July 20, 2018
Don Bell of Weatherford, Texas, marked 217.5 on Mamas Too Smooth to lead the first day of Rios of Mercedes Unlimited Amateur Derby competition at the NCHA/Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular.

Bell, who won the Limited Non-Pro championship at the 2012 NCHA Derby on Thundercat, has career earnings of $91,793. He also has prior Non-Pro titles with Rosie Mate from the West Texas Futurity and Cotton Stakes.

Mamas Too Smooth was bred by Mama’s Ranch by Smooth As A Cat out of Star Fillaree, by Grays Starlight. Star Fillaree has produced earners of $227,000, headed by Mamas Cats A Star, LTE $162,590.

Bell and Mamas Too Smooth were Limited Non-Pro finalists at the 2017 NCHA Futurity, and went on to the Non-Pro semi-finals at the NCHA Super Stakes last spring.

In the Amateur division, Charles Russell Bushaw led the first day with a 216.5 on Better Then Revenge, a High Brow Cat mare bred by his parents’ Crown Ranch. Better Then Revenge is out of Badgers Playdough who has produced earners of $220,000.

Bushaw won the $35,000 Non-Pro this year and last year’s Junior Youth at the NCHA Eastern Nationals riding Peptotoodie. He was an Unlimited Amateur finalist this spring at the NCHA Super Stakes with Better Then Revenge.

Four riders marked 216 on Friday. In the Amateur division, there was Gaia Salvatori on American Cat Beauty, by Smart Rey Pepto.

In the Unlimited Amateur, the 216s went to Jacob Taurel on V Eight Smooth Ichi, by Smooth As A Cat, Lisa Bankston on Holdin Pocket Aces, by War Bird Dog, and Stacie McDavid on Desires Chromed Cat, by High Brow Cat.

The first round of the Rios of Mercedes Amateur and Unlimited Amateur Derby continues Saturday, followed by the finals of the Open Classic Challenge.

The Western Bloodstock, Ltd. Mid-Year Cutting Horse Sale begins at 9 a.m.