(Saturday, August 18, 2007) - The Texas Quarter Horse Association (TQHA) wanted to give non-futurity qualifiers an opportunity to win a stake. Trials were run on August 3 and owners for the claiming price of $7,500 were able to snag a runner from the trials and run them back this evening in the final with a total purse of $45,900.

Paul McGarry and Mike Amburn, of Houston, partners in T I Cattle Company, claimed Kipty Mac two weeks ago and were rewarded when the 2-year-old Texas-bred surged to the wire in tonight’s $45,900 TQHA Claiming Futurity final. Trainer Guy Hopkins had campaigned his sire, Kenny Mac as a 2-year-old and knew his son had potential. With Arturo Puga aboard, Kipty Mac closed powerfully down the center of the racetrack and drew clear at the wire. He completed the 350-yard dash in a final time of :18.158 and earned $18,360 for the victory.

“We loved being a part of this, said Amburn. “Everybody had the same chance to claim a horse out of the trials. Guy picked him out and we are thrilled to have won the final. We claimed him for $7,500 and earned $18,000 tonight; pretty good two weeks!”

The owners gave special credit to their rider and trainer.

“Arturo Puga is the best young rider here, added McGarry. “This was the first time he had been on him and gave him a great ride. Guy and his brother Jay are as good as they come. They know horses; they are good horsemen and great people.”

Sent off as the second betting choice, Kipty Mac paid $6.40 for the win. El Aguacate ran second and Must Be Royal, the fastest qualifier in trials, ran third. Im Jess Smashed, Wicked Bottoms Up, Blue Tease, Pretty Boys Sage, Caliente Music, Runaway Promise and Serene Sis completed the order of finish.

Sin Tacha Perry Wins the $24,000 TQHA Sires’ Cup

Sin Tacha Perry, a 4-year-old filly trained by Janet Van Bebber captured the $24,000 TQHA Sires’ Cup. Owned by Van Bebber and Jerry Gaston, Sin Tacha Perry is a sister of 2002 Co-AQHA World Champion, Streakin Sin Tacha. Alfonso Lujan rode the bay filly to victory, crossing the wire of the the 400-yard stakes in :20.020.

“I get along with her very well,” said Lujan. “She always runs big for me. Janet did a great job getting her ready for the race.”

“She’s a three-quarter sister to Streakin Sin Tacha and this was the race that I retired Streakin Sin Tacha, so I am proud she could win tonight. We lost the mare, Sin Tacha last year, but it means a lot to me that she produced two stakes winners.”

Wings of La Jolla ran second under Nickey Laws.

“I was proud of him,” said trainer Beverly McNeely. “This was a tough field.”

Sin Tacha Perry ($5.60) ran as an entry with El Man and Ali the Great and registered a 95 Speed Index in tonight’s victory.