Clint Allen tied for the high cumulative average of 436 points on Wrigley Ranches’ Wood I Never after two rounds in the 2009 Tunica Classic. But it was Faith In My Cat, also owned by Wrigley Ranches, that carried Allen for a 221.5-point win in the finals of the Tunica Classic on Thursday, February 5. Snazzy Easter Bunny, ridden by Austin Shepard, placed second with 219.5. Wood I Never finished 5th/6th with 217.5 points.
Although 6-year-old Faith In My Cat has been overshadowed by stablemate Wood I Never, winner of the 2007 NCHA Super Stakes and Derby, and earner of $330,928, the High Brow Cat son has been a consistent finalist for Allen and owner Julie Wrigley, Weatherford,TX. He placed fifth under Allen in the recent Augusta Classic and was reserve champion of the 2008 Music City Classic. His previous wins came as open champion and open gelding champion at the 2007 South Point Futurity.
Faith In My Cat earned $20,229 for his win and has lifetime earnings of $141,430.
Snazzy Easter Bunny is owned by Libby Bowman, who rode her as amateur champion of the 2008 Southern Futurity and a non-pro finalist in the 2008 MillionHeir Classic. The 5-year-old daughter of Smart Sugar Badger placed seventh with Shepard, as well, in the 2008 MillionHeir Open Classic.
Shepard also rode High Brow CD, 2008 NCHA Horse of the Year, to place fourth in the Tunica Classic with 218.5 points. Owned by Grace Ranch, Jennings, LA, High Brow CD topped $500,000 in earnings as a finalist in the 2009 Augusta Classic and is now the highest earning Open stallion since Docs Okie Quixote, winner of the NCHA Triple Crown in 1984.