Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity G1 offers
record-setting purse, I Kick earns victory
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Paint Horse I Kick recently earned her biggest career
win during the Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity G1 at Remington Park on May 30.
The 350-yard race paid out $273,987—the largest purse in the history of Paint
racing.
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Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity G1 offers record-setting
purse, I Kick earns victory.
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The 2-year-old Solid Paint-Bred filly I Kick continued her dominating season,
earning her fourth victory in six starts while catapulting her lifetime earnings
to $133,109 after earning $104,120 for the win. Sired by Judys Lineage and out
of Bugs Prospect AQHA, the filly ran a commanding race, driving to the finish to
post a time of 17.99 seconds. I Kick’s victory came after finishing first in her
trial race and qualifying for three Paint Horse futurities this season at
Remington Park. The filly held off late rallies by O J Okey and Sheza Royal
Secret to finish a neck in the lead. I Kick is owned by Danny Caldwell of
Poteau, Okla., was trained by Matt Whitekiller and ridden by Cody Smith.
Finishing the lucrative race in second place to earn $46,577 was the 2-year-old
Solid Paint-Bred filly O J Okey. Sired by Real Easy Okey AQHA and out of Alright
Evelyn, O J Okey battled for the win, covering the track in 18.03 seconds. O J
Okey finished a neck ahead of the rest of the field in her fourth career race to
increase her lifetime earnings to $50,048. O J Okey is owned by Javier Lujan of
Pharr, Texas, was trained by Juan Padilla and ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo.
Two-year-old Solid Paint-Bred filly Sheza Royal Secret ran an even race to
finish third, a head in front of the other runners. The filly, sired by Royal
Quick Flash and out of So Cal Secret AQHA, posted a time of 18.06 seconds on her
way to earning $30,138 to increase her career earnings to $51,844. Sheza Royal
Secret is owned and trained by Todd Lacey of Wagoner, Okla., was ridden by
Stormy Smith.
Other horses completing the field, along with times, included I Do One Two Three
(18.09 seconds), Esperanzas Quickdash (18.205 seconds), Katies Perks (ApHC)
(18.207 seconds), SM Country Bandit (18.223 seconds), Allysa (18.226 seconds),
SM Jaxons Quick Dash (18.266 seconds) and San Mateo Chick (18.268)
More about Paint Horse racing
Horse racing has long been one of America’s favorite spectator sports. With the
recent growth of the Paint Horse breed, it’s no wonder that Paints have become
one of the hottest tickets in the horse racing industry.
Since 1966, when APHA officially recognized the sport, Paint racing has made
major strides forward. In that inaugural year, 17 starters ran for $1,290 in
just two states—Texas and Oklahoma. In 2008, more than 570 starters competed in
more than 660 APHA-recognized races for record purses totaling more than $5
million.
A total of 17 states now feature Paint racing, including Arizona, California,
Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Paint
Horses also race in Canada.
"Paint Racing continues to be an opportunity for breeders, owners and trainers
to take a serious look at," said APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite. "The
amount of purse money available and the average earning per Paint starter is
creating new interest in the Paint racing industry."
For more information on Paint Horse racing, contact APHA’s racing department at
(817) 222-6444, email racing@apha.com, or
visit paintracing.com.