Page 181 - June_2023

Mister Lewie P&A Memorial-G1
LIVEWIRESTURNPIKE
Wby Michael Compton
hen Livewires Turnpike dominated his rivals in
the Mister Lewie Memorial-G1 at Remington Park on May 29, the victory was an emotional one
for trainer Matt Whitekiller. Winning a race named for the late Lewis Wartchow, the all-time winningest trainer of Paints, Whitekiller felt it was an appropriate tribute to the man who took him under his wing years ago. “He was a good one,” Whitekiller said, fighting back tears. “A real good one. I’m just glad Curtis (Wartchow, Lew’s grandson) was here with his family.”
Ridden by Francisco Calderon, Livewires Turnpike grabbed the lead soon after the start of the 400-yard test. He lengthened his advantage through the lane
and won as he pleased by 1 3/4-lengths as the odds-on favorite. Livewires Turnpike covered the distance in :19.504 and earned a speed index of 98 in the impressive score. The victory was his sixth in his last seven outings.
Calderon said of the win, “It’s like Matt said, ‘just find a hole and don’t fall off.’ I just sat down on him, and he did it on his own.”
Now a winner in nine of 13 starts, Livewires Turnpike, with the $20,784 winner’s share of the purse, increased his bankroll to $174,036. Bred in Oklahoma by Nolan Pevehouse, Livewires Turnpike is out of the PYC Paint Your Wagon mare Wagon On Turnpike.
Runner-up RP Reckless Wire (CRM Livewire-RP Miss Reckess Dash) & jockey Cody Wainscott were 2nd for owner Jeff Adams and trainer Dee Keener. Finishing just a head behind RP Reckless Wire in 3rd was Paint Em A Vision (Second Painted Sign-Emmas Vision). Jockey Andrew Samaniego piloted the gelding for owner/trainer Michael Moss. Followed
by Mhshes Wired (CRM Livewire-Personal Ensign), Queen For Cash (Hes Relentless-Ivory Queen), Hes A Harley (Hes Relentless-Cash An Flash), Secret Livewire (CRM Livewire-Moonlight Who), My Name Is (CRM Livewire-Dashin DD), One Fabulous Spot (One Fabulous Eagle-Stolin Sign).
PSBA Am. Paint Cl. Derby-G1
THEBIGCHIEF
Tby Tracy Gantz
he Big Chief APHA and jockey Roman Cruz
took advantage when heavy favorite Livewires Turnpike broke slowly to win the $27,825 PSBA American Paint Classic Derby-G1 at Remington Park on April 29.
When the gate opened for the 350-yard Derby, 1-5 favorite Livewires Turnpike came away last of the five while The Big Chief grabbed the lead from the outside. Even though Livewires Turnpike cut to the rail and mounted a furious charge, The Big Chief held him off to score by a neck in :17.483.
Paola Gonzalez owns The Big Chief, and Everardo Escamilla-Gonzalez trains the gelding. The Big Chief began his career running for breeders Brent and Amy Page and won the APHA 79 & Under Speed Index Futurity for them. For owner- trainer Zachary Rios, The Big Chief ran third in the 2022 Texas Hero Futurity-G1.
The Pages bred The Big Chief in Oklahoma from the track-record-setting Quarter Horse mare No Pokey Okey. The mare has produced four winners from five starters, all Paints, including stakes-placed Jess Wired.
Livewires Turnpike APHA (CRM Livewire- Wagon On Turnpike QH), owned by Bryan Hawk, trained by Matt Whitekiller, and ridden by Francisco Calderon, ran second. The Champion Paint last
year won the 2022 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Stakes, Texas Hero Futurity-G1, Pot O Gold Futurity, and Oklahoma Paint & Appaloosa Juvenile. Alonso Rivera rode Salt Wire APHA (CRM Livewire-Fantastic Follies QH) to third for trainer Kasey Willis and owner Russell Trull. Salt Wire was coming off a third in the Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Stakes. Followed by RP Dirty Barracuda APHA (Barracuda-RP Eye N Colours QH) and Zbars Livewire Fs APHA (CRM Livewire-Zbar Miss Bully QH). Turnpikes Peanut APHA was scratched.
Victoria Ennis P&A Stakes
RCOWGIRL
Rby Emily Paulk
Cowgirl ApHC won her first ever start in the
$24,450 Victoria Ennis Paint & Appaloosa Stakes at Remington Park on April 29.
Running for all-time winningest Paint trainer Dee Keener, the filly broke in third under jockey James Flores. She quickly grabbed the lead and continued to gain ground throughout the 330 yards to cross the finish line a 1/2-length in front.
R Cowgirl stopped the timer in :17.036, while posting an 83 speed index. She erned the $14,838 winner’s share, taking her earnings to $26,305.
Breeder/owner Jeff Adams bred R Cowgirl out of Champion 4-Years & Older Filly and 2-Time Bronze Medallion Winner Paint This Kitty, who won the 2014 Colors of the Wind Paint & Appaloosa Stakes. She has produced 100% money earners from five foals, including Champions Damn Strait and Paint Your Lips.
The OSC Jefa APHA (Capo De Capi QH-Eysa Savvy Queen) and Jess A Livewire APHA (CRM Livewire-Kess A Snowy Cartel QH) deadheated
for second. The OSC Jefa was ridden by Francisco Calderon for owner Almada Racing and trainer Juan Diaz Jr. Jess A Livewire was ridden by Jorge Torres for owners H. T. Churchwell and Michael D. Hester and trainer Clint Crawford.
V Golden Game APHA (CRM Livewire-Game Hi QH), Jess So ApHC (Hes Relentless QH-Jess Cuz, GG Queen Of The South APHA (Hawkeye QH-Kiowas Success), JC Is A Real Joker APHA (Ivory James QH-A Real Surprise) and The Nine One Eight APHA (Painted Turnpike-Sayonara) completed the order of finish. JH Fancy Like APHA and Mt Ultima Livewire APHA were scratched.
RACING NEWS
SPEEDHORSE June 2023 179
Dustin Orona Photography
Dustin Orona Photography
Dustin Orona Photography
Remington Park • $34,450
400 yards • :19.504 • SI 98
Cartel Success QH
CRM Livewire
Elaina Go Go
LIVEWIRES TURNPIKE APHA, ‘20-g.
PYCPaintYourWagonQH
Wagon On Turnpike
Turnpikes Texas Hero
Remington Park • $24,450
330 yards • :17.036 • SI 83
Apollitical Jess
Flying Cowboy 123 QH
R COWGIRL ApHC, ‘21-f. Paint This Kitty
Hot Cash 123
PYC Paint Your Wagon QH
R Ms Kitty
Remington Park • $27,825
350 yards • :17.825 • SI 95
Cartel Success QH
CRM Livewire
Elaina Go Go
THE BIG CHIEF APHA, ‘20-g.
Okey Dokey Dale
No Pokey Okey QH
Go Colours Go