Page 160 - May 2018 Speedhorse

Get to know Steve Wright, Vice-Chairman of APHA’s Racing Advisory Committee
Q. How long have you been involved in the racing industry in general and Paint racing specifically?
A. I have been in the racing industry since the early ’80s and was introduced to it by my dad, who had Quarter Horses. I helped and worked in the barn, and I actually bought my first racehorse when I was 23. In 2002, I got involved with the Paints when Brandon Parum introduced me to Gary Kilgore and Linda Fox.
Q. Tell me about some of your favorite Paint Horses?
A. My favorite Paint was Harry N Jerry. I purchased him from Gary Kilgore, and he ran his 2-year-old year, running second numerous times in what seemed to be a constant chase to Angel Easter
Flash. Some of my other favorites include Biker Chick, SW Eye Candy and Super Glide Harley.
Q. Tell me about your favorite Paint racing memory?
A. My favorite Paint racing memory was July 2011 at Fair Meadows Racetrack when SW Eye Candy, who had not shown much early on, won her Speedhorse Futurity trial with a photo finish to Flashthechicks, the eventual 2011 World Champion.
Q. Why do you enjoy breeding Paint Horses?
A. I enjoy so many things: the color, the speed, and the competition to breed, raise and produce black-type families.
2012 APHA Champion Running 2-Year-Old Filly SW Eye Candy, co-owned by Wright, is shown here winning the 2011 Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity-G1.
Q. Why do you love Paint racing?
A. Paint racing seems to be an underdog in many ways. I am always up for a challenge to help improve and show the underdogs can win.
I love the fact that Paint breeders are now taking world-class individuals to the tracks that are running good times in races, trials and finals, proving they are not something to be ignored. My dream would be to have
a sanctioned race, a simple 10-head entry, based on merit, which would allow the best of the breeds to run against one another and really showcase our Paint abilities.
Q. Why should others get involved in Paint racing?
A. Why not? For the love of the color is one thing. Thanks to the APHA stakes rule change a few years back (which requires a Regular Registered Paint parent in the first and second generation to be eligible for APHA stakes), we are now seeing colored offspring of Quarter Horse sires like PYC Paint Your Wagon, Capo De Capi, Second Painted Sign and many more.
As a breeder, we can sell weanlings or yearlings that can then compete as 2 year olds in $150,000 and up Paint futurities with the potential of earning over $100,000 as a 2 year old. Most Paint futurities are taking an average of 50-60 head annually. The Paint Racing Advisory Committee continues to promote and help supplement more Paint racing opportunities—it is a great time to get involved with Paint racing.
Super Glide Harley, bred by Wright, is shown in the winner’s circle with his connections as they receive the 2012 Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa High-Point Champion Award.
158 SPEEDHORSE May 2018
PAINT HORSE BULLETIN