Ken Mock marked 225 on Ralph Gray’s Just Playin Smart to lead the first round of the Open division in the Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting a the San Antonio Rodeo & Stock Show on Saturday.
The 13-year-old horse has been a four-time finalist in Mercuria NCHA World Series events.
Bred by Brazos Bend Ranch, by Freckles Playboy out of Smart Little Pet, Just Playin Smart will pass the $310,000 mark with a check in the $25,000-added finals. Earlier in his career, he won the Augusta Classic and the AQHA World Show Junior Cutting with Faron Hightower on board. This will be Mock’s first trip to the Mercuria finals.
Lindy Burch marked 221.5 on Oxbow Ranch’s Louellas Cat for the second high score in the go-round. Josh Dozier on Vick Etheridge’s current world standings leader Mississippi Cat, and Chubby Turner on J Five Horse Ranch Management’s One Time Choice, both marked 220.
Other qualifying scores:
219.5 Lizzys Gotta Babe, ridden by Adan Banuelos for Tim and Missy Drummond
219.5 Pepto Boom, owned and ridden by Kobie Wood
219.0 Auspicious Cat, ridden by Ed Dufurrena for Dos Cats Partners
219.0 Spooked By A Cat, ridden by Jason Taylor for Carol Ward
218.0 Montanas Cougar, ridden by Constance Jaeggi for J Five Horse Ranch Management