Their 228-point score was half-a-point under the Derby record set by Third Cutting and Boyd Rice in 2009, and it tied the score of Triple Crown champion Chiquita Pistol in 2003.

Cox already holds the NCHA Futurity record with his 230-point win aboard One Time Royalty in the 2010 NCHA Futurity.

But scores in the stratosphere of cutting are relative.

“If he starts doing any more, I’m going to have to get somebody else to ride him,” said Cox, with smile and a nod to Hottish’s smooth and polished control of whatever is dealt him.

“Some horses stop that hard, but you aren’t sure if they will be able to handle it,” said Cox. “But the harder he stops, the better he gets.”

Owner Dustin Adams, Dublin, Tex., won the NCHA Super Stakes Non-Pro with Hottish, after Cox and the colt struck out in the second go-round and Adams bought a non-pro slot.

Last night, Adams was a finalist in the NCHA Derby Non-Pro with two mounts: Smooth Sneakin (8/10) and Cats Ridin Dirty (16th).

Hottish, by Spots Hot, is the fifth foal out of Stylish Play Lena to earn $100,000 or more. Stylish Play Lena earned $264,474 under Cox; Hottish has unofficial NCHA earnings of $185,000.

Spoonfulla Cat, by Hes A Peptospoonful, scored 223 points with Jonathan Rogers for the NCHA Derby reserve title. Rogers also placed (12/13) on Little Kitty Sista. Both horses are owned by Robert and Carrie Tiemann, Pflugerville, Tex.
Bet on Bushaw

Chad Bushaw and iron horse Bet On A Cat won the NCHA Derby Non-Pro with 222 points, in the lost hole of the first set of the finals.

One set later, Bet On A Cat scored 219 points under Tom Dvorak to place fifth in one of the toughest Derby Open finals in recent memory. It was the gelding’s eleventh performance during the 20-day show and his fifth finals run.

“He keeps getting stronger and smarter, but he’s been the same good horse every trip, whether Tommy shows him or I show him,” said Bushaw, who won the Breeders Invitational Non-Pro with the gelding in June.

Dvorak and Bet On A Cat were champions of the NCHA Super Stakes John Deere Division in May.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a horse like this,” said Bushaw, who won the 2001 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity on Jerryoes and the 2008 NCHA Super Stakes Non-Pro on Cats Ruby.

Steve Anderson, Victoria, Tex., was reserve champion of the NCHA Derby Non-Pro with 218.5 points aboard Smooth N Cattacular, by Smooth As a Cat.

For complete results, click here.