For Immediate Release
July 9, 2008

Horses and Horsemen Cover the Miles to Compete at the Red Mile

Horses that last raced in Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan and Oklahoma are headed to Lexington for the fifth annual American Quarter Horse meet at the Red Mile on Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19. These sprinters have been nominated to the four stakes races worth a total amount exceeding $60,000.

“The Red Mile meet has certainly achieved ‘event’ status,” said Anne Doolin, executive director of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Racing Association (KyQHRA). “I think it’s a combination of Kentucky hospitality, the involvement of so many sponsors that allow us offer solid purses, and a great racing surface and starting gate crew.

“Once horsemen race here, they can’t wait to come back, and they bring new people with them,” she added. “This year, we’re getting a new contingent of horses from the Carolinas, as well as some first-timers from Louisiana. We truly appreciate the out-of-state horsemen who ship in to support this meet, especially with the increase in gas prices.”

Ron Raper, the eighth-leading trainer in Quarter Horse racing by wins in 2007, will travel nearly 500 miles from his base at Mt. Pleasant Meadows in Michigan to compete for the second consecutive year at the Red Mile. Last year, Raper was the leading trainer of the meet, winning eight of the 18 races.

Another trainer making the journey to Lexington is Donnie Strickland, who is bringing horses from his bases in Louisiana and Oklahoma. In 1996, Strickland won the sport’s most famous race when he saddled Streakin Flyer to win the $1.9 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico.

Nine races are scheduled each evening at the Red Mile with the first race at 7:30 p.m. The four stakes are the $15,000-added Enchanted Stakes for three-year-old fillies at 300 yards; the $15,000-added Fort Harrod Stakes for two-year-olds at 300 yards; the $15,000-added Los Alamitos Stakes for three-year-olds and up at 330 yards; and the $15-000 added John Deere Lexington Challenge Sprint Stakes, for three-year-olds and up at 250 yards, part of the American Quarter Horse Association’s John Deere Bonus Challenge program.

Through the participation of numerous sponsors, some $130,000 in purse money is available over the two nights of racing, matching the amount awarded last year. Race sponsors represent prominent members of the Quarter Horse industry nationwide and the Thoroughbred industry in Central Kentucky, as well as local businesses. The American Quarter Horse Association of Amarillo, Texas, also is providing a vast array of support.

Sponsoring races this year are Burnett Ranches from Texas; JEH Stallion Station, with divisions in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas; Vessels Stallion Farm and Los Alamitos Race Course in California; Belle Mere Farm and Lazy E Ranch in Oklahoma; and the R.D. and Joan Hale Hubbard Foundation of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Race sponsors from Kentucky are Airdrie Stud, Ashford Stud, Kentucky Ale, Paul Miller Ford & Fortune Commercial Properties, and Taylor Made Farm and WinStar Farm. TVG, the interactive horse racing network that includes racing from Los Alamitos and Ruidoso Downs, also is sponsoring a race.

Other sponsors include Brett Construction, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Hallway Feed, Kentucky Downs, Keeneland, University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture’s Equine Initiative, Jeff Bowling, Ashcraft Farms, and Dr. and Mrs. Talmadge Hays.

The Red Mile’s barn area opens the afternoon of Monday, July 14. The Racing Office opens to take entries for both nights on Tuesday, July 15. Entries for the Friday card close at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, with the Saturday card closing at 11 a.m. the same day. Gate works will be available on Wednesday and Thursday, July 16-17, beginning at 8 a.m.

Special activities in conjunction with the race meet include:

• The KyQHRA Kick-Off Party on July 17 at the historic Round Barn at the Red Mile. The fund-raising event, which begins at 6 p.m., will feature live and silent auctions, entertainment and food. Admission is a suggested $10 donation to the KyQHRA.
• A free handicapping contest that will award a total of $1,000 for each night of racing.
• A raffle to win the racehorse Streakin Traffic. The three-year-old, Kentucky-bred gelding is by Streak And Dash and is out of Straight1away Josie, a daughter of 1992 All American Futurity winner Dash Thru Traffic. The drawing to determine the raffle winner will take place on July 19 immediately before the race in which Streakin Traffic will compete. The winner also will receive any earnings of Streakin Traffic. Raffle tickets are $10 each and are available from the KyQHRA.

Additional details about the meet, including condition sheets and information about local hotels, are available online at www.kyqhra.com. For more information, contact:

• Racing Secretary Mike Smith by e-mail at smithracing155@yahoo.com or by cell phone at (317) 442-6893.
• KyQHRA Executive Director Anne Doolin by e-mail at dabighorse2@aol.com or by cell phone at (859) 983-0520.