Two of the most anticipated weeks of the year for barrel racers happen in the scenic town of Montrose, Colorado. With back-to-back events in Run at the Rose and the Colorado Classic, many barrel racers make a mini vacation of staying the ten day stretch.
Kicking off with the Run at the Rose, the times were fast and the payouts were great, with many of the best aged-event horses in the country venturing west for the two races.
Round 1 of the Futurity went to Jamie Hinton Anderson riding The Pretty Mess (PC Redwood Manny x Six Fortunes On Fire x Rare Firewater) with a 15.327-second run, good for $2,744. Winning Round 2, Taylor Miniat rode Love Lane (The Goodbye Lane x JKT Drifting Tu Love x Sadies Frosty Drift) to a 15.415.
The Futurity Average win was claimed by Ceri Ward and Nonstop Lane Ta Fame (The Goodbye Lane x CM Famous Victory x Famous Bugs) for $3,502. The duo placed second in Round 1 with a 15.434, earnings $2,287 and fifth in Round 2 for $1,143 with a 15.458. Owned by Sharin Hall, “Laney” banked a little over $13,000 with open and sidepot earnings.
The Goodbye Lane offspring made a great showing at the Run at the Rose, with Jolene Montgomery and Busby Quarter Horses’ Move Outta My Lane finishing third in the Average for $2,481. Out of National Finals Rodeo qualifier and standout producer, Sheza Blazin Move by Blazin Jetolena, “Reggie” finished second in Round 2 for a $2,287 payday.
Proving the power of maternal genetics, second in the Average went to Dacota Monk and Seis Martinis. Sired by Tres Seis and out of the incredible Morning Traffic (Frenchmans Guy), “Marti Jane” continues to build her own resume at some of the biggest events of the year.
Other major paydays for the weekend included the slot races. Topping the 1D in the Mike Miniat Memorial Slot Race, Jordan Bailey and Ima Girl Fame earned $6,934 with a 15.410-second run. The 2D win went to Pirate Iron Eyes and Avery Ledesma for $3,836. Kristen Myers and MRI Nick It Kit Kat claimed the 3D win and $2,558.
Aubrey Saggiano and Letta Girl Jet earned the Youth Slot Race win with a 15.766 for $2,187. The 2D win went to French Streakin Slew and Kylie Kittles for $1,312 with a 16.273. Topping the 3D was Smart Little Missile and CodyLynn Meisner with a 16.769 for $875.
The single round Derby win went to Jordon Briggs and Awesome Arlo (Blazin Jetolena x Ta Wonder x Dash Ta Fame) with a 15.239 for $3,344. The duo also topped the Saturday Open for another $2,200.