Page 41 - September 2018

The All American Futurity win by Moon Lark is a great rags to riches story for the Howard family.
Moon Lark wins the 1978 All American Futurity.
Moon Lark Wins the 1978 All American Futurity
The press called Sam, James and Paul Howard the “poor country boys” from Oklahoma whose dream came true winning the 1978 All American Futurity with Moon Lark. Moon Lark, by Top Moon and out of Pan O Lan by Lanolark TB, was bred by Sam Howard. Sam formed a partnership with his uncles James and Paul to race the colt. Paul broke and trained Moon Lark to start his race career.
When Paul came to Ruidoso with Moon Lark, he had no official starts but had been raced as a yearling at Blue Ribbon Downs. The winnings in these yearling races helped finance the move to Ruidoso and the first start for the colt. However, the colt came down with a virus after arriving in New Mexico.
Moon Lark ran in the trials to the Kansas Futurity to win and qualify for the Kansas Consolation, but was scratched due to the effects of the virus. When the funds fell short, Leon, a third brother to James and Paul, came through to help and they continued their quest for the All American. It was about this time that Paul had to return to Oklahoma, and they left Moon Lark with a trainer named Jack Brooks.
This is where Jack Brooks and Jacky
Martin enter the picture and, as they say, the rest is history. Moon Lark won his trial to the Rainbow Futurity, qualifying to the finals for trainer Brooks with Martin as his jockey. His competition was Vespero, who had won his trial
in the Kansas Futurity but had been disqualified and placed sixth due to interference. Vespero was the fastest qualifier to the Rainbow.
When the gates opened for the Rainbow finals, Moon Lark took the lead with Miss Top Dial
right there with him. Vespero was third in what was termed a three-horse race. Vespero overtook Moon Lark to win the Rainbow by 3/4-length. Moon Lark finished second, earning $70,688 and insuring that the Howard’s would continue their quest for their All American Dream.
The 1978 All American Futurity shaped up to be a rematch between Vespero and Moon Lark, with Osage Juana showing them up in the trials as the fastest qualifier with a time of :22.16 for the 440 yards. Moon Lark qualified in :22.18 and Vespero in :22.24. The field
also included Super Sound Charge, a future World Champion with a qualifying time of :22.41; Kansas Futurity winner Gentlemens Feature with a time of :22.43, and Oh
Shiney, another future Champion.
When the gates opened for the finals, it was a bumpy start for several in the field with Moon Lark escaping the problems. Vespero took the lead this
time with Moon Lark behind him, but gaining as the race went on. Moon Lark soon took the lead, winning by 3/4-length over Osage Juana with Holme Maid third and Vespero coming in fourth.
Moon Lark was the 1979 World Champion and became a World Champion Sire.
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