Esperanzas Quickdash wins the American Paint Classic RG1,
earns first victory
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Paint Horse Esperanzas Quickdash earned his first career
victory during the American Paint Classic RG1 at Remington Park in Oklahoma City
on April 25. The 350-yard race offered $100,540.
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Esperanzas Quickdash wins the American Paint Classic RG1,
earns first victory. Photo Courtesy of Dustin Orona Photography.
 Hirez JPEG (2.2 mb) |
During the tight race Esperanzas Quickdash dueled, but finished in the
lead in 18.14 seconds. The 2-year-old Solid Paint-Bred gelding’s three-quarter
length victory earned him $37,305 to increase his lifetime earnings to $42,545.
Esperanzas Quickdash, sired by Country Quick Dash and out of Rare Esperanza, is
owned by Charles Trochta and Sammy Hester of Tulsa, Okla., was trained by Hester
and ridden by Larry Payne.
Finishing in second place, in front of the other runners was Sheza Royal Secret.
The 2-year-old Solid Paint-Bred filly, sired by Royal Quick Flash and out So Cal
Secret AQHA, covered the track in 18.27 seconds to earn $18.27 seconds. After
the race, the filly increased her lifetime earnings to $20,560. Sheza Royal
Secret is owned and trained by Todd Lacey of Wagoner, Okla., and was ridden by
Stormy Smith.
I Kick wrapped up the top three finishers of the race. The 2-year-old Solid
Paint-Bred filly was outrun at the line, but finished a neck ahead of the other
runners to post a time of 18.28 seconds. Sired by Judys Lineage and out of Bugs
Prospect AQHA, I Kick earned $9,149 for her finish, increasing her lifetime
earnings to $25,551. The filly is owned by Danny Caldwell of Poteau, Okla., was
trained by Matt Whitekiller and ridden by Cody Smith.
Other Paint Horses completing the race, along with times, include Sayonara
(18.33 seconds), SM Country Bandit (18.36 seconds), SM Country Shamrock (18.37
seconds), Snoopaloop (18.56 seconds), Jungle Bug (18.57 seconds), Dos Aces
(18.58 seconds) and Flashy Dos (18.81 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.