After posting the top score of 223 in the go-round of the Mercuria Energy NCHA World Series Open division at the Breeders Invitational, Clint Allen came back to mark 228 in the finals on Faith In  My Cat. Allen was showing the 7-year-old son of High Brow Cat for fellow Hall of Fame rider Tom Lyons. Lyons had placed third with the horse in the World Series event at Houston earlier in the year.

“I was more nervous watching Clint show him in the finals than when I was in the finals in Houston,” Lyons said. “But when you win it’s great, no matter if you’re the owner or the rider.”

“I just have so much faith in that horse,” Allen said. “He’s so much fun to show, and so honest, he never tries to cheat. You can just go show him and you don’t have to worry about any holes anywhere, and he’s just going to try his hardest.

“I tried not to override him and just be smart and have a clean run, and let him display himself. It worked out.”

The World Series format features music and commentary to get the crowd involved during the competition.

“In Australia, they play music in the finals, but not like this,” Allen said. “It was great. I really got into it, but I had to keep telling myself to slow down.”

Faith In My Cat earned $8,548 for the win, which takes his career total over $266,000.

Sister CD, ridden by Skip Queen, placed second with a 226.5. His $7,390 paycheck will take him past Dual Rey Me for the distinction of being the sport’s richest active horse, and it will also move his lifetime earnings over the $800,000 mark.