Tom Dvorak drew last in the 16-horse finals of the John Deere Division of the XTO Energy NCHA Super Stakes Saturday night, but his 224-point performance gave him a one-point victory. Dvorak rode Chad and Amie Bushaw’s Bet On A Cat, by High Brow Cat.
Early leader Tarin Rice took the reserve title with a 223 on That Sly Bob, and also finished third with a 220 on Cats Colonel.
“I just relaxed,” Dvorak said. “Going last, you just have what is left and you just go with it. We happened to have the three (cows) that fit. The horse was dialed in and it just worked out.”
Bet On A Cat was bred by Niangua River Ranch out of Bet On Houston, a daughter of World Champion Bet Yer Blue Boons. Non-Pro Hall of Famer Chad Bushaw trains the gelding and has been a finalist with him this spring at the Bonanza, Tunica and Cattlemen’s Derby. Dvorak was a finalist in both the Open and the John Deere Division of the 2011 NCHA Futurity.
“Chad’s done all the work, and he’s a very good horse,” Dvorak said. “He wants to do so much, and he really rises to the occasion.”
Bet On A Cat earned over $11,000 for the John Deere Division win, boosting his career total over $75,000. There’s more to come at the Super Stakes, as Dvorak has qualified him for the Gelding Stakes on Tuesday, as well as the Open semi-finals on Friday. Chad Bushaw is also entered with him in the Non-Pro division this week.
Tarin Rice marked 223 for the reserve title on That Sly Bob, recently purchased by Dub and Christy Leeth. Bred by Glade Knight of Slate River Ranch, That Sly Bob is by That Sly Cat out of Cotton Candy. Rice got That Sly Bob for Carl and Shawnea Smith after watching him sell at the Slate River Ranch Sale in October. Smith topped the first go-round of the NCHA Futurity on the gelding.
Rice made the Bonanza finals and took the reserve championship at the Cattlemen’s Derby with him on the way to the Super Stakes. Rice has qualified him for the Open semi-finals and the Gelding Stakes, and Christy Leeth is scheduled to ride him in the Non-Pro division this week.