RPL Ich This and rider Phil Rapp stung the competition with a 223-point win in the PCCHA Open Futurity on Saturday, in Paso Robles, CA.
The $32,607 payout, added to her previous earnings, makes RPL Ich This the current leading 3-year-old NCHA money earner with $69,173.
It was the second major open title for Bobbie Atkinson’s homebred Cat Ichi daughter. She also claimed the Music City Futurity and was open reserve champion of the Brazos Bash under Rapp, who sold Atkinson the mare’s dam, Ruby Duece – the horse that carried Mary Ann Rapp, Phil’s wife, to a win in the 2002 PCCHA Non-Pro Derby.
LHR Smart Dual N Cat earned $23,087 for his win in the Open Gelding Stakes and as an Open Futurity finalist with Phil Hanson.
Owned by John Thomas, Rockwall, TX, LHR Smart Dual N Cat was one of seven Open Futurity and Gelding Stakes finalists sired by WR This Cats Smart, whose first foals are 5-year-olds this year.
Bred by Wiens Ranch, WR This Cats Smart was ridden primarily on the West Coast by Tim Smith. The 11-year-old stallion, who stands at the Four Sixes in Guthrie, TX, is currently the 2010 leading sire of NCHA 3-year-old money earners.
RPL Ich This’s sire, Cat Ichi, who stands at EE Ranches Stallion Station in Whitesboro, TX, was 2009 NCHA Leading Freshman Sire.
In the PCCHA Open 4-Year-Old Stakes, Special Nu Kitty and Matt Gaines topped a deep field with 225 points. Phil Hanson was reserve with 224 points on Pounce and third with 222 aboard top 2010 NCHA Horse of the Year LHR Smooth Jamie May.
For complete PCCHA Futurity results with pedigrees, click here.