On a night full of big-money stakes races at Remington Park, the one of most interest to Paint Horse fans was the G1 $253,425 Speedhorse/Graham Farms Paint & Appaloosa Futurity on May 31. Texas Silk had to work for it more than in his previous three victories, but at the end of 350 yards he had won his fourth consecutive race. The richest score to date for Texas Silk had him fighting to a neck advantage at the finish over Bestbudde.
Owned by Charles Leggett of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and trained by Dee Keener, Texas Silk was piloted by Berkley Packer, as he has been for all the wins in his current streak.
“I kind of got bumped leaving there and it stopped his momentum a little bit so I had to play catch-up,” Berkley said. “I got after him left-handed and he took off and did what he’s supposed to do.”
Texas Silk had already won the American Paint Classic in April and had cruised in his qualifying trial for the Speedhorse/Graham by 1-3/4 lengths. Stopping the clock in :17.426 seconds, Texas Silk edged Bestbudde who was a neck better than Fabulous Dos in third.
Photo by Dustin Orona Photography
Texas Silk rewarded his fans as the 4-5 heavy wagering favorite with $3.60 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.60 to show. Bestbudde paid $4.60 to place and $3.40 to show. Fabulous Dos paid $2.80 to show.
Bred in Oklahoma by H.T. and Kay Churchwell, Texas Silk is a 2-year-old sorrel solid gelding by Texas Six from the Judys Lineage mare Judys Silk. The earnings for his second futurity triumph of the season, $96,301, move his overall money to $142,972. He has won four of his six races, all at Remington Park.
Bestbudde is a 2012 double-registered sorrel solid gelding by Country Quick Dash and out of Olenes Gamble. Owned by J. Willia, A. Hughes and J. Crites of Caddo, Oklahoma, the gelding was bred by Gary Vaughan of Coalgate, Oklahoma.
A 2012 double-registered sorrel solid gelding by Dos Poruno and out of Fabulous Strawbaby (QH), Fabulous Dos was also bred by H.T. and Kay Churchwell and is owned by the Fabulous Dos Partnership of Henrietta, Oklahoma.
