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Let it Pour

Neither rain nor wind nor dark of night could keep Painted Turnpike from lighting up the track in an impressive Grade 1 $89,780 Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity victory October 30 at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. The 2013 bay solid stallion put an exclamation point on a nearly perfect season, clinching the Speedhorse series high-point championship and the elusive Speedhorse Triple Crown.

 Track conditions were sloppy—thunderstorms had swept through North Texas before races began, and the skies opened up again to unleash torrential rain for the last four races of the evening, including the Speedhorse futurity—but it couldn’t dampen the spirits of Painted Turnpike’s connections as the precocious colt sprinted down the track. And though it was his first trip under rainy, muddy conditions, Painted Turnpike seemed undeterred, leading wire to wire in 20.150 over 400 yards.

 A son of PYC Paint Your Wagon (QH) and High Class Turnpike, Painted Turnpike is owned and was bred by Nolan Pevehouse of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma; he was trained by Matt Whitekiller and ridden by Cody Smith. Painted Turnpike earned $36,810 for the win, bringing his lifetime total to more than $216,000 with seven wins out of eight starts.

paintedturnpike_dec1975With the win at Lone Star, Painted Turnpike became the first horse to ever win the Speedhorse Triple Crown—capturing victories in each of three G1 Speedhorse futurities throughout the year at three different tracks. In the award’s four years, the feat has never before been accomplished. As the Speedhorse high-point champion, Painted Turnpike also laid claim to a three-horse gooseneck Star trailer, a $35,000 discount toward the purchase of a SportChassis LLC heavy-duty truck, a buckle and trophy, along with a $5,000 Triple Crown bonus.

“We knew he was pretty nice from the get-go,” Matt said. “He had an air about him that was a little bit different—he’s something special.

“When I look back through all the years I was running with Lewis Wartchow and all the special horses we had, I always tell people Lewis would have liked this one. This means a lot, and it’s a team effort—I have a good crew at the barn. This horse has such a big following, you can hardly get everybody in the win picture. Even when you think you might have the fastest horse, there’s so many variables that go into it. He’s a blessing to have in the barn. I’m glad we’re not chasing him! 

Finishing second in the G1 Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity was Bull, a 2013 bay tobiano stallion by Cartel Success (QH) and out of Memories Of Texas. Bred by Bill Price of Thackerville, Oklahoma, the colt is owned by Buddy Albin of Denton, Texas; he’s trained by Jason Olmstead and ridden by Jorge Torres. Running in 20.402, Bull finished 1-1/2 lengths behind Painted Turnpike, earning $15,263. 

Third went to Sturgis, a 2013 sorrel overo stallion by Dos Poruno and out of Biker Chick. He clocked a 20.557, earning $9,876 for owner Paint Horse Queens of Inola, Oklahoma. The Dee Keener-trained colt was ridden by Jose Vega.

The field also included Wagonette, DTL Head Honcho, Texas Snowman, Imahotchicken, Psychedelic Scott and Face Paint. Paleface Cartel was a late scratch from the race.  

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[Reprinting all or part of this news release is permitted, so long as credit is given to Flash and a link provided back to apha.com.] 

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Flash is an annual publication produced by the American Paint Horse Association that celebrates Paint Horses excelling in timed events—racing, barrels racing, roping, shooting and sorting/penning—along with the people who love them. Check out our free digital magazine at MyFlashyRide.com or pick up a printed copy of Flash at major events across the country. And check MyFlashyRide.com/news often for the latest news about fast, flashy Paints.

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