Starstruck Ichi, ridden by Austin Shepard took center stage with a 220-point win at the Music City Futurity. Haidas Screamin Cat and Craig Thompson claimed reserve with 217.
Owned by Scotty Chambert of Cut Off, LA, 3-year-old Starstruck Ichi is by first crop sire Cat Ichi, who dominated the Music City Futurity with three of the top four finalists: champion Starstruck Ichi; third-placed SDP Lil Ichi Maddie under Guy Woods; and fourth-placed Daintys Ichi Playboy with Craig Thompson.
Cat Ichi, by High Brow Cat, was bred and is owned by Bill and Jo Ellard’s EE Ranches, which owned his dam, the #3 all-time leading cutting horse dam, Laney Doc, with produce earnings of over $1.4 million. Cat Ichi won the 2004 NCHA Derby under Guy Woods; Austin Shepard was reserve champion at the same event on Widows Intentions.
“If I only have Cat Ichi’s to train for the rest of my career, that’s a great thing,” said Woods. “This is the most fun I have ever had training colts. It’s almost too easy. Everyday they come out and try to help you. They want to do their job and do it well.”
Starstruck Ichi, half-sister to Jeeps Posi Traction, the winner of over $300,000, earned $24,416 for her win. Haidas Screamin Cat, SDP Lil Ichi Maddie and Daintys Ichi Playboy, previously all earned money as finalists in the West Texas Open Futurity.
Click here for full results and pedigrees of the Music City Futurity 3-year-old open finalists.
Hansma takes Music City Classic with a full Tank
Cats Little Tank and Paul Hansma topped a stout field in the 5/6-year-old division with 223 points. NCHA Horse of the Year High Brow CD, with Austin Shepard, and Faith In My Cat, under Clint Allen, tied for the reserve championship with 218 points. All three horses are by all-time leading sire High Brow Cat.
Owned by Dub and Christy Leeth, Cleburne, TX, Cats Little Tank was also champion of the 2009 Bonanza with Hansma and placed third with Christy in non-pro divisions of the 2008 Brazos Bash and Texas Futurity. Today’s winnings of $17,910 boosted the 5-year-old gelding’s career earnings to $85,762.
Hansma also placed tenth on Al Poccino, co-champion (with Thomas E Hughes and Austin Shepard) of the 2009 NCHA Classic Challenge Open, bred and owned by Paul and his wife, Julie.
Five-year-old High Brow CD, owned by Grace Ranch, Jennings, LA, has lifetime earnings of over $534,000, and was a finalist this year at the Augusta Futurity and the Tunica Futurity. Faith In My Cat, owned by Tom and Jennifer Lyons, Grandview, TX, has been an open and non-pro finalist in 10 major events this year, including the open championship win in the Tunica Futurity. He has earned over $225,000.
Click here for full results and pedigrees of the Music City Futurity 5 & 6-year-old open finalists.