Flo Rider and owner Sandy Bonelli won the PCCHA Derby on March 14 with 221 points, while Bearly Nuf Taz, by Pepto Taz, claimed reserve under Morgan Cromer for San Juan Ranch. Cromer also finished fourth on CD Cinco De Mayo, owned by Eric Freitas.

This is the first major open win for Bonelli, since she began riding as an “apprentice trainer,” last November. Bonelli, NCHA’s all-time leading non-pro rider, won the 1995 NCHA Open Super Stakes on A Little Starlight and the 1998 NCHA Open Derby on Shakin Flo, dam of Flo Rider, by High Brow Cat. Because she has earned more than $50,000 in open competition (her career total from all classes is $3.1 million), under NCHA rules, Bonelli is ineligible to ride in open classes, unless she competes as an apprentice trainer for a limited one-year period and/or forfeits her non-pro status.

Shakin Flo, earner of $428,306, was 1998 NCHA Horse of the Year with seven open and non-pro championships under Bonelli, including the 1997 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity.

Kim Vaughn, Galt, CA, rode Plastic Spoon to score 214 points as champion of the PCCHA Non-Pro Derby; Debbie Day was reserve with 202 points on Playin A Little Jazz. Vaughn also placed as reserve champion of the Non-Pro Limited with 219 points on her Hes A Peptospoonful son.

For complete results and pedigrees, click here.