Junie Wood, 2014 NCHA Horse of the Year and reigning Super Stakes champion, owned by Slate River Ranch, claimed her fourth consecutive major win last night with 226 points under John Mitchell, who has been aboard the 5-year-old Nitas Wood daughter for all of her Open Limited Age events. The $37,495 win increased Junie Wood’s already heady earnings record to $337,232.

Six-year-old Quick To Dual, sired by Dual Rey and shown by Adan Banuelos for Jayme Toledo De Resende, claimed reserve with 222 points, as the first horse to work in the first set of the Finals. Boon San Spoon, owned by Walton’s Rocking W Ranch and shown by Jesse Lennox, was third with 221 points.

“I settled the first set for Adan and they felt a little quiet, but they had enough move to them,” said Mitchell, who drew second to ride in the second set. “In the second set, it looked like there weren’t enough quick cows to have a big score, but we cut the cows we wanted. They let me cut them clean as a whistle, and it was outstanding.

“That’s why everything flowed so good (for us). We had three good cows and three good cuts. I had my head on, but Matt Sargood made sure that I stopped after every cow and got my stuff together. I really appreciated that. It helps to have someone pull you up.”

Junie Wood, who was the 2013 NCHA Futurity Non-Pro champion with Craig Crumpler before Slate River Ranch owner Glade Knight purchased her at that event, maintained a full docket this week, as both an Open and Non-Pro contender. Although she was solid for Knight with matching go-round scores of 214 points, Knight’s cumulative was not enough to advance to the Non-Pro Finals.

“I’ve never had any pressure on her because she was never bought to do what she’s done,” said Mitchell. “She’s Glade’s horse and he sure gets along with her. But it’s still, you’ve got to have everything right to have that sort of run.”

The 2015 Super Stakes Open Classic counted as Junie Wood’s sixth Open win and fourth consecutive Open win, as well as her fourth this year.

“The horsemen that I respect know what it means to win four in a row,” said Mitchell. “It’s not just that you’re ripping and tearing and you have a good horse, but you’re grateful to have had a few good trips.

“You have to be lucky to win. But when she has a shot, she still pulls it off. She’s a special horse.”

In addition to the 2015 NCHA Super Stakes Classic and the 2014 Super Stakes, which she won with 229 points, Junie Wood’s Open wins include the 2014 Southern Futurity, the 2014 Brazos Bash Derby, the 2015 Abilene Spectacular Classic, and 2015 Bonanza Classic.