Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw,
Okla., hosted a 350-yard race for 3-year-old Appaloosas and
Paint Horses Oct. 31. In an exciting allowance race, pitting
the world’s most colorful equine breeds against one another
for a piece of the $8,910 purse, Appaloosa Open Range proved
to have the fastest legs on the track.
The 5-year-old Appaloosa crossed the finish line, with Randy
Wilson aboard, in 15.804 seconds to win. Open Range (Mr Eye
Opener, AQHA x Go Raney Cloud) won $5,288, bringing the mare’s
lifetime race earnings to $32,159. The Oklahoma-bred Appaloosa
is proudly owned by Jeff Adams of Durant, Okla., trained by
Angie Jones and was bred by Kay and Kin Pirtle.
Following in second was Appaloosa Jim Marble with Cody Worst
aboard. The 4-year-old gelding crossed the finish line in
15.867 seconds. Jim Marble (My Designated Driver, AQHA x All
The Marbles) won $1,546, bringing his lifetime race earnings
to $15,340. The Kansas-bred Appaloosa is proudly owned by
Militza Elliott of Sallisaw, Okla., trained by Hubert Blankenship
and was bred by G & G Partnership.
Filling the card was Flashem Betty (APHA), Flashnmystuff (APHA),
Double Dare Comment (APHA), Hez Showin Off (APHA), Patchskid
(ApHC) and Mr Moneybags (APHA).
Appaloosa Racing
Appaloosas have long been an integral part of one of America’s
most popular spectator sports—horse racing. The Appaloosa
Horse Club (ApHC) officially recognized the sport in 1962,
beginning Appaloosa racing history with four races and 23
starters competing for $12,000 in total purses. In 2008, 186
Appaloosas competed in 399 races for $3.1 million in total
purses.
Racing fans can find Appaloosas crossing the finish line in
Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
For more information on Appaloosa racing, contact Alexcia
Livingstone, Racing Coordinator, at (208) 882-5578 ext. 280
or racing@appaloosa.com.
