Page 13 - December 2020

“We have exciting work ahead, and I look forward helping usher the Foundation into a new era benefitting the horse that we all love so much.”
TRACK CHATTER
“He’s done a great job for our barn this season,” Smith said of Mendez.
One of the horses that stood out in Smith’s barn this year was Louisiana Lover, who was named 2020 Leading Quarter Horse of the Meet. The award, presented by the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana, was earned by the 3 year old who won five of seven starts and in excess of $189,000 for owner Brian Gunder. In addition, Louisiana Lover won two stakes in the Sterlie Bertram Memorial and Blue River Derby.
Joining Louisiana Lover as a top performer for the Smith Stable was WRS Apolliticalivory, who went undefeated in five starts for owners Gwen and Randy Williams of Williams Racing Stable. The Williamses had an outstanding meet, earning 13 wins and leading owner of the meet honors.
Williams Racing Stable scored their first leading Quarter Horse title at Indiana Grand.
WILL ROGERS ANNOUNCES MEET AWARDS
Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs wrapped up its 2020 American Quarter Horse Association racing season on Nov. 14.
The 28-day meet featured American Quarter Horse, Appaloosa and Paint stakes races and offered $2.4 million in overnight purses. This was the track’s 11th consecutive sprint meet.
The Claremore, Oklahoma track followed national trends with increased handle during their 2020 meet. More than $5.7 million was wagered both on- and off-track, an increase of 105% compared to the 2019 fall meet.
“As we wrap up another successful meet at Will Rogers Downs, we’re proud to have done so safely with diligent protocols in place and adher- ence to CDC guidelines,” said John Lies, racing secretary and track announcer at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs. “We completed a good meet this fall, and horsemen competed for opportunities similar to what they’d seen here
in recent years. That alone was a tremendous accomplishment amidst the ongoing pandemic.” Racing was open to the public and followed
Cherokee Nation Businesses’ Responsible Hospitality program. At all Will Rogers Downs and all Cherokee Nation casinos, enhanced cleaning and safety protocols have been imple- mented and patrons and employees are required to use face masks.
Jess My Hocks, a 3-year-old gelding by Kiss My Hocks, was selected as the 2020 Horse of the Meet. His three wins includes a victory in the trials and final of the AQHA Derby Challenge and a win at the AQHA Derby Challenge Championship in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The sorrel geld- ing earned $184,995 for owners Tom and Kathleen McNally and trainer
Michelle Hurdle.
The leading jockey title went to Daniel Torres, who rode 40 winners at the meet. The 2019 titleholder, Justine Klaiber, fin- ished second in the standings with 33 wins. Torres rode 31 Quarter Horse winners and nine mixed winners to receive top honors while Klaiber rode 27 Quarter Horse and six mixed winners.
Trainer Eddie D. Willis earned the 2020 leading trainer buckle, and retained the title that he earned in 2018 and 2019. Willis’ trainees won 21 races, finished second 15 times and had 21 thirds from 107 runners. Willis’ Quarter Horses earned $249,445 at the meet and won at an 18 percent clip. His trainees finished in the money 51% of the time. Trainer Carlos Ruiz finished second in the standings with 17 total wins.
Owner Felipe Martinez-Morales earned leading owner honors with six wins and two seconds from 13 starters at the fall meet.
SITZ RETURNS TO QUARTER HORSE FOUNDATION
Christine Sitz of Edmond, Oklahoma, is serving as the interim chief Foundation officer
of the American Quarter Horse Foundation. She returned to the Foundation Nov. 10.
In her role, Sitz will partner with Foundation staff, the Board of Trustees, Foundation Council and committees to enhance and implement the Foundation’s mission and vision; oversee annual operating budgets and endowment fund management practices to ensure fiscal transparency; provide oversight and growth strategy for fundraising and advancement services; and guide the grant- making and scholarship program to enhanced impact with a goal to serve the current and future needs of AQHA membership and the equine industry.
“We are excited to welcome Sitz back to our team as the interim chief Foundation officer,” Craig P. Huffhines, AQHA Executive Vice President, announced in a press release. “Her experience with founda- tion management, fundraising and outreach programing are fantastic assets to add to our team to serve AQHA members through Foundation initiatives.”
“I am thrilled to be rejoining the team at AQHA as I am passionate about the charitable work of the Foundation and count the friends I have made through my time there as family,” Sitz stated. “We have exciting work ahead, and I look forward helping usher the Foundation into a new era benefitting the horse that we all love so much.”
Visit www.aqha.com/foundation-overview to learn more about the research, scholarships and other charitable activities of the American Quarter Horse Foundation.
Got Good News to Share?
Do you have a positive story that you’d like to share? Send photos and news items to jennifer_k_hancock@hotmail.com.
“We completed a good meet this fall, and horsemen competed for opportunities similar to what they’d seen here in recent years. That alone was a tremendous accomplishment amidst the ongoing pandemic.” - John Lies, Will Rogers Downs
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