Got Country Grip beats rivals, wins Mr. Lewie Memorial
Handicap
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Paint Horse Got Country Grip returned to his winning ways during the Mr.
Lewie Memorial Handicap at Remington Park on April 18. The gelding clinched his
18th lifetime win during the 400-yard race offering a $35,000 purse.
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Got Country Grip beats rivals, wins Mr. Lewie Memorial
Handicap. Photo Courtesy of Photo Courtesy of Dustin Orona Photography.
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On his way to the winner’s circle, 6-year-old Got Country Grip faced two of the
three horses who have crossed the finish line ahead of him—Bust N Moves and SM
Country Snowman. In fact, it was during this same race in 2008 that Bust N Moves
became the first horse to beat Got Country Grip, and cost him the record for the
most consecutive races won at 17.
During the race, Got Country Grip, sired by Country Quick Dash and out of Got A
Grip, battled for the lead with a driving finish to win by a half-length. The
gelding covered the track in 19.74 seconds to earn $20,500. The winnings
increased his lifetime earnings to $312,528 to remain as Paint racing’s leading
lifetime money-earner. Got Country Grip is owned by Jimmy Maddux of Weatherford,
Texas, was trained by Brandon Parum and ridden by Ricky Ramirez.
Finishing the race in second place was Appaloosa racehorse G I Jana. The
Appaloosa posted a time of 19.81 seconds and earned $7,500. G I Jana was trained
by Luis Villafranco and ridden by Adalberto Candanosa.
SM Country Snowman finished the race in third place, a neck behind the
Appaloosa, to post a time of 19.86 seconds. Sired by Country Quick Dash and out
of Western Lineage, the 4-year-old overo Paint stallion earned $4,300 to
increase his lifetime earnings to $264,161. SM Country Snowman is owned by
Rafter SM Ranch of Wagoner, Okla., was trained by ranch owner Sparky Mullins and
ridden by G.R. Carter, Jr.
Other Paint Horses completing the race, along with times, include Heza Royal Sin
(19.86 seconds), Bust N Moves (19.88 seconds), One Royal Flyer (19.89 seconds),
Mean Ole Man (19.92 seconds), Blame It On Mama (20.30 seconds) and Bold Dashing
(ApHC) (20.47 seconds).
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.