Wl You Aint No Cowboy, ridden by Oscar Andrade, Jr., gets the victory in the $35,000 Karen Utecht Memorial Stakes at Lone Star Park on Saturday.

© Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–OCTOBER 12, 2024–Wl You Aint No Cowboy and Wire Tap battled it out for the win on Saturday in the $35,000 Karen Utecht Memorial Stakes at Lone Star Park.

While Wire Tap crossed the wire first, he was disqualified to tenth after bearing out during the stretch, which caused interference with Kas Pecosa, who came in last. The disqualification elevated Wl You Aint No Cowboy into first place, followed by the favorite Livewires Turnpike in second and Vp Gravel Pit Dancer in third.

After heavy favorite Livewires Turnpike was pinballed mid-stretch, he got second under the guidance of jockey Francisco Calderon 1 1/2-lengths behind Wl You Aint No Cowboy. Vp Gravel Pit Dancer and Adrian Morales followed in close behind for a photo finish by a nose.

Jockey Oscar Andrade Jr was aboard Wl You Aint No Cowboy for the 350-yard run. The son of #2 APHA leading sire Painted Turnpike crossed the wire in 17.638 seconds against an eight mph headwind, clocking a 95-speed index. The longshot paid $30.40 on 14-1 odds.

Trainer Zackary Rios saddled Wl You Aint No Cowboy for owners Wade and Susan Leggett. The four-year-old gelding has lit the board 16 of 23 starts with four wins. Two of his wins were in stakes competition this year, including the Gillespie Maturity [G3] in July, followed by a second-place finish in the Colors of the Wind P&A Maturity in August.

The winning connections of Wl You Aint No Cowboy accept the $35,000 Karen Utecht Memorial Stakes trophy at Lone Star Park on Saturday. © Dustin Orona Photography

The $15,200 payday from the Karen Utecht Memorial Stakes victory increased Wl You Aint No Cowboy's lifetime earnings to $83,144. One of his top accolades is the #1 Honor Roll Gelding in 2023.

Charles Leggett bred Wl You Aint No Cowboy in Oklahoma out of the Texas Hero mare Texas Fourwinds.

Leading APHA trainer Matt Whitekiller saddled APHA world champion Livewires Turnpike for owner Bryan Hawk. The eight-time stakes winner has 12 lit the board, 16 of 19 starts with 12 wins and $238,022 in the bank. The four-year-old gelding earned five APHA champion titles in 2022 and 2023.

Nolan Pevehouse bred Livewires Turnpike in Oklahoma. The son of the #1 leading APHA sire, Crm Livewire, is out of Wagon On Turnpike by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Major longshot Vp Gravel Pit Dancer broke her maiden in a July Allowance race at Retama Park. This year, she was also a finalist in the Gillespie Maturity [G3] and Colors of the Winds P&A Maturity. Owned and trained by Ricardo Vallejo, the daughter of Vp Smokey Wire has $14,470 in earnings from ten starts. Francisco Villarreal bred the three-year-old filly in Texas out of Country Danger by Country Quick Dash.

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About Lone Star Park
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is a major league sports entertainment attraction that features two exciting racing seasons annually. Over 700,000 guests visit our beautiful facility each year, which features a seven-level glass-enclosed Grandstand, highlighted by our 1,200-seat Silks Dining Room and 48 luxurious Penthouse Suites, all overlooking the newest race track in Texas. Situated next to our Grandstand is the 36,000-square-foot world-class Las Vegas-style racebook and simulcast facility, Bar & Book, which features wagering on horse racing from around the world seven days a week year.

The 2024 Fall Meeting of Champions, featuring American Quarter Horses, runs September 6 through November 16, with live racing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. (CT); the first post is at 6:05 p.m. Breeders' Cup Saturday, November 5. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., and the first live race is at 6:05 p.m.