Back in 1947, 103,000 spectators gather to watch three sprinters run on the same track that humans used for the 1932 and ’84 Olympics.

By Richard Chamberlain for the Q-Racing Journal

1694

August 18 – The owners of two Celebrated American Quarter of a Mile Running Horses disagree over the outcome of a race on a quarter path and wind up in court. According to Virginia court records, the brother of a winning owner waved his hat in the face of the other horse, causing the loser to veer “out of the path, and forced him to run on the outside of the [finish] pole.”

1890

August 20 – The gelding Bob Wade clocks a world record :21 1/4 over 440 yards at Butte, Montana.

1947

With 103,000 spectators on hand for a rodeo in the Los Angeles Coliseum, the largest live crowd ever at a Quarter Horse race watch three sprinters going 220 yards around one turn on the same track that humans used for the 1932 and ’84 Olympics. The race was an unofficial lap-and-tap event, with Air Mail defeating Mexico Dick and Billy Anson.

August 3 – Frank Vessels hosts the first scheduled card of races on the track at his ranch near Los Alamitos, California. Going 220 yards in :13.3 over a slow track, the Moreno family’s Ben Cheese, a 2-year-old colt by El Milagro, wins the first race by a head. Vessels’ Painted Joe colt Jo Jo V finishes second.

August 4 – Barbra B defeats the record-holding Thoroughbred sprinter Fair Truckle in a $50,000 match race over a quarter-mile at Hollywood Park. Barbra B is owned by Roy Gill, an Arizona rancher. Gill’s 4-year-old mare by B’Ar Hunter II is trained by Lyo Lee and ridden by Tony Licata, who removed his false teeth to make weight. Imported from Ireland, Fair Truckle is owned by C.S. Howard, who became famous as the owner of Seabiscuit; the 4-year-old stallion is trained by Howard Philpot and ridden by Johnny Longden, who would go on to win the Kentucky Derby both as a jockey and trainer.

August 31 – Going 350 yards at the fairgrounds in Cuero, Texas, Mae West defeats three rivals for a $20,000 purse. Running fourth and last is the Thoroughbred Woven Web, aka Miss Princess, who in May defeated world champion Shue Fly in a celebrated match race at Del Rio, Texas. Bred by Coke Roberds of Haden, Colorado, Mae West is a 12-year-old mare by Coke T “Prince.”

1951

August 4 & 31 – Reigning world champion Blob Jr gets beat in consecutive races at Centennial Turf Club in Littleton, Colorado. Barbara L wins the first race and Monita and Maddon’s Bright Eyes finish first and second in the second. In that second race, on the final day of the month, Blob Jr is sixth in a field that also includes Leota W, Raindrop and Dalhart Princess. Bred by Earl Barrett of Dry Creek, Louisiana, Blob Jr is a 4-year-old stallion by Blob (TB) out of the Doc Horn mare Nora.

August 19 – Former world champion Maddon’s Bright Eyes wins her third consecutive race, taking the Raton Handicap over Monita at La Mesa Park in Raton, New Mexico. Earlier in the month, on the 1st and the 11th, “Bright Eyes” defeated Barbara L and other top horses at Centennial racetrack. Owned and trained by C.L. Maddon of Albuquerqe, New Mexico, Bright Eyes is a 5-year-old daughter of Gold Mount out of Plaudette by King Plaudit (TB).

1952

August 10 & 17 – Monita wins the Raton Handicap. The following week, she and Maddon’s Bright Eyes – who last year were co-world champions together – are defeated by Stella Moore in another Raton Handicap. Finishing second on the 17th, Maddon’s Bright Eyes was coming off an August 9 allowance win at Centennial in which she defeated a field including Ed Heller, Tonto Bars Gill, Dalhart Princess and Leola.

August 24 – On his way to the world championship, Johnny Dial finishes second to Stella Moore at Ruidoso Downs. Bred by Charles Hepler of New Mexico, Johnny Dial is a 4-year-old son of Depth Charge (TB), while Ott Adams of Texas bred Stella Moore by Joe Moore out of a Chicaro Bill mare.

August 29 – Making her final career start, Maddon’s Bright Eyes finishes second to Dalhart Princess in the Rocky Mountain QHFA Centennial’s World Championship Dash at Centennial Turf Club.

August 31 – Johnny Dial wins the Ruidoso Stallion Stakes.

1953

August 8 – Starting her fourth career race, Josie’s Bar breaks her maiden at Enid, Oklahoma, winning the first of what will be a record 14 consecutive wins. Bred and owned by Oscar Cox of Lawton, Oklahoma, the Three Bars (TB) filly is out of the Raffles (TB) mare Josephine R.

August 8, 16 & 29 – Miss Meyers, who would win nine of 17 races to be this year’s world champion, scores over Dalhart Princess in the Billy Anson Stakes at Centennial racetrack. The 4-year-old daughter of Leo then finishes second to Goldie H in the Raton Handicap and finally gets beat by Monita in the Barbra B Handicap at Centennial. Bred and owned by O.C. Meyer of Minnesota, the Leo mare will go on to produce AQHA Supreme Champion Kid Meyers and Oh My Oh, who later would produce All American Futurity winner Three Oh’s and Callmecutie.

1954

August 14 – Winning her second consecutive race, Black Easter Bunny defeats world champion Miss Meyers at Centennial racetrack. By Hysition (TB) out of Flicka by Chicaro Bill, Black Easter Bunny is bred, owned and trained by Walt Culbertson of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1955

Los Alamitos Juvenile Championship winner Go Man Go is back in California, taking the month off since tasting first defeat in the July 16 Ruidoso Futurity. The loss, by a nose to Sure Now, was the first in seven starts for the bred-in-Texas colt by Top Deck (TB), who races for his breeder, J.B. Ferguson of Wharton, Texas.

1956

August 12 – Go Man Go, defending his title after becoming racing’s first juvenile to be crowned world champion, defeats Miss Myrna Bar, Bob’s Folly, Brigand (TB), Ridge Butler and others in the Wonder Lad Stakes at Ruidoso Downs. Go Man Go now races for A.B. Green of Purcell, Oklahoma, who gave Ferguson cash for the horse: 420 $100 bills.

1957

August 3 & 25 – Still a wonder: Go Man Go wins the Ruidoso Maturity and repeats in the Wonder Lad.

1958

August 3, 10 & 24 – Mr Bar None scores consecutively in his Ruidoso Derby trial and final, and then defeats Brigand, Vanetta Dee, Vandy’s Flash and Double Bid in the Wonder Lad Stakes. Trained by Oscar Jeffers, the Three Bars (TB) colt races for his breeders, June and Zelma Jeffers of Wagoner, Oklahoma.

1959

August 1 & 8 — Go Man Go wins back-to-back allowance events at Ruidoso Downs, while Miss Louton wins her trial and final of the Ruidoso Derby. Bred by Mrs. F.R. Glover of Glendale, Arizona, Miss Louton is a 3-year-old Tonto Bars Gill filly racing for Marion Seward of Wray, Colorado.

August 16 – In a third allowance in two weeks, Go Man Go is beaten by Lena’s Bar (TB) and Tidy Too over a sloppy surface at Ruidoso, with the remaining order of finish Double Bid, Easter Rose, War Chic, Vanetta Dee and Dr Rand V. Walter Merrick’s Lena’s Bar is a daughter of Three Bars and later gains fame as the dam of full brothers Easy Jet and Jet Smooth, both by Jet Deck.

August 23 – Go Man Go runs fourth behind Missle Bar, War Chic and Tidy Too in what is to be the former world champion’s final appearance in an added-money event, the Wonder Lad Stakes at Ruidoso. Finishing behind Go Man Go are Lena’s Bar, Vandy’s Flash, Double Bid and Miss Louton. Bred by K.M. Chafin of Prescott, Arizona, Missle Bar is a sophomore colt by Three Bars out of Peggy N by Clabber.

August 30 – Racing over a good track at Ruidoso Downs, Galobar runs fourth in her trial to the inaugural All American Futurity. The filly finishes behind Me Bright, Charge Bar and Granite Dust, but the first and third finishers are disqualified for interference while Galobar advances to the September 7 final, which promises to be the richest ever in American Quarter Horse racing. By Three Bars, Galobar is out of the Raffles (TB) mare Josephine R and is a full sister to world champion Josie’s Bar and a half sister to the stakes-winning Blob Jr stallion Blob’s Boy. Galobar is owned by Hugh Huntley, trained by Newt Keck and ridden by Cliff Lambert.

1960

August 14 – Tonto Bars Hank defeats Done Won, Three Deep and Rebel Cause at Ruidoso Downs. Bred by Wayne Rossen of Merino, Colorado, the colt by champion Tonto Bars Gill is owned by Milo and C.G. Whitcomb of Sterling, Colorado.

August 27 – Rebel Cause turns the table on Tonto Bars Hank, beating the colt by three-quarters of a length in their trial to the All American Futurity. Dynago Miss finishes third, with Mr Meyers fourth and Midland Miss fifth, each qualifying for the September 5 final. Bred and owned by Dale and Chet Robertson’s Haymaker Farms at Yukon, Oklahoma, Rebel Cause is a Top Deck (TB) colt out of Bankette by Worryman.

1961

August 5 & 26 – At Ruidoso, Pokey Bar wins an allowance and then comes back to score by daylight in his trial to the All American Futurity. The Three Bars colt races for his breeder, Hugh Huntley, and is trained by Newt Keck, who teamed to win the first All American with Galobar.

August 6 & 26 – The undefeated Bunny’s Bar Maid wins the Kansas Futurity and then comes back to set the :20.6 fastest qualifying time to the All American Futurity. A homebred racing for Spencer Childers of Fresno, California, the filly by Three Bars has won each of her six races.

1962

August 5 & 25 – At Ruidoso, Hustling Man wins against allowance company including Oklahoma and Kansas futurities winner Mr Juniper Bar and Los Alamitos Juvenile Championship winner Jet Deck. Bred and owned by J.B. Ferguson, the Go Man Go colt comes back to defeat Ruidoso Futurity winner Little Chloe by a head in their trial to the All American Futurity.

August 24 – No Butt wins at Ruidoso Downs in allowance company including champions Fly Straw and Arizonan. The 7-year-old Joe Less mare was bred by Guy Corpe’s Corpe Ranch at Sacramento, California, and races for Guy Purinton of Hollister, California.

August 30 – Hugh Huntley’s Nela Charge is the highest seller at Triple A Livestock Sale Company’s First All American Futurity Sale at Ruidoso, New Mexico. Selling for $20,000, the yearling filly by Depth Charge (TB) is one of 19 head haltered by Tom McKay of Illinois, who single-handedly makes his home state the leading address of sale graduates.

1963

August 4 – Jet Deck wins the Ruidoso Derby for his seventh consecutive victory. Bred by William Carter of Caldwell, Idaho, the Moon Deck colt is owned by J.B. Chambers of Littleton, Colorado. “Choo Choo” Charley Smith rides Jet Deck for trainer Wilbur Stuchal.

August 24 – Winning her fifth consecutive race, the undefeated Goetta beats Kansas Futurity winner Mr Tinky Bar by a quarter of a length in their trial to the All American Futurity. Both qualify to the September 2 final. Goetta, a Go Man Go filly, is owned by Hugh Huntley and trained by Newt Keck; Mr Tinky Bar is a Rocket Bar (TB) colt trained by Fred Danley and racing for Robert M. Lee, Oliver Lee Jr., Mrs. V.M. “Pansy J” Lee and Jackie Lee Smith of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

1964

August 16 – Clarence Scharbauer Jr.’s homebred Double Bid mare Double Queen wins the inaugural Rainbow Futurity. Jimmy Dreyer rides Double Queen for trainer Don Farris.

August 29 – Decketta wins her trial to the All American Futurity by a nose over Devil Deck and Peck’s Bar, with all three qualifying to the final. Raffle Charge finishes fourth, and fifth is Goldseeker Bars, who will go on to set two track records at Blue Ribbon Downs before becoming an AQHA Supreme Champion, with points in halter, western pleasure and cutting.

1965

August 1 – On her way to the world championship, Go Josie Go finishes third, behind Nippy Bars and Night Latch, in the inaugural Rainbow Derby. Champion Duplicate Copy is fifth. A Three Bars filly, Nippy Bars is owned by Hugh Huntley, trained by Newt Keck and ridden by Curtis Perner.

August 6 & 28 – Savannah Jr finishes first in his trial to the Rainbow Futurity but is disqualified to third for interference. The colt by Everett Jr. (TB) then finishes third to Moore Go and Cee Bar Deck in their trial to the All American Futurity, with Deck Be There fourth and Miss Gold Angel fifth, all qualifying to the September 6 final. Bred by J.R. Cates of Tulsa and racing for Ray Cates of Sayre, Oklahoma, Savannah Jr is ridden by Jack Wallace Jr. and trained by Ted Wells Jr., whose son Scott grooms the horse.

1966

August 5 – Top Ladybug defeats the stakes-winning Go Dick Go by a head in their Rainbow Futurity trial.

August 7 – Bar None Doll defeats Bright Bardee and Savannah Jr in the Rainbow Derby. Also-rans in the Derby include Ruby Charge, Suki Tadre and The Ole Man. Bred by Oscar Jeffers Jr. and owned by Bert Coats of Yoakum, Texas, the filly by world champion Mr Bar None is trained by Bob Weever and ridden by Billy Powell.

August 14 – Top Ladybug wins the Rainbow Futurity by a nose over Doll Bid, with Go Dick Go third. A homebred racing for Marvin and Lela Barnes of Ada, Oklahoma, Top Ladybug is a Top Deck filly out of American Quarter Horse Hall of Famer FL Lady Bug by Sergeant. Boyd Morris rides Top Ladybug, who is trained by the Barnes’ son Mike.

August 27 – Go Dick Go wins his trial to the All American Futurity by 1 1/4 lengths. The victory is the second in six races at Ruidoso Downs for the Little Dick Priest colt, who also scored in his June 10 trial to Roma Charge’s Kansas Futurity.

1967

August 4 & 13 – Three-time futurity winner Laico Bird wins her Rainbow Futurity trial by 2 1/4 lengths over Turf’s Best, who then beats her by 1 1/4 lengths in the final. Bred by Hewlett Packard President Bob Boniface of California and racing for T.H. Baker of San Antonio, Texas, Turf’s Best is a Rebel Cause colt trained by Marshall Morris and ridden by Jim Bannowsky who will end the year as champion freshman colt.

August 26 – Savannah Dandy, who was second to Top Rockette in the June 17 Bay Meadows California Bred Futurity, defeats Laico Bird and Top Rockette by daylight in their trial to the All American Futurity. All three qualify to the September 4 final.

1968

August 3 & 22 – At Los Alamitos, Kaweah Bar wins the Jet Deck Handicap by 1 3 /4 lengths, and then hands his rivals a three-length drubbing in his trial to the September 2 Kindergarten Futurity. Owned by George Chittick of Long Beach, California, the Alamitos Bar gelding is trained by Robert Knight and ridden by Bobby “The Master” Adair.

August 4 & 23 – Three Oh’s finishes third to Ludie’s Puma and Quincy Rocket in the Raton Futurity at La Mesa Park. Owned by Dr. and Mrs. D.G. Strole of Abilene, Texas, the colt by Three Chicks then goes to Ruidoso to win his All American Futurity trial by four lengths.

1969

August 1 – Coming off a three-length win in the July 25 trials to the Raton Futurity at La Mesa Park, Walter Merrick’s homebred Jet Deck colt Easy Jet returns to Ruidoso Downs and scores by half of a length in his trial to the Rainbow Futurity.

August 3 – Easy Jet returns to La Mesa Park, where he encounters a heavy track and finishes second in the Raton Futurity, one length behind Jet Deep. Bred by Bob Moore of Norman, Oklahoma, and owned by George Askew of Petrolia, Texas, Jet Deep is a Mr Meyers colt trained by J.N. Brock and ridden by Luke Myles.

August 10 – In his worst finish as a freshman, Easy Jet runs sixth in Miss Three Wars’ Rainbow Futurity. Third-place finisher Je Roon is disqualified to ninth for interference, moving Easy Jet to fifth. Bred by William Duckworth of Carthage, Missouri, and owned by Paul Travis of Norman, Oklahoma, Miss Three Wars is a Three Chicks filly trained by T.M. Warren and ridden by Larry Wilson.

August 22 – Easy Jet wins his All American Futurity trial by two lengths.

1970

August 7 & 16 – Rocket Wrangler wins his Rainbow Futurity trial by 3 1/4 lengths and follows with a three-quarter-length decision over Bunny Bid in the final. The Rocket Bar (TB) colt is trained by C.W. “Bubba” Cascio and ridden by Jerry Nicodemus for John R. Adams of Guymon, Oklahoma.

August 17 – Charger Bar breaks her maiden on first asking.

August 22 – Former world champion Kaweah Bar defeats champion Top Rockette by a nose in the Hard Twist Stakes at Los Alamitos.

August 28 – Rocket Wrangler wins his All American Futurity trial by a neck over Rebel Seeker, both qualifying to the September 7 final.

August 30 – World champion Easy Jet finishes third to Go Together and Cinder Leo in the World’s Championship Classic. Bred by W.H. Peckham and racing for Harriet Peckham’s Buena Suerte Ranch at Roswell, New Mexico, Go Together is a 3-year-old Brazos Bar filly trained by Dean Clifton and racing for Walter Hodges who will end the year as champion mare.

1971

August 6 & 15 – Mr Kid Charge scores by a length in both the trials and final of the Rainbow Futurity. Finishing second in the final is Mr Jet Moore. A Kid Meyers colt bred by A.B. Green of Purcell, Oklahoma, Mr Kid Charge is owned by Will Whitehead of San Angelo, Texas. Johnnie Cox rides Mr Kid Charge for trainer James Chapman.

August 27 – Mr Kid Charge wins his All American Futurity trial by 1 1/2 lengths.

1972

August 5 — Mr Jet Moore defeats Charger Bar by three-quarters of a length in the Go Man Go Handicap, with Kaweah Bar a length off the pace in third. Osage Rocket is fourth and Jet Charger fifth. Bob Moore’s homebred Jet Deck colt is trained by Earl Holmes and ridden by Charlie Smith.

August 25 – Possumjet wins her All American Futurity trial by a neck.

August 26 – Mr Jet Moore wins the Vandy’s Flash Handicap at Los Alamitos.

1973

August 3 – Timeto Thinkrich wins the Los Ninos Handicap at Los Alamitos. The Aforethought (TB) colt is bred by Frank Vessels Jr. and races for Vessels Stallion Farm of Los Alamitos, California.

August 10 & 18 – Timeto Thinkrich wins his trial to the Kindergarten Futurity but finishes fourth behind Lanty’s Jet, stablemate Go Fartherfaster and Impressively in the final.

August 18 – Mr Kid Charge defeats Truckle Feature by a neck in the trials for the World’s Championship Classic.

August 24 – Azure Teen beats Timeto Thinkrich by half of a length in their trial to the All American Futurity.

August 26 – Truckle Feature sets a quarter-mile world record in winning the World’s Championship Classic at Ruidoso Downs. The :21.02 clocking will stand 23 years as the world record and 29 as the track mark. Bred by Youel Watson of Yuma, Arizona, the sophomore colt by Truly Truckle (TB) is ridden by Willie Lovell and trained by Perry Walker. Gordon Howell of El Paso owns Truckle Feature.

1974

August 2 – Going 440 yards in :22.53, Majestic Chic, Everetts Bar Bob and Dandy Dana win in a triple dead heat at Los Alamitos.

August 3 – Easy Date wins the Kindergarten Futurity. Walter Merrick’s homebred Easy Jet filly is trained by James McArthur and ridden by Donnie Knight.

August 4 – The undefeated Tiny’s Gay wins the Rainbow Futurity by a nose over Vim And Vigor. The track-record-setting Chautos is third, three parts of a side off the pace, and among the also-rans are Easy Six and champions David Capri and Maskeo Lad. A Tiny Watch colt bred by Paul Travis, Tiny’s Gay is ridden by John Ward and trained by Larry Sharp for John Colville of Paramount, California.

August 17 – Winning her 12th consecutive race, world champion Charger Bar scores her 21st and last victory in a stakes, taking the Los Alamitos Invitational Championship by three-fourths of a length over champion Flight 109. Bred and trained by Wayne Charlton of Utah, and ridden by Jimmy Dreyer, the 6-year-old mare by Tiny Charger is owned by Drs. Ed Allred and Kenneth Wright of California.

August 23 – Winning his 12th consecutive race, Tiny’s Gay beats Maskeo Lad by a length in the fifth trial to the All American Futurity. Little Blue Sheep is another length behind in third. All three advance to the September 2 final. Easy Date wins the 11th trial, defeating David Capri by 1 1/4 lengths, with Chautos another quarter of a length behind in third; the three also qualify for the final.

August 25 – Pass Over wins the inaugural All American Derby. Bred by Nat Kieffer, a professor at Texas A&M University, the Pass ’Em Up (TB) filly is owned by Jack R. Delmar of Rosenberg, Texas. Jerry Nicodemus rides Pass Over for Bubba Cascio.

1975

August 3 – Chick Called Sue wins the Rainbow Futurity, defeating West Texas Futurity winner Bugs Alive In 75 by half of a length. Chick’s Deck is third. Aubrey Stokes’ homebred Three Chicks filly is trained by Keith Sanders and ridden by Frank Henning.

August 10 & 23 – Dash For Cash wins by 1 1/2 lengths in allowance company at Ruidoso. B.F. Phillips Jr.’s homebred Rocket Wrangler colt then scores by a length in his All American Futurity trial in a time that qualifies him for the All American Futurity Second Consolation. Jerry Nicodemus rides Dash For Cash for C.W. “Bubba” Cascio.

August 15 – Easy Date wins her All American Derby trial by half of a length, with Easy Six second and David Capri third.

August 22 – Winning his ninth of 12 races, Bugs Alive In 75 wins his All American Futurity trial by 3 1/4 lengths. The homebred Top Moon colt racing for Ralph Shebester of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, is trained by J.B. Montgomery and ridden by Jerry Burgess.

August 24 – Vim And Vigor wins the All American Derby. Clarence Scharbauer’s homebred Go Man Go filly defeats Jet Comanche and Easy Date by a head, with Little Blue Sheep fourth and Easy Six fifth. Danny Cardoza rides Vim And Vigor for trainer Don Farris.

August 30 – Recovering from surgery for severe colic, Dash For Cash is scratched from the All American Futurity Second Consolation. The colt is saved only through the transfusion of about a gallon of blood from his sire, Rocket Wrangler, who stands at Buena Suerte Ranch at Roswell, New Mexico, an hour east of Ruidoso.

1976

August 1 – Real Wind wins the Rainbow Futurity by a length over Megahertz. Cutie Kiss is third and My Easy Credit fourth. Topless Dancer finishes seventh. Bred by the partnership of A.D. Stowe and J.D. Kitchens of Portales, New Mexico, the Go With The Wind filly is owned by retired school teachers Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Kitchens and is trained by Stowe. Jeff Fair rode Real Wind in what will turn out to be her second-biggest stakes win.

August 21 – Dash For Cash wins his All American Derby trial by 2 1/2 lengths.

August 27 – Real Wind wins her All American Futurity trial by a length over Pass Your Glass. Both qualify to the September 6 final.

August 29 – Mito Wise Dancer defeats Dash For Cash by half of a length in the All American Derby. Coming off a win over I’m Gorgeous, Speckled Trace and Windy Ryon in the August 21 trials, Mito Wise Dancer is trained by H.C. “Bubba” Werner and is ridden by J.C. Wiley. Bred by Carl Dodd of Millsap, Texas, the Mito Paint (TB) colt out of a Bob’s Folly mare races for Dodd, Gary Pogue and Jerry Rheudasil, D.V.M. Rheudasil is the veterinarian at B.F. Phillips Jr.’s Phillips Ranch, who races Dash For Cash.

1977

August 13 – World champion Dash For Cash defeats A Zure Request by 1 1/2 lengths in the Los Alamitos Invitational Championship. Dash For Cash was saddled by D.Wayne Lukas, who sent out Jerry Nicodemus on the 4-year-old son of Rocket Wrangler.

August 26 – Hot Idea wins her trial to the All American Futurity by 2 3/4 lengths. The filly by Aforethought was starting her second race, having broken her maiden at first asking on July 5. Hot Idea is owned by Ted Bruce and Floyd Jackson of Childress, Texas.

1978

August 18 – Coming off a victory in the July 23 World’s Championship Classic, Miss Thermolark wins her All American Derby trial by a neck over Lucks Image Girl and Easy Saint. The three qualify to the August 27 final. A homebred Thermos (TB) filly racing for Ronny Schliep of Grove, Oklahoma, Miss Thermolark is trained by Leo Craighead and ridden by Carl White.

August 19 – Going 350 yards in :17.84, Copy Right, Abovepar and The Candidate win in a triple dead heat at Los Alamitos.

August 25 – Moon Lark wins his All American Futurity trial by a length over Boonanza, both advancing to the September 4 final.

August 26 – Starting the 114th and next-to-last race in his career, Mark T Bars comes home a winner for the Quarter Horse record 64th time. Bred by George Holland of Higley, Arizona, the 12-year-old stakes-winning gelding by Saint Mark has spent his entire career racing for the Allred Bros. (Harvey, Dale and Jerry) of Arizona.

August 27 – At Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, Medley Glass wins the All American Derby by a nose over Town Policy, with Seco Mia third and Miss Thermolark fourth. Bred and owned by Dewitt Logue and Arnold Patschke’s Lo-Pa Inc. of Houston, the Raise Your Glass (TB) filly is trained by Gene Tefertiller and ridden by Jerry Nicodemus.

Meanwhile at Trinity Meadows in Texas, Jo Top Two, Jet Royales Jan and Bay Native go 440 yards in :22.33 to win in a triple dead heat.

1979

August 10 – Holme Maid wins her All American Derby trial by a nose over Moon Lark, with A Roon third. All three qualify to the August 26 final.

August 23 – Pie In The Sky, who was third in both the June 30 Kindergarten Futurity and July 28 Skoal Dash For Cash Futurity, wins his All American Futurity trial by three lengths. The September 3 final will be the first race by horses of any breed to carry a purse of $1 million.

August 26 – Dickeys Fireman wins the All American Derby by half of a length over Moon Lark, with A Roon another quarter of a length behind in third. A gelding by Fire Call, Dickeys Fireman is bred by Harvey and Molly Dickey of Los Altos, California, and is owned by Lyle Simmelink and R. Farnam of McDoel, California. James McArthur trains Dickeys Fireman, who was ridden by Donnie Knight.

1980

August 7 – Coming off a sixth-place finish in Mighty Deck Three’s Rainbow Futurity, Six Fols defeats Higheasterjet by a length in their placing trial to the All American Futurity.

August 16 – Winning his fifth consecutive race and fourth consecutive stakes, Super Sound Charge scores by three-fourths of a length over A Roon in the Los Alamitos Invitational Championship. Town Policy is a length off the pace in third. Owned by Floyd Terrell’s Terrell Quarter Horses Inc. at Plano, Texas, the 4-year-old Roma Charge stallion is trained by Blane Schvaneveldt and ridden by Danny Cardoza.

August 22 – Higheasterjet, whose only finish in a stakes has been a fifth to Galent Johnie in the March 30 Texas Futurity at La Bahia Downs, defeats Six Fols by a head in their All American Futurity trial. Both qualify to the September 1 final.

August 24 – Native Gambler wins the All American Derby. The purse of $1,222,800 is the richest ever to date in horse racing. Bred by Bob Weik of San Antonio, Texas, the Raise Your Glass (TB) gelding is owned by Gary Benton of Lubbock. Johnie Goodman trains Native Gambler, who was ridden by Billy Hunt.

1981

August 13 & 27 – Winning his seventh and eighth races, the undefeated Special Effort takes his placing trial to the All American Futurity by 4 1/2 lengths and follows in the time trials with a 1 1/4-length score.

August 17 – Los Alamitos closes its summer meet as the first American Quarter Horse track to handle an average of more than $1 million daily.

August 21 – Coming off a win in the July 5 Rainbow Derby, Higheasterjet wins his All American Derby trial by 2 3/4 lengths.

August 30 – Higheasterjet, who won last year’s All American Futurity and is undefeated in five starts this year, beats Queen For Cash by a nose in the All American Derby. Earning $350,000 of the $854,000 purse pushes Higheasterjet’s earnings to $1,009,363, making the Pine’s Easter Jet gelding the first millionaire in the sport. Bred by Doug McMullen and Jerry Highsmith of Palacios, Texas, and owned by G.D. Highsmith of La Grange, Higheasterjet is trained by Johnie Goodman and ridden by Billy Hunt.

That evening, Higheasterjet’s half brother Himito Dancer, a yearling from the third crop by Mito Wise Dancer, sells for a record $510,000 at the Ruidoso Super Select Sale.

1982

August 11 – Coming off a third to Yankee Win and Bartendress in the July 25 Rainbow Futurity, Mr Master Bug wins his placing trial to the All American Futurity by 3 1/4 lengths.

August 16 – Winning his third consecutive stakes, Sgt Pepper Feature dead-heats for first with Shawnee Hoo in the Los Alamitos Invitational Championship. Senator Sage is third and Town Policy fourth. Bred and owned by Tom Neff of Andrews, Texas, Sgt Pepper Feature is a 4-year-old Truckle Feature gelding trained by Mike Robbins and ridden by Danny Cardoza. A 4-year-old gelding by Old Pueblo (TB), Shawnee Hoo races for David Ehmann and Mike Flannery of Fort Collins, Colorado; Gordon Steinmiller trains Shawnee Hoo, who is ridden by James Lackey.

August 22 — Higheasterjet defeats Rule The Deck, Queen For Cash, Baby Hold On and others in the first running of the All American Gold Cup. G.D. Highsmith’s 4-year-old gelding by Pine’s East Jet is the first horse to sweep the All American series comprising the Futurity, Derby and Gold Cup. Johnie Goodman trains Higheasterjet, who is ridden by Billy Hunt.

August 26 – Mr Master Bug wins his All American Futurity time trial by 1 3/4 lengths. Call Me Favorite, Lucks Lucky and Easy Mito also light the board and qualify to the September 6 final, which will be the first race by horses of any breed to carry a purse of $2 million and will make the winner an instant millionaire.

August 29 – Justanold Love and Dashingly finish first and second in the All American Derby, handing world champion Special Effort his first career defeat on his last start before going to stud. Special Effort retires with a record of 13 wins from 14 races and earnings of $1,219,949, second only to Higheasterjet’s $1,633,035. Justanold Love is a Dash For Cash filly who is bred by Anne and B.F. Phillips Jr., who also bred Dash For Cash, and is owned by J.E. Jumonville Jr. of Ventress, Louisiana. Jerry Nicodemus rides Justanold Love for C.W. “Bubba” Cascio.

1983

August 12 – Coming off a well-beaten ninth in Meganette’s Rainbow Futurity, On A High scores by 1 1/4 lengths in his placing trial to the All American Futurity. AQHA this year initiated its system for grading stakes, with both the Rainbow and All American futurities receiving the highest ranking of Grade 1.

August 13 – Dashingly beats Hempens Jet by half of a length in their trial to the All American Gold Cup, with both advancing to the final.

August 13 – Jerry Windham’s Indigo Illusion wins the $853,380 Faberge Special Effort Futurity at Los Alamitos. Sprinting 440 yards in :21.26 and earning a speed index of 110, the Beduino (TB) filly posts the second-fastest quarter-mile in track history, behind only Dash For Cash’s :21.17 track record. Indigo Illusion is trained by Bruce Jackson and ridden by Robert Bard.

August 21 – Dashingly beats stablemate Justanold Love by a head in the $1,500,583 All American Gold Cup, the richest race ever for American Quarter Horses older than 2. Johnny Vittoro finishes a neck off the pace in third. Bred by Muriel Hyland’s White Oaks Ranch at Lake Hughes, California, and owned by J.E. Jumonville Jr. of Ventress, Louisiana, Dashingly is a 4-year-old Dash For Cash mare trained by C.W. “Bubba” Cascio and ridden by Bruce Pilkenton.

August 25 – On A High finishes third to Burnell and Racy Roman in their All American Futurity time trial. The three qualify to the September 5 final.

August 28 – R.D. Hubbard’s Make Mine Cash is declared the winner of the All American Derby when Mr Master Bug is disqualified to third for interference for drifting out. This year’s running of the Derby, with a record purse of $1,319,677, is the first to carry Grade 1 status. Trained by Don Farris and ridden by Jerry Nicodemus, Make Mine Cash was bred by Ted Bruce and Floyd Jackson, who won the 1977 All American Futurity with champion Hot Idea.

1984

August 10 – Coming off a win in the July 14 Dash For Cash Futurity at Los Alamitos, Eastex finishes second to Thermala in their placing trial to the All American Futurity (G1).

August 15 – Racing into a head wind over a sloppy track, Dashs Dream defeats On A High in their trial to the All American Derby (G1).

August 22 – Eastex wins his All American Futurity time trial by 2 1/4 lengths.

August 26 – Dashs Dream beats Meganette by a nose and Burnell by a neck in the All American Derby (G1). Bred and owned by Joe Kirk Fulton of Lubbock, Texas, the filly by Dash For Cash is trained by Mike Robbins and ridden by Danny Cardoza.

August 30 – Blue Ribbon Downs kicks the gate on the first pari-mutuel race in Oklahoma.

1985

August  8 & 21 – Mr Trucka Jet scores by a length in both his placing and time trials to the All American Futurity (G1). From the time trial, Bombay Native and Timeto Get Tuff also advance to the September 2 final.

August 14 – Cash Rate wins the Los Alamitos Invitational Championship (G1) by 1 1/2 lengths over Miss Jet Tonto, Prissy Fein, Face In The Crowd, Indigo Illusion and others. A 5-year-old gelding by Dash For Cash out of the Thoroughbred mare Cherry Lake by Lake Erie, Cash Rate races for B.F. Phillips Jr. and Minnie Rhea Wood of Texas. Cash Rate is trained by Blane Schvaneveldt and ridden by James Lackey.

1986

August 2 – Gold Coast Express, who last faced the starter in a winning effort in the June 27 Clabbertown G Handicap (G3) at Los Alamitos, wins the Laddie Handicap at Hollywood Park. Bred by Louella Mitchell and racing for her and husband Bill, the sophomore Moon Lark gelding is trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Danny Cardoza.

August 6 – Coming off a second to Jet Go Chick in the July 19 Rainbow Futurity Consolation, Ronas Ryon wins his placing trial to the All American Futurity (G1).

August 20 – Ronas Ryon wins his All American time trial by 2 1/4 lengths, advancing to the September 1 final.

August 21 & 30 – Gold Coast Express defeats Lady Classic Cash and Corporate Bug in their trial to the Dash For Cash Derby (G1) at Hollywood Park. The gelding by Moon Lark then takes a head decision over Corporate Bug in the final, in which Neats Wonder is third, Streakin Dash is fourth and Lady Classic Cash dead-heats for fifth with Winning Rich.

1987

August 13 & 26 – Elans Special wins her placing trial by two lengths and her time trial by 1 1/2 lengths, qualifying easily to the September 7 All American Futurity (G1).

August 29 – Proving again the versatility of the American Quarter Horse, Miss N Cash – a 4-year-old stallion by Dash For Cash – wins the National Cutting Horse Association Derby at Fort Worth, Texas.

August 30 – Ronas Ryon wins the All American Derby (G1) by 1 1/2 lengths. Hooked On Cash finishes second and Sompinlikaglass is third. Trained by Arnold Simmons and ridden by Jerry Nicodemus, the Windy Ryon colt is bred by James Floyd Plummer of Selma, Alabama, who races him in partnership with Ben Benham and W. “Sarge” Darden of Florida.

1988

August 11 – Rainbow Futurity (G1) winner Merganser wins his placing trial to the All American Futurity (G1) by half of a length.

August 24 – Merganser, whose only loss in his 10 previous career races was in Okeydokey Baby’s Kansas Futurity (G1), is beaten a nose by Easy Lady Oak in their time trial to the All American Futurity. To the cover of Special Task, Easy Lady Oak later becomes the dam of world champion Oak Tree Special.

1989

August 9 & 23 – Strawberry Silk wins her placing and time trials to the All American Futurity (G1). From her time trial, Blinkers Comment, Judge Cash and Effortless Dream also qualify to the September 4 final.

August 16 & 27 – Rainbow Derby (G1) winner See Me Do It wins her trial and the final of the All American Derby (G1), going undefeated through four races so far this year. A homebred On A High filly racing for Jean Dillard of Ringling, Oklahoma, See Me Do It is trained by Bobby Turner and ridden by Larry Layton.

1990

August 10 – Coming off a second to Vital Sign in the July 7 Heritage Place Futurity (G1), Refrigerator defeats Royal Bushwhacker by a nose in their placing trial to the All American Futurity (G1).

August 23 – Refrigerator defeats Special Legend by a length in their time trial to the All American Futurity. Both qualify to the September 3 final.

1991

August 9 & 22 – Royal Quick Dash wins his placing trial to the All American Futurity (G1) by 1 3/4 lengths, and then is second to Leaving Memories by the same margin in the time trials.

August 23 & 31 – Special Leader wins his trial by a neck and then romps by 2 1/4 lengths in the All American Gold Cup (G1). Bred and owned by Joe Kirk Fulton of Lubbock, Texas, the 4-year-old stallion by Special Effort out of a full sister to Grade 1 winner Mr Eye Opener is trained by Mike Robbins and ridden by Kenny Hart.

1992

August 13 & 27 – Dash Thru Traffic, who was fourth to Deceptively in the Kansas Futurity (G1) and third to Deceptively in the Rainbow Futurity (G1), wins his placing trial to the All American Futurity (G1). The colt by First Down Dash follows in the time trials with a neck win over Luxurious Dreams, with Yawls Rabbit third by three-fourths of a length, all three qualifying to the September 7 final.

1993

August 1 – World champion Refrigerator wins the World Championship Classic (G1) by a length over First Down And Ten. Bred by Sonny Vaughn of Wayne, Oklahoma, and owned by Jim and Marilyn Helzer of Arlington, Texas, the 5-year-old Rare Jet gelding is trained by Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath and wridden by Bruce Pilkenton.

August 20 – Coming off a win in the July 30 Dash For Cash Futurity at Los Alamitos, A Classic Dash wins his trial to the All American Futurity (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths.

1994

August 12 — Down With Debt, who defeated Sables Secret by half of a length in the July 30 Las Damas Handicap (G2) at Los Alamitos, wins the Go Man Go Handicap (G1) by a neck. Avison finishes second, with Childish third and former world champion Refrigerator fourth. Trained by Charles Bloomquist and ridden by John Creager, the 4-year-old First Down Dash mare is owned by her breeder, Dr. George Haddad of Costa Mesa, California.

August 19 – Coming off a win in the July 30 La Chiripada Stakes (G3) at The Downs at Santa Fe, Noblesse Six wins his All American Futurity (G1) trial by half of a length over Good Legacy. Both qualify to the September 5 final.

1995

August 18 – Coming off a second to Turbine Jet in the July 15 Heritage Place Futurity (G1), Winalota Cash wins his trial to the All American Futurity (G1) by 2 3/4 lengths.

1996

August 15 – Streakin Flyer, who was second in Pies Lil Dasher’s Oklahoma Futurity (G1) and seventh in Rakin In The Cash’s Heritage Place Futurity (G1), wins his All American Futurity (G1) trial by 1 1/2 lengths.

August 31 – Clocking :20.13 over 400 yards in the Governor’s Cup Handicap, Super Sound Bug, Shawnes Easy Bug and KB Super Shuttle win in a triple dead heat at Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

1997

August 1 – Blues Dash defeats SLM Big Daddy by two lengths while setting a :21.56 track record over 440 yards in the MBNA America Central Challenge (G3) at Prairie Meadows. Trained by Rex Brooks and ridden by Jerry Winters, the 4-year-old Dash For Cash gelding is owned by his breeder, Dr. James Burgess of Russellville, Arkansas.

August 1 & 14 – Corona Cash scores in the Ed Burke Memorial Futurity (G1), and after a flight to Roswell, New Mexico, wins her trial to the All American Futurity (G1) by three-fourths of a length. Bred by Robert Etchandy of Anaheim, California, the First Down Dash filly out of champion Corona Chick is owned by Oscar McArthur’s Jaramar Ltd. of Houston, Texas, and is trained by McArthur’s sister-in-law, Donna McArthur. Tami Purcell rides Corona Cash.

1998

August 11 – At the Vessels/Schvaneveldt sale, Royal Always sells for $650,000, a record for a racing American Quarter Horse sold at public auction. The yearling colt by First Down Dash out of Harems Choice by Beduino (TB) is a full brother to champions Royal Quick Dash and First Sovereign. Bred by Robert Wood and Vessels Stallion Farm, Royal Always is purchased by Oscar McArthur’s Jaramar Ltd.

August 14 — SLM Big Daddy wins his trial to the MBNA America California Challenge (G2).

August 20 – Old Habits and Falling In Loveagain finish one-two in their trial to the All American Futurity (G1).

August 28 – SLM Big Daddy finishes third to Heza Ramblin Man and Blushin Bugs in the MBNA America California Challenge. Trained by Blane Schvaneveldt and ridden by G.R. Carter Jr., Heza Ramblin Man is a 5-year-old Takin On The Cash gelding racing for Walter Fletcher of Lakin, Kansas.

1999

August 19 – Rainbow Futurity (G1) winner A Delightful Dasher defeats Tell Her More by 1 1/4 lengths in their trial to the All American Futurity (G1). Both advance to the September 6 final.

2000

August 5 – A Ransom wins his third consecutive race, taking the Vessels Maturity (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths over Corona Cash. Owned by Kathie and John Bobenrieth of Costa Mesa, California, who bred the 4-year-old First Down Dash gelding in partnership with Vessels Stallion Farm, A Ransom is trained by Connie Hall and ridden by Carlos Bautista.

August 17 – Eyesa Special wins his All American Futurity (G1) trial by 1 1/4 lengths over First Down N Surfin, both qualifying to the September 4 final.

2001

August 16 – Starting his third career race, Ausual Suspect defeats Love That Chappelle by a neck in their trial to the All American Futurity (G1). Both advance to the September 3 final.

2002

August 10 – Former world champion A Ransom romps by two lengths in the Vessels Maturity (G1), with Chiarascuro second, Rare Coup third and Whosleavingwho fourth.

August 15 – Coming off a May 26 win on first asking at Les Bois Park in Idaho, AB What A Runner defeats Silvered Eyes by 1 1/4 lengths in their trial to the All American Futurity (G1). Both qualify to the September 2 final, with AB What A Runner clocking :20.993 to break Truckle Feature’s :21.02 track record set 29 years ago.

August 29 – Sprinting 250 yards in :13.55, Party Marti, Red Ronas Express and EW Streakin Jody win in a triple dead heat at Sam Houston Race Park. There have been 20 triple dead heats in Quarter history, with five occurring in Augusts, more than any other month.

August 30 – Coming off a nose score in the July 13 MBNA America Texas Challenge (G1), Streakin Sin Tacha wins by three-fourths of a length in the Sam Houston Classic (G2). Owned and trained by Janet VanBebber, the 4-year-old Streakin La Jolla gelding is ridden by Alvin “Bubba” Brossette.

2003

August 1 & 17 – Oak Tree Special wins his trial and the final of the Remington Park Derby (G1). Bred by Mrs. C.L. Loreant at Oak Hill Ranch near Franklin, Texas, the sophomore Special Task gelding is owned by Raul Rubalcava of Wylie, Texas. Eddie Willis gave a leg up to Larry Payne for the Derby.

August 14 – By By JJ wins his All American Futurity (G1) trial by 1 1/2 lengths.

August 31 – Snow Big Deal sets a :20.946 track record over the quarter mile in the All American Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs. Bred by Deb Newenhouse of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, the gelding by This Snow Is Royal is owned by Dr. Gene White’s IV In Texas Racing of Roanoke, Texas. Joe Badilla rode Snow Big Deal for Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath.

2004

August 19 – Coming off a third to Thewayouwantmetoo and Hardly Hateful in the July 25 Rainbow Futurity (G1), DM Shicago finishes second to Mighty Invictus in their trial to the All American Futurity (G1). Hardly Hateful finishes third in the trial, but only Mighty Invictus and DM Shicago qualify to the September 6 final.

2005

August 18 – In the trials to the All American Futurity (G1), Teller Cartel finishes third to Shesnowlady and Arealstraitheart, with Why So Easy fourth. All four qualify to the September 5 final.

2006

August 17 – No Secrets Here wins his All American Futurity (G1) trial by a length over Mightys First Call and Genuine Botticelli, all three qualifying to the September 4 final.

August 19 – Wave Carver wins his trial to the Golden State Derby (G1).

2007

August 16 — Javier and Manny Rodriguez’s Heartswideopen wins her trial to the All American Futurity (G1) by 1 1/2 lengths in :20.921, the all-time fastest qualifying time for any futurity trial run at 440 yards. Champion AB What A Runner set the previous All American qualifying record of :20.993 in 2002 and then won the final. Heartswideopen’s time was the fastest quarter mile by a filly or mare and was the seventh-fastest in history, and would have qualified the Feature Mr Jess filly for four of the first six All Americans at 400 yards – 1959, ’60, ’61 and ’64.

August 18 – Blues Girl Too duels with Sir Runaway Dash before losing by a nose in their trial to the September 1 Golden State Derby (G1). A full brother to world champion Wave Carver and champion millionaire Ocean Runaway, Sir Runaway Dash is a First Down Dash colt out of 2005 broodmare of the year Runaway Wave, a mare by Runaway Winner.  Trained by Paul Jones and ridden by Cesar DeAlba, Sir Runaway Dash is owned by John and Donna Kirkham, and Bruce and Annette Kirkham Dickamore’s Runaway Ranch at Kamas, Utah.

2008

August 14 – Jerry Windham’s homebred Stolis Winner sets the :21.414 fastest qualifying time in his trial to the All American Futurity (G1). With champion jockey G.R. Carter Jr. in the irons for trainer Heath Taylor, Stolis Winner scored by 2 3/ 4 lengths over PB And Crackers.

2009

August 20 – Coming off her runner-up finish in the July 19 Rainbow Futurity (G1), Runnning Brook Gal scores by a length and a half in her trial to the All American Futurity (G1).

2010

August 11 –Frank “Scoop” Vessels III is killed in an airplane crash in Oregon. Accompanying the 58-year-old American Quarter Horse Hall of Famer and former AQHA President is his friend Sam Cannell, who also died in the crash.

August 19 – Making their third career starts, Cold Cash 123 and Mr Piloto both break their maidens in the trials to the All American Futurity (G1).

2011

August 18 – Breaking his maiden his third career race, Ochoa wins his trial to the All American Futurity (G1) over Lotta Love For Robyn, with both qualifying for the final.

August 29 – Former jockey Kenneth L. “Kenny” Chapman, 80, dies. A leading jockey in the 1950s and 1960s, Chapman rode champion Pokey Bar to win the 1961 All American Futurity and 1962 Los Alamitos Invitational Championship. In later years, Chapman worked at breeding and training farms, and was also a trainer.

If you witnessed or know of an historic event whose anniversary is next month, please contact the Journal’s Richard Chamberlain at richc@aqha.org.