Page 236 - August_2023

NEWS BRIEFS
racing in Louisiana, the association remains committed to supporting education for Louisiana students. Since its inception in 2001, the LQHBA scholarship program has provided over $800,000 for students who wish to attend a higher education institution. “The LQHBA Scholarship Fund is something our association is very proud of,” said LQHBA executive director Bruce Salard. “We enjoy meeting these students at each of the state’s major racing
days and seeing their smiles as their names are called.” For more information on the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association, visit their website at LQHBA.com or contact them at (318) 487-9506.
Gun Battle Dies
Gun Battle SI 110 (Dash Ta Fame-On A Bunny, On A High) passed away at the age of
19 in June 2023. The 2004 gray stallion won
nine of 28 starts. He won the Zia Futurity-G1 and Ruidoso Sale Futurity, was second in the
All American Futurity-G1, Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap-G2, Hard Twist Stakes-G3 and New Mexico Classic Futurity, and was third in the Tommy “Duke” Smith Handicap-G2 and New Mexico Bred Invitational Handicap. Bred by Robert Driggers and raced by Robert and Del Rae Driggers, Gun Battle was the the #4 leading by wins and the #6 leader by earnings in 2006. Gun Battle retired in 2009 after a second career
as a barrel horse for Dena Milner, the daughter of the Driggers. “He lived a big, well respected, and much loved life,” said Dena Milner. “He had a fan club, I remember in 2006 every time he walked onto the track the crowd roared so loud it was electric, and he absolutely loved it. There are some horses that are born special, destined to do great things. He knew he was sent from God to bring joy to many people and to give my mom a reason to beat stage 4 cancer. For that, and so much more, he had my absolute devotion and love.”
234 SPEEDHORSE August 2023
Non-Stakes Races
79 & Under Maturity
Ajax Downs • Ajax, Ontario, CAN 6/28/2023 • 330yds • 3&up • $23,743 • Fast
:17.177 Cheeko Malo, 3, g, (One Fabulous Eagle-Leanintoit) James Bogar/J Bogar/D Benitez
Krash On Okey, 3, g, (Krash Cartel-Stayin On Okey) Craig Spada/L Spada/A Sanchez
Joe Checkers, 4, g, (Heza Awesome Blue-Checkuponit) Jennifer Zurowski/J Pascoe/B Bell
APHA 79 & Under Futurity
Fair Meadows • Tulsa, OK
7/1/2023 • 330yds • 2yo • $26,475 • Fast
:17.293 Jimmie Ray, f, (CRM Livewire-Country Judy)
Jimmie R Abraham/M Hurdle/R Raudales
WF Docs Side Chick, f, (Docs Best Card QH-Biker Chick) Painted Faith Racing/D Keener/J Romero
PFR Bernal Spirit, g, (Apollitical Spirit QH-Snowdacious) Real Eagle Racing Stables LLC/L Alexander/C Benn
Open Graduation Futurity
Delta Downs • Vinton, LA
7/5/2023 • 350yds • 3&4yo • $135,690 • Fast
:17.713 Jess The One, 3, c, (Jess Good Candy-Paloma Blanca B)
Omar Parades/L Hernandez/E Hernandez
Astieker, 4, g, (FDD Dynasty-Astica)
Chance Kiehne, Shawn Palmer & Richard Elzy/M Taylor/A Gutierrez Dress Me In Blue, 4, g, (Jess Louisiana Blue-Tete File)
Paul Daigle/P Calais Jr/A Alvarez
Ruidoso Downs
SPEEDHORSE PHOTO ARCHIVE ANSWER
The photo on page 232 shows multiple stakes winner Drop Of Moon (Moon Action-Lady Rain Drops) after winning the 1983 Grade 1 Firecracker Futurity. He is joined in the winner’s circle with his connections, including owner Leo Thompson, trainer Charles Lyles and jockey Alvin Brossette.
Racing for only two years, the 1981 brown horse won six races from 17 starts with two seconds and one third. He earned $252,128 and in addition to the Firecracker Futurity, also won the Delta Downs Louisiana Breeders’ Futurity and was a finalist in the 1984 Firecracker Derby-G2, LQHBA Futurity and Budweiser Invitational Championship.
After a successful career on the track, Drop Of Moon began his career as a sire where he produced earners of $293,729 from limited starters including Chapoteo, second place finisher in the LQHBA Futurity-RG3. He also sired County Moon, finalist in the 1989 Louisiana Bred Laddie Futurity-RG3.
This year’s $261,595 Firecracker Futurity-G2 was won wire-to-wire by Motion Of Grace, ridden by Victor Urieta Jr. for owner/breeder Francisco Javier Garza and trainer Juan Diaz Jr.
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