Page 36 - 27 April 2012

DM Shicago and Carl Draper at Los Alamitos in 2005.
all american accolades
Carl’s inauguration to the big time came
in 2002 when Genuine Strawfly won the All American Derby-G1. Robyne prophetically quipped, “This was fun! Can we do this again!?”
She didn’t really expect to do that again, but just two years later, on Sept. 6, 2004, the Draper family’s dreams were realized in even more dramatic style when Desirio won the All American Juvenile, and then two races later, DM Shicago won every Quarter Horse race trainer’s dream: the All American Futurity-G1.
“DM Shicago changed our lives and [co- owner] Don Moler’s life,” Carl said.
The following year, the talented colt went on to win the Ruidoso’s Derby Triple Crown—the Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American derbies.
As if that wasn’t enough excitement, just three years later, in 2007, the filly Heartswideopen gave Carl his second All American Futurity win.
“I’m so thankful for our partners Ray Willis, Elmer Lee Criswell and Joyce McBride,” Carl said. “They’ve been with us for about 15 years and they’re the best people anyone could train for.”
The wild ride hasn’t stopped. The year 2011 brought some homegrown success in the form of Draper-bred Jenuine Joy. The 2006 mare didn’t get a real start until she was 4, but then she took off like a rocket, amassing a 15-8-1-2 record and $382,230 in just two years. The Drapers also own three of her half-brothers.
In the past eight years, Carl’s horses have won nine AQHA world championships. “The horses that win the championships want to be runners,” Carl said. “They want to run as fast as they can and as smart as they can; they don’t want to make mistakes.”
the Family Vehicle
The Drapers’ racing success has sprung from their passion for horses. Likewise, the horses have acted as the vehicle and provided the framework for deep family bonds that have endured through earlier hard times and struggles.
“We all felt a part of it,” said Dallas. “We’d all been through the sacrifices—the ups and downs—to get to those big wins.”
Carl and Fredda’s daughter and son, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren all live close by. Only some share the horse passion, but all are involved in the business in some way, and all appreciate the blessings that the horse business has brought.
While times weren’t always financially abundant, love and support were never in short supply. True to Carl and Fredda’s lifelong phi- losophy, each family member is encouraged and supported in whatever interest they choose.
“My dad coached Dallas’ sporting events and teams,” Robyne said. And Dallas—whose wife’s name is Robyn without the e—in turn coaches his boys in baseball.
“My parents’ greatest accomplishment is the family that they’ve raised and provided for,” Robyne said. “We’re a strong family with lots of love, and we’re all willing to try things and encourage each other because of the way we were brought up. We have courage because they had the courage to take risks and stay true to themselves.”
Carl and Fredda have held on to that authenticity throughout the 50 years they’ve been married. Their shared love of horses, rodeo, racing and family has cemented their relationships with unbreakable bonds. “There’s nothing I would change, including Carl,” Fredda said. “He’s the love of my life.”
Desirio wins the James Isaac Hobbs Stakes at Zia Park.
Heartswideopen wins the 2007 All American Futurity-G1 at Ruidoso Downs.
34
SPEEDHORSE, April 27, 2012
Jenuine Joy wins the 2011 Zia Handicap at Ruidoso Downs.
The Draper Family: Left to right: Jaxon, his mom Robyn, brother Jordan and dad Dallas; Bella and her mom Robyne; Fredda and Carl; Paige Joy and her parents Jasmyne and Adam Rogers.
INDUSTRY PRofIle
ruidoso downs Bill Pitt, ruidoso downs Zia Park Speedhorse Files
Ty Wyant