VIRGIL VENGEFUL GOES TO THE ALL AMERICAN
During the years that we raised Quarter Horse racehorses, we nominated a number of foals for the All American Futurity that is run on Labor Day each year in Ruidoso, New Mexico. For many years, it was the richest horserace in the world, with $1 million dollars going to the winner. Foals are nominated during their first year of life, with periodic payments until entry time. Foals can be nominated late, but the fees are very high. Virgil Vengeful is the only colt we made all the payments on, based on his first career race which he won in near record time. The All American series of races follows a grueling schedule for these youngsters that are, at most, 32 months old. Many, or I could say, most, come from sea level or near sea level. They have to run three 440 yard (1/4 mile) races within a 30-day period at an altitude of 1 mile. The first races of the series are elimination trials in which the first, second and third place horses advance to the time trials. The fastest ten times run during these next races progress to the final run on Labor Day. The next ten fastest times compete in the
66
Pat’s Horse Tales