Bologna, June 24, 2021 - During the first section of the Open preliminary round of the
2021 6666 National Reining Horse Association Derby presented by Markel, 151 entries stopped, slid and circled for a chance in the finals.
Those runs, combined with the 126 entries in Thursday’s section two, pushed the Open Derby up more than entries from 2020.
Contestants in the prelim round are competing for a spot in the clean-slate finals.
The current high scores across the divisions of the Open preliminaries are:
- Level 4 – Andrea Fappani & Starjac Vintage (A Sparkling Vintage x Starjac Miss) – 223
- Level 3 – Justin Mathison & Shes Reddy On Line (Shine On Line x Guns R Reddy) – 222.5
- Levels 2 & 1 – Franky Vazquez & Whizin Off With Guns (Tinker With Guns x Whizin Off Sparks) – 217
Something new 'under the sun'
New to the Derby this year is a class especially for 4-year-olds, and that, combined with the Four Sixes Ranch guaranteed champion payout, is likely responsible for the increase in entry numbers. Currently leading the Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes and the GlycoGuard Novice Horse Open Derby, which, along with the Prime Time, will be awarded following the second section of the preliminary round on Thursday, are:
- GlycoGuard Novice Horse Open Derby – Craig Schmersal & Xtra Vintagemahogany (A Sparkling Vintage x Custom Mahogany) – 219
- Tamarack Ranch Open Stakes – Casey Deary & Down Right Amazing (Gunner x Shesouttayourleague) – 220.5; Franco Bertolani & Blueyedgirl (Gunners Tinseltown x Shining Survivor) – 220.5; Craig Schmersal & Xtra Kiss Me Again (Boom Shernic x SS Kiss Me Kate) – 220.5
- Prime Time – Shawn Flarida & Guns And Dynamite (Gunners Special Nite x Chic Olena Starbuck) – 220
Open preliminaries continue Thursday. The top 30 in the Open Levels 4-1 will advance to the clean-slate finals on Saturday. The draw for the finals will be decided during the Virtual Platinum Performance Open Draw Party on Friday morning.
For complete results and other information,
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Source: Nrha press release