Ridden by Roman Cruz, R Cowgirl wins the $15,728 Don Drake Memorial Stakes by 1 1/2-lengths on Sunday at Will Rogers Downs.

© Jack Coady Photography

CLAREMORE, OK–NOVEMBER 10, 2024–R Cowgirl scores her third stakes victory from four starts this season in the $15,728 Don Drake Memorial Stakes at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday.

Regular rider Roman Cruz was aboard R Cowgirl for her 1 1/2-length victory in the 350-yard stakes race. The daughter of leading sire of ApHC stakes wins Flying Cowboy 123 convincingly gained momentum and crossed the wire in 17.671 seconds, clocking a 93 speed index. The heavy favorite’s winning effort paid $3.20 on a $2.00 wager.

Wired Red Head, piloted by Edwin Escobedo, was second best, crossing the wire a half-length ahead of Storms Livewire and jockey Javier Hernandez-Gallardo, who made a steady drive for show.

The winning connections of R Cowgirl accept the $15,728 Don Drake Memorial Stakes trophy at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday. © Jack Coady Photography

R Cowgirl set an Appaloosa 330-yard world track record in her last out at Will Rogers Downs with a second-place finish in 16.67 seconds. It was only one of two starts in her career where she didn’t win the race, but she still managed to set a record.

The Appaloosa superstar has won every stakes race she has entered in her career, accumulating a total of six stakes victories, including the Masterpiece Derby and Victoria Ennis Memorial this year and the Speedhorse Graham P&A Futurity [G1], Speedhorse Graham P&A Stakes and the Speedhorse P&A Futurity [G3] from her freshman campaign.

R Cowgirl was named Appaloosa Horse of the Year, Supreme Champion Two-Year-Old, and Champion Two-Year-Old Filly in 2023 and seems to be on her way to more champion titles for 2024.

Leading trainer Dee Keener saddled R Cowgirl for owner-breeder Jeff Adams. The three-year-old filly was bred in Oklahoma out of Paint This Kitty by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Matt Whitekiller trains runner-up wired Red Head. The three-year-old daughter of leading APHA sire CRM Livewire has lit the board 11 of 19 starts with three wins and $85,877 in the bank.

Taylor Van Bebber, John Herrick, and Connie Young own and bred the stakes winner in Oklahoma out of Dancing Red Head by Red Storm Cat.

CRM Livewire is also the sire of third-placed finisher Storms Livewire. The three-time winner has earned $60,115 for owner Edith Gutierrez Velasco. Darling Farms bred the Michelle Hurdle trained gelding in Oklahoma out of Storm’s Promise by Seattle Fitz.

Nota Pocahontas, Southern Swagger, Ancestry, Jimmie Ray, Wf Wirememoney, and Jh Wildcat complete the order of finish.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Do you want more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.