NORMAN, OK—NOVEMBER 17, 2018—Mr Eye Opener, a grade 1 winner and sire of 2000 All American Futurity(G1) winner Eyesa Special, died today (Nov. 17), according to Dee and Betty Raper, who stood the stallion at their Belle Mere Farm, Ltd. near Norman, Oklahoma.

Betty Raper reported they found the 28-year-old stallion dead on Saturday. "He laid down and died peacefully," she said. "He will be buried beside Bully (Bullion), they both meant so much to us and made Belle Mere Farm."

Bred in Texas by Joe Kirk Fulton, Mr Eye Opener was purchased as yearling and campaigned by Dale and Billie Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Jack Brooks, he broke his maiden in his first start March 4, 1992 at Sunland Park, then returned two weeks later to win the Grade 1 West Texas Futurity, setting a new track record of :16.450 seconds for 300 yards.

The son of former leading sire Dash For Cash, from the *Beduino mare Bedawee, compiled a (15) 9-2-4 record and earned $202,978. He also won the Speedhorse Gold and Silver Cup Futurity, was second in the Rainbow Futurity(G1) and third in the Kansas Futurity(G1) at Ruidoso Downs.

Mr Eye Opener retired at the end of his 3-year-old year (1993) and begin his stallion career in 1994 at Belle Mere. Jim and Dorothy Smith of Dallas, Texas inherited the stallion in 2003 following the death of Jim's parents.

In 24 crops to reach racing age, Mr Eye Opener sired 941 winners(63%), 222 stakes horses (14%), 4 champions, earners of more than $28.1 million with average earnings per starter of nearly $19,000.

His top performers include two-time champion Eyesa Special SI 107 (6 wins, $1,394,911, All American Futurity-G1, Texas Classic Futurity-G1, etc.), champion Eye Opening Episode SI 113 (7 wins, $704,808, West Texas Futurity-G1, 2nd All American Futuritiy-G1, etc.), champion Silvered Eyes SI 107 (6 wins $454,781, Dash For Cash Futurity-G1, Rainbow Derby-G1, etc.), two-time champion Moongoose Jet Eye SI 106 (10 wins, $447,550, The Championship at Sunland Park-G1, Vessels Maturity-G1, etc.), Grade 1 winner Thewayyouwantmetoo SI 108 (4 wins, $327,953, Rainbow Futurity-G1, etc.), G3 winner Eyesa County Miss SI 104 (17 wins, $312,810, Juno's Request Stakes-G3, etc.), G3 winner Eye The Hawkeye SI 107 (13 wins, $257,363, Terrance Hill Stakes-G3 (three times), etc.), Cuz Eye Said SI 105 (8 wins, $253,880, Heritage Place Derby-G2, etc.), etc.

Mr Eye Opener has been equally successful as a broodmare sire with 107 stakes winners including champions Open Me A Corona SI 106 ($929,150-RG1), A Revenant SI 91 ($604,800, Rainbow Futurity-G1), Llano Teller SI 105 ($1,770,007, All American Derby-G1, etc.), Eye For Corona SI 99 ($1,100,121, Golden State Futurity-G1),etc.

Mr Eye Opener will be laid to rest at the Raper's property west of Purcell beside another great sire managed by the Raper's Bully Bullion. The champion Eastex is also buried there.