Paint
Paint racing superstar Got Country Grip did it again, winning his 16th consecutive lifetime race to tie the North American record for consecutive wins.
The 5-year-old Solid Paint-Bred gelding tied the record in his first start of 2008 during a $16,480 allowance race at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, with a posted time of 17.70 seconds. Got Country Grip’s record is now tied with a few of the most illustrious names in Thoroughbred racing—Citation, Cigar, Mister Frisky and Hallowed Dreams—for the most consecutive wins by any racing breed in North America.
“We are thrilled for this victory. The recognition Got Country Grip has brought to Paint racing is phenomenal, both for Grip and the breed,” said APHA Director of Racing Karen Utecht. “We look forward to watching Grip continue to raise the bar in the racing industry. Yes, Paints race!”
The gelding sired by Country Quick Dash and out of Got A Grip showed his determination in proving his name is worthy of being held in the company of the greats as he ran for a three-quarters of a length win over Bust N Moves, despite stumbling out of the gate. Boy Of Summer followed in third-place, another neck behind. The race hosted a field of stakes winners and running champions. Got Country Grip, Bust N Moves Boy Of Summer and Calista Corona are APHA Running Champions and Got Country Grip, Boy Of Summer and Calista Corona are World Racing Champions.
“This race could easily be one of the greatest races in history for both Paints and all racing breeds,” said APHA’s President Carl Thurow. “We are honored to be able to say that a Paint Horse is setting a new standard of excellence in a sport so rich with history. Got Country Grip is now one of the greatest racehorses of all time.”
Owned by Jimmy Maddux of Weatherford, Texas, Got Country Grip has been in the same company since his first start in 2005. The three-time APHA Running Champion, Got Country Grip is trained by Brandon Parum and has been ridden in all 16 races by G.R. Carter, Jr. The win earned Got Country Grip an additional $10,078 to increase the highest money-earning Paint racehorse’s total lifetime earnings to $257,578.
Now that the group has tied the record, they have the their sights set on more races to hopefully bring more wins. The group is pointing toward the $25,000 Mr. Lewie Memorial Handicap on April 19, then onto the $25,000 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Stakes on May 24. Both races will be held at Remington Park.
Other horses completing the field included Jess Streakin (ApHC), Calista Corona, Braggin Rights (ApHC), Check This Treat and Wheels Quick Flash.
More about Paint Horse racing
Horse racing has long been one of America’s favorite spectator sports. With the recent growth of the Paint Horse breed, it’s no wonder that Paints have become one of the hottest tickets in the horse racing industry.
Since 1966, when APHA officially recognized the sport, Paint racing has made major strides forward. In that inaugural year, 17 starters ran for $1,290 in just two states—Texas and Oklahoma. In 2007, more than 600 starters competed in more than 700 APHA-recognized races for record purses totaling more than $5 million.
A total of 18 states now feature Paint racing, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Paint Horses also race in Canada.
“Paint Racing continues to be an opportunity for breeders, owners and trainers to take a serious look at,” said APHA Executive Director Lex Smurthwaite. “The amount of purse money available and the average earning per Paint starter is creating new interest in the Paint racing industry.”
For more information on Paint Horse racing, contact APHA’s racing department at (817) 222-6444, email racing@apha.com, or visit paintracing.com.
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