Awesome Fling wins the PSBA Derby RG1
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Paint Horse Awesome Fling won the PSBA Derby RG1 at Remington Park in
Oklahoma City after a strong finish on April 25. The 400-yard race offered
$35,705.
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Awesome Fling earns a victory by a neck at the PSBA Derby.
Photo Courtesy of Dustin Orona Photography.
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After a powerful surge near the wire, Awesome Fling, a 3-year-old Solid
Paint-Bred gelding, earned the victory by a neck while posting a time of 20.31
seconds. The gelding, sired by Awesome Chrome and out of Last Fling, earned
$16,069 for the win, increasing his lifetime earnings to $66,402. Awesome Fling
is owned by Michelle Caldwell of Poteau, Okla., was trained by Matt Whitekiller
and ridden by Cody Smith.
PF Chief Runnin Bear finished the race in second place after leading most of the
race, but losing speed near the finish. The 3-year-old tobiano Paint gelding
sired by Grand Point and out of SC Running Cloud AQHA, posted of time of 20.35
seconds, finishing a neck ahead of the third place finisher and earning $8,926.
The race increased PF Chief Runnin Bear’s lifetime earnings to $64,775. PF Chief
Runnin Bear is owned by S. Koltiska and L & B Bettinger of Austin, Texas, was
trained by Judd Kearl and ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo.
Finishing in third place, more than two lengths ahead of the others was Awesome
Rip. Sired by Awesome Chrome and out of Rippin Roberta AQHA, the 3-year-old
Solid Paint-Bred gelding earned $5,355 after covering the track in 20.39 seconds
to increase his career earnings to $59,105. Awesome Rip is owned by Don Peery of
Lees Summit, Mo., was trained by Durk Peery and ridden by Berkley Packer.
Other Paint Horses completing the race, along with times, include Barney Ofield
(20.73 seconds), Awesome Judy (20.76 seconds), Speed Bandit (20.79 seconds),
Judyfully (21.08 seconds) and Judy Kays Runaway (21.63 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.