The NCHA Futurity in December, with its purse of nearly $4 million, is the standard against which all 3-year-old cutting events are measured. But “small,” early futurities have also launched many top horses, including 2004 NCHA Horse of the Year Boon San Kitty, who made her debut at three as champion of the PCCHA Futurity, in November.

The West Texas Open Futurity, which concluded last weekend in Amarillo, offered a preview of breeding trends that might emerge from the 2012 NCHA Futurity, as well as a look at some of the riders likely to do well in Fort Worth.

Smooth As I Can won the West Texas Futurity with 221 points under Matt Miller for owner Janice Eaton; while Big Sheila claimed reserve with 219 points under owner Craig Thompson, winner of the 2011 NCHA Futurity aboard Oh Miss Caroline.

Smooth As I Can was one of four West Texas Futurity finalists, from a 13-horse field, sired by Smooth As A Cat.

Big Sheila, sired by Peptos Stylish Oak, was one of five finalists who claim Peptoboonsmal as their paternal grandsire. All five, however, had different sires. Cat Diesel, who placed fourth and was reserve champion of the Limited and Open Gelding divisions, is by One Time Pepto. Uno Triton and Peptotoodie, who split fifth, are sired by Pepto Taz and Peptotime, respectively, and Hesa Peptocat, is by Hes A Peptospoonful

Peptoboonsmal is also the sire of finalist Roanflakes, ridden by Beau Galyean, winner of the 2008 NCHA Futurity aboard Metallic Cat.

Roanflakes and Galyean, as well as Cat Diesel, shown by Adan Banuelos, also placed third and fourth, respectively in the South Point Futurity, which concludes tomorrow in Las Vegas.

For complete results for all divisions of the West Texas Futurity, click here.