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Louisville - Tuesday Evening



Back to back sensational young horse classes finished the matinee and began the evening sessions today. The ASR Kentucky Two-Year-Old Fine Harness Futurity class was a stunner for sure to open the night’s proceedings. Bret Day made the winning drive for the second straight year in this one. A year ago it was Grey Ridge Wildcat. Tonight it was Smart Fortune as the blue ribbon winner for the Smart Ass Partners. Winner of $7,400, Smart Fortune is by Mountainview’s Heir To Fortune and out of Smart Asset. Smart Asset is by Attache’s Liquid Asset and out of the exceptional pleasure mare, CH Magna Cum Laude. Smart Fortune’s first trip to the show ring was a lucrative one indeed. Another top contender, Awesome At This was the reserve winner for Jim Lowry and owner Faydelle Schott. A winner in hand a year ago here, Awesome At This is by At Night and out of Desert’s Awesome Lover. The second dam on this one just happens to be a full sister to World’s Grand Champion Memories’ Citation. The parade of good ones continued with Eeta Sachon in third with Darrell Case and Lilith’s Masquerade and T.J. Santaferra in fourth.

Dakota Reiser was beside himself with joy when his number was called out atop the Amateur Gentlemen’s Three-Gaited class. On Higher Ground was exceptional tonight, working high and tight and going free and open with his motion. The entry of Tina Stodd is trained Dakota’s dad, Chris Reiser. He is by Seaforth’s Billion Heir and out of Lady Ann Margaret. Another Callaway’s Northern Kiss product that is extra special in the bridle, CH Heir To A Kiss was the reserve world’s champion with David Rudder. David did another great job for Sam and Vicki Reed and trainer A.J. Bruwer. Heir To A Kiss is out of the Supreme Heir mare, Belle Heiress. Royal Rooster and Ben Ferreby were a good third for John and Sandy Ferreby, with Just Plain George and Bill Marple scoring the white ribbon in fourth.

Yet another good group of young stock saw Christine Daae live up to her billing as the unanimous winner of the ASR National Three-Year-Old Three-Gaited Futurity. By Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Hillcroft Her Highness, Christine Daae seems to just park trot in place. She doesn’t have to go fast to go high, and she delighted the crowd. Phones were up taking videos to send to those not in attendance. She is just that special. Wyatt DeHart was the rider once again tonight for owners and breeders Horizon Saddlebreds. Owned and bred by Golden Creek Farms, Top Country Girl was the reserve winner in this one with Tre Lee. Sired by CH Top Spool, she is out of Stonecroft Verbena, a reserve world’s champion herself and out of that grand line of mares like That Special Face and A New Face (BHF). Matt Shiflet had the big and stretchy Let’s Go Tango up for third for Sharon Anderson.

Barbara Goodman Manilow earned herself a round of honor in the Ladies Amateur Three-Gaited 15.2-and-Under World’s Championship. She piloted I’m Still Dreaming to a third straight Louisville win under the direction of Kenny Smith. Last year’s Amateur Three-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Callaway’s Blue Topaz. This team had a ton of competition in this one, working hard to hold that top spot. Last year’s Fine Harness World’s Grand Champion Lady Mandolin pushed hard for the blue, taking the reserve world’s championship with a good ride from Tara Grom. Owned by Elisabeth Goth, Landy Mandolin is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Suddenly Summer, by Merchant Prince. Tara has been doing the riding honors for most of the summer, never finishing lower than second. Moonbeams And Dreams and Misdee Wrigley Miller were up next in third, with Nuttin’ Innocent and Ashlee Wheaton battling hard in their first Louisville together to place fourth.

One of the greats to ever grace the Amateur Five-Gaited Mare World’s Championship, CH Rage Of The Stage has a trophy in this class that is presented each year by her longtime partner, Andrea Walton. Barbara Goodman Manilow and Deborah Orr walked side by side down the rail as they retired to the in gate, just chatting away like the longtime friends and competitors that they are, seemingly without a care in the world. Moments later they would be the world’s and reserve world’s champions. Barbara got the best of it today, winning a second straight class on the night, though how two amateur classes get placed back to back in the schedule seems to defy logic. Kenny and Donna Smith headed up the round of honor in this one, as Barbara rode the daughter of Callaway’s Blue Norther and Sweet Sachet (BHF) down victory lane. This big and athletic mare was a sight tonight. Deborah Orr has really had a strong start to the week. She and Sara Smile were the reserve winners for the estate of her late father, James Orr. Just a four-year-old, Sara Smile is already taking on and turning back most of her aged competitors for the Kalarama banner. She is by CH Heir To Champagne and out of Pocketful Of Magic. It’s no shock that Deborah can ride this horse so well here, as she rode both sire and dam to world’s titles here as well. Many Pearls and Cindy Siders got a big ovation from the crowd in third for Carl T. Fischer Jr. Azure Wish and Candi Aversenti wound up fourth for Harper Stables.

The great night continued for Reiser Stables, as Don O’Neill was the 15.2-and-Under Three-Gaited World’s Champion for the second time. The entry of World Calm LLC was ridden to victory by Chris Reiser, who has also sired a winning rider on the night. Famously produced as a cross of Undulata’s Nutcracker and CH Garland’s Dream (BHF), Don O’Neill was bred to wear roses. Lionel Ferreira made his best show yet with Bree’s Fleur De Lis to take the reserve world’s championship. The entry of Judith Fisher Oetinger is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of the grand show mare, CH She’s Gone Blonde. Shelbyville winner Razzle Dazzle Me was a crowd-pleasing third with Merrill Murray.

Grey Ridge Wildcat’s lifetime earnings went up another big jump, as he was named the ASR National Three-Year-Old Fine Harness Futurity winner with Neil Visser. Two-year-old winner last year with Bret Day, Wildcat is now owned by Terri Dolan. He is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Torrential. Wildcat got the lion’s share tonight, taking nearly $10,000 worth of prize money. Wildcat has a ton of power and motor to go along with a beautiful bridle to go along with it. The loss of I’m Lookin’ For You continues to be felt this week, as I’m Lookin’ Supreme was the reserve winner for Kaye Bowles Durnell. Driven by George Knight, I’m Lookin’ Supreme is by I’m Lookin’ For You and out of Hayland’s Celestial Star. George always figures into the decision in these young horse harness classes. MBA’s Just About Thyme and Lynda Freseth were a good third for Priscilla Gise, while Allanah and Robert Gardiner finished fourth.

Cheri Ort had a dream come true in the Ladies Amateur Three-Gaited Over 15.2 World’s Championship. Owned and bred by Cherie Ort, Kite’n Doll saved her best performance for the biggest stage. The daughter of Attache’s Royal Assets and Three Time Charm was top three here a year ago, moving up to the spot tonight. Kite’n Doll is an especially beautiful mare, exuding all of that ladies beauty under the direction of Ray Yoder. Susan Swope’s good day continued with a reserve win aboard Talk Is Money. Trained by Peter and Kim Cowart, this was the first time for Talk Is Money and Susan to be teamed up this year. The entry of Vanguard Holdings is by Sir William Robert and out of Soft Spoken. Soquili’s Georgia Kracker and Caitlin Cline were good for third, with I’m High N Mighty and Reagan Upton finishing fourth.

It was a huge field for the ponies, as nine showed for the Amateur Ladies Harness Pony World’s Championship. It was a unanimous decision, making it three judges tonight and three years in a row as the winner of this class for Heartland Demonstrator and Mary Gaylord McClean. The entry of Golden Creek Farms is by Heartland Code Of Honor and out of Heartland Beauty. This team is still unbeaten, now in their third season together. The Amateur Harness Pony World’s Champion of Champions the past two years was headed up by Tom Lowry and Jeff McClean. CH Crystal Creek’s Commander was the reserve world’s champion for Sandra Surber and the Majestic Oaks team. A winner of five in a row coming into this week, Commander is by Dun-Haven Center Attraction and out of HCH Commander’s Supreme. Sandra drove him to a win at the American Royal last year. This was the third year in a row for Commander to take this prize. He was the winner in 2013. Sweetheart Of Success and Karen Waldron finished third for Bent Tree Farm, with Mr. Brightside and Linda Quinn in fourth.

The Open Roadster to Wagon Stake was also bigger than usual with four showing for the title. These wagon horses need a little more size and power to pull the doctor’s wagon, and this group had plenty of both. What do you do once you’ve set the record for the most Roadster to Bike World’s Grand Championships in a row? Show for the wagon title of course! Raymond Shively once again served as owner and driver, with Mark Turner heading him up with Herbie Medley. The six-time World’s Grand Champion is now five for five to the wagon this season. Steve Crabtree only brings Scatman Du out once or twice a year, but he always hits the green shavings. Three times a winner of this class, Scatman Du made his first show of the year to claim the reserve world’s championship. They were the Roadster to Wagon World’s Champion of Champions just last year.

I Rest My Case really put it together at Shelbyville, and that’s exactly what Lisa Holt thought. She made the selection for Holt Equipment Company at that point, and Jesse West made her look smart, winning the ASR National Three-Year-Old Five-Gaited Futurity tonight. By I’m A New Yorker and out of Tremendously Charming, I Rest My Case gets the best of both sides of his pedigree, besting a great group tonight, headed up by breeder Kathy Capsuto Walker. Tre Lee has another pretty bay gaited youngster in It’s No Wonder. Reserve winner tonight, It’s No Wonder is owned by Golden Creek Farms. A full brother to Vegas Moon, he is by Northern Vegas and out of Winsdown It’s About Time. Tre showed the gelding hard to claim this good prize. Share The Moment and Debbie Foley had the most speed of the group. They were third for Silver Brook Stables, followed by First Encore and Jim Lowry in fourth for Faydelle Schott.

Ali DeGray defended her Amateur Five-Gaited Stallion/Gelding World’s Championship in unanimous style. She captained CH Memories Of Cabo to the blue ribbon, headed up by Tammy Devore and Derrick Westbrook. By Desert’s Supreme Memories and out of Kalarama’s My Heart, Memories Of Cabo is about as consistent as they come. He always gives his best effort for owner Helen Rich. Ali and the chestnut gelding have now won nine in a row, including last year’s Amateur Five-Gaited World’s Champion of Champions title. David Rudder put another one over the top, riding Designer Blue to the reserve world’s championship for Silver Brook Stables. Sired by Deep Blue, this one is out of Designer Fashion. There really are few dudes like David. Everything he does just exudes “cool,” and he is tough to beat on or behind a horse. Zoe Schaffel and Wrapped In Chocolate got a great salute from the crowd in third, as they made one of their best shows ever. CH Callaway’s Born To Ride and Laura Elliott made a wide-open show for fourth for Stockings N Stripes LLC.

Two in a row is nothing for Ali DeGray after her back-to-back-to-back Stake Night last year. She jumped off a unanimous winner and into the viceroy with another one, as Heartland High Tech was picked by all three to be the Ladies Amateur Hackney Pony World’s Champion for Helen Rich. Six of the eight in this good sized class were bred by Darrel and Sandra Kolkman of the Heartland Hackney Farm. Last year’s Amateur World’s Champion of Champions was an absolute park trotting machine in his first class of the season. Also from Majestic Oaks, Heartland Majestic was the reserve world’s champion with a lady relatively new to the pony business, Kathleen Ververeli. She has fallen in love with the Hackney breed and has enjoyed great success with Rich and Maureen Campbell. Majestic is by Heartland Equality and out of Seamair Glitter. Majestic was the World’s Grand Champion in 2014 and the reserve world’s grand champion in 2015. CH Heartland Globe-Trotter was third for Charlotte Wrather, with Heartland Rough And Ready and Grace Arnold in fourth.

What a tremendous spot to hold the retirement for the great World’s Grand Champion CH Callaway’s Annabel Allison. As the mare stake waited outside, Debbie Foley rocketed down the chute one last time with “Ricketta.” That trademark freight train snort made its way around Freedom Hall one last time, accompanied by a very frank and honest video celebrating all of the greatness and all of the quirks of this grand champion. Nobody was bitten or kicked during the presentation, and Lee Shipman got to have a moment in the spotlight, having taught Debbie everything about working a gaited horse when she worked for him back in the day. It was a wonderful sendoff and a much deserved retirement.

After a six year run of domination by Annabel Allison, the Five-Gaited Mare Stake was open for a new winner. That new winner made it a unanimous decision, as There’s Something About Mary made her Freedom Hall debut as an aged horse. Bret Day rode her once again for Carroll Robertson Ray. Never beaten in a mare class on the green shavings, There’s Something About Mary is by Undulata’s Nutcracker and out of Heirudite. She never drops an ear, and Bret used just the right amount of gas pedal to bookend the session, winning both the first and last class of the night. Byron Day looked like a kid on Christmas as the proud sire of the winning rider. Larry Hodge and Two Sweet To Kiss were the reserve world’s champions for the second year in a row for Hillcroft Farm. By Callaway’s Northern Kiss and out of Two Sweet Bucks, she has incredible shape to her neck, as most all of the Northern Kiss products do. This mare has been a labor of love for Larry and the Kalarama team. She made one of her best shows ever tonight. Divergent and Kenny Smith finished third for Barbara Goodman Manilow, while Kyle Gagnon rode hard for fourth aboard Soquili’s Morning Star for Rick Daigle. 

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