Dual Smart Kitty, sired by Dual Smart Rey and owned by Rusty Simpson, Nemo, Tex., is the leading contender for NCHA Horse of the Year, with a championship win in the Abilene Spectacular, finalist rankings in four other major events, and earnings of $285,000.

What About Blue, sired by High Brow CD, had previously placed as a finalist in four non-pro and non-pro limited events with owner Jacob Pinheiro, Los Alamos, Calif. Countin On Stella, by Im Countin Checks, was an open finalist (20th) with Cromer in the Breeders Invitational, and placed as a finalist in the NCHA Super Stakes Amateur (9th) and as Amateur reserve champion of the Pacific Coast Winter Roundup with owner Terry Ratto, Los Altos, Calif.