Edited press release courtesy Remington Park
Photo Credit: Dustin Orona Photography
Paint racehorse Painted Turnpike added another record to his stellar career in winning his 2018 debut, the $22,150 Paul Harber Memorial at Remington Park. The victory was his 11th in Oklahoma City, establishing a new all-time record for wins in the American Quarter Horse, Paint and Appaloosa Season at the track.
Paint racing’s all-time leading money earner and three-time defending world champion solid Paint-bred (2015, 2016, 2017) racehorse, Painted Turnpike is a 2013 bay solid stallion. His 11th Remington Park win moves him past Country Chicks Man (QH) for most wins during this season. The pair shared the high mark of 10 wins since June 2, 2017, when Painted Turnpike won the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Stakes.
Country Chicks Man, a Quarter Horse, accumulated his 10 scores at Remington Park from 2004–2008, including eight stakes wins.
Owned and bred in Oklahoma by Nolan Pevehouse of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, and trained by Matt Whitekiller, Painted Turnpike was ridden to victory in the Paul Harber Memorial by the only jockey he has ever known, Cody Smith. The rider was pleased with the way the 5-year-old horse came back to the track after a five-month vacation.
“I thought he couldn’t look much better than he did when he came back last year,” Cody said. “He blossomed even more this year. He really looks good.”
Painted Turnpike did not have a perfect start but his talent was too much to deny according to Cody.
“He slipped his rear-end just a little leaving there and got bumped around a little but when he shook loose, it was over from that point,” the jockey said.
Painted Turnpike won the 350-yard race in :17.346 over a fast track. He defeated BP Apollitical Sun by 1-1/4 lengths with CRM Radio Flyer along for third, another neck behind the runner-up.
“He’s a wonder horse,” Matt said of Painted Turnpike and his latest accomplishment. “It’s a blessing. This horse is like no other that I’ve been around, and I’ve been around a few pretty good ones. This horse is just stupid good and so professional about everything.”
The win also gave Painted Turnpike his 21st career race win from 24 attempts and stretched his winning streak to nine consecutive races. His win streak started in October 2016.
By PYC Paint Your Wagon (QH) from the tobiano mare High Class Turnpike, Painted Turnpike picked up $12,450 for the Paul Harber Memorial score, to run his all-time record for earnings by a Paint to $397,695.
Painted Turnpike has returned to racing while also serving his second spring as a stallion. The extra duty off the racetrack has posed no issues to the champion as he continues his winning ways.
“We collect him (stallion duty), he comes back to the barn and you never hear a peep out of him,” Matt marveled. “Haul him up here, never hear a peep. He doesn’t even act like a mare is around. He looks better than he’s ever looked, and we’re just thankful we’ve got him.”
Verna Pevehouse, wife of Nolan Pevehouse, was on hand for the victory celebration. She found it hard to rank the many achievements of Painted Turnpike who continues to amaze his connections.
“Every race he runs, I get just as excited as I do the other ones. He’s just the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to us. I can’t tell you one that’s more exciting than another one. To me, he’s just so beautiful to watch and I just love it.”
Painted Turnpike has given his connections no sign that he is ready to slow down, which is fine by Verna.
“Run him as long as he wants it. He loves it. As long as he likes it, I see no reason to stop,” she said.
This is the second time that Painted Turnpike has won the Paul Harber Memorial as he also won the race in 2016. He has now totaled nine Remington Park stakes wins, of his 11 career victories here.
The Paul Harber Memorial is named after a founding member of the American Paint Horse Association who helped guide the organization for over four decades.
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[This press release was provided by Remington Park; read more at remingtonpark.com.]
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.