of $92,134.
G1 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity Finals Qualifiers
(with jockey, trainer, times, and trial number)
1) Smithworks, Cody Smith, Matt Whitekiller, :17.952, Trial 2
2) PFR Snowpike, Benito Baca, Dee Keener, :18.040, Trial 5
3) RP Reckless Wire, Cody Wainscott, Ray Enlow, :18.161, Trial 4
4) Carole Baskin, Rolando Raudales, Dee Keener, :18.165, Trial 1
5) RF Livies Livewire, Juan Pulido, Dee Keener, :18.180, Trial 3
6) WF Heart Throb, Benito Baca, Dee Keener, :18.182, Trial 4
7) Getrekt By Vito, Cody Smith, Matt Whitekiller, :18.190, Trial 1
8) Capo Cabana, Rolando Raudales, Dee Keener, :18.195, Trial 5
9) De Quick Capo, Justine Klaiber, Eddie Willis, :18.202, Trial 2
10) Shez Wired Up, Juan Pulido, Troy Carter, :18.203, Trial 4
The Speedhorse Graham Futurity finals are scheduled for the final evening of the season― the “Night of Champions” with total purses of more than $2 million―on May 29 at Rem- ington Park in Oklahoma City.
Add a Racing Paint to Your Barn at the 2021 APHA Claiming Futurity
The 2021 APHA Claiming Futurity―with an estimated purse of $25,000―is coming soon to Fair Meadows Racetrack in Tulsa, OK. Trials will be held on June 5, with the finals on June 19. Paints entered in the trials are eligible to be claimed for $10,000, subject to OHRC racing rules. For more information visit our website or call Steve Wright at (918) 645-4392.
ers Association added $35,000 to the futurity and kicked in $12,000 more for the top three accredited Texas-bred Paints in the trials. For more information, visit apha.com/racing/ nomination-forms, or to make a payment, call the Texas Paint Horse Breeders Association at (817) 781-5980.
Keener and Whitekiller in a Race for the Record Books
Trainers Dee Keener and Matt Whitekiller need no introduction to Paint racing fans. Both are chasing career victories and are cur- rently ranked first and second respectively on Paint racing’s all-time leaders list. At the end of 2020, the duo passed the late, great Lewis Wartchow, who finished his career with 321 wins, having started only 1,485 horses. As
of April 22, Keener tallied 330 lifetime wins with 2,075 starts to Whitekiller’s 329 wins from 2,245 starts. Stay tuned as we follow this exciting race throughout the year.
Was Your Paint Foaled in Texas?
Don’t forget to enroll your Texas-foaled horse before starting in a race offering accredited Texas-bred owner awards. Accredited Paints finishing first, second or third in any Texas races are eligible for cash awards, but must be enrolled prior to racing.
The Ruby Buckle Draws Paint Barrel Racers to Guthrie
Paint Horses turned up in droves at the first Ruby Buckle Regional Barrel Race of the year, held April 25 at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, OK. Of the 640 horses in the 4D open race, one out of four were registered Paints.
With $2.3 million in total guaranteed pay- outs split between three regional races, the Ruby Buckle incentive program is attracting serious attention from APHA members. The next re- gional race is July 27–31 in Salina, Utah. Stay tuned for Paint Horse results. For more infor- mation, visit therubybuckle.com.
Bringing you the latest news relating to Paint running horses
186 SPEEDHORSE June 2021
Paint Racing in the Northwest Is Coming Up Fast
Idaho’s Rupert Downs is hosting the Harvest Cup Paint and Appaloosa Futurity with trials on July 4 and finals on July 11. APHA is adding a $2,500-Paint racing incentive to be split among the top four Paint fastest times of each race. Late nominations and entries are accepted. For more information visit apha.com/racing/nomination- forms or call Becky Grant at (208) 431-9766.
Upcoming Paint & Appaloosa Stakes Races in Texas
The G.C.F.A. Juvenile and Maturity is run- ning on July 3 at Gillespie County Fair with $15,000 added to the futurity and $15,000 added to the maturity. Plus, both races feature $5,000 incentives to the top three accredited Texas-bred Paints. Nominations close June 23. For more information, visit apha.com/racing/ nomination-forms or email Sandra Davis at skdavis@hotmail.com.
Nominations are still open for APHA or ApHC-registered horses foaled in 2019 for the Colors of the Alamo Futurity, with trials running on July 24 and finals on Aug. 7 at Retama Park. The Texas Paint Horse Breed-