The annual parimutuel racing weekends returned to the Oneida County Fairgrounds on Saturday, and featured a full slate of races, as well as an Indian Relay demonstration that was a verified crowd-pleaser.  

For two of the last three years, weather has wreaked unexpected havoc on the course, with downpours leading to unsafe racing conditions and canceled races.  This year, the Board decided that safe was better than sorry and scheduled for three weekends of races, with this being the first.  While the races were all run, it was a close call as rain indeed did descend on the valley Friday night, and threatened throughout the afternoon on Saturday. 

In Saturday’s first race, a quarter horse maiden, Lm Concords Secret, ridden by Oscar Villa and owned by Dorian Montero came in first, followed by Jj Easter Bug owned by Geln and Jill Jamison and Gw Dusty Lane, owned by Gil Wright.

In the second race, a mixed paint and appaloosa futurity trial, Bg Winning Legacy ridden by Raphael Romero and owned by Bryan Grant took the first spot, followed by C&T Horses Ivory Moon, and Kent and Judy Taylor’s Kj Royal Blue.

The third race was also a mixed paint and appaloosa futurity trial, and saw Bg Vroom Vroom Broom ridden by Raphael Romero and owned by Bryan Grant come in first.  Kj With Honors owned by Kent and Judy Taylor, and Gw Smokin Ivory owned by Gil Wright followed.

In the fourth race, a quarter horse futurity trial, Bittons Knud Romantz ridden by Never T. Marin and owned by Gordon Knudson came in first, followed by Efrain Acosta’s Paint the City and Mckinlee Kellett’s Hidden Version.

The fifth race, also a quarter horse futurity trial, was won by Be Capricho ridden by Jose Espinoza and owned by Benedito Estrada.  Sheknowsshesmokn owned by Edward Jamison took second, followed by Prize Winning Chick owned by Five Livestock Company.

The sixth race, also a quarter horse futurity, was won by Rj Spicer ridden by Never Marin and owned by Jose Rico.  Second went to Sheknowsshepunky owned by Edward Jamison, followed by Jv Kat Dancer owned by Tony Warburton and Brittani Richins.

The seventh race, a thoroughbred Allowance, was won by Thegreatgeneration ridden by Pedro Ortiz and owned by Gloria Ortiz.  Second went to Maintainance Matt owned by Richard Semma, followed by Our Honey Bunny, owned by Bruce Hillman.

The Indian Relay race was held immediately after, and featured riders exchanging their positions with each other while in motion.  Essentially, one rider jumps off the horse while another one leaps on, trying to make the exchange as fast and seamless as possible.  The event is quick and exciting and those in attendance hope for more in the future.

Sunday’s races, which went forward despite some moisture over the previous evening, began with a quarter horse maiden, which was won by Gw Captain Kellee ridden by Jeremias Flores and owned by Gil Wright.  Bnb Docs Highestcard, owned by Benedito Estrada, took second, followed by Racyboomboom owned by Kim Paulsen.

The second race, a quarter horse derby trial, saw Chianti owned by Randy Maldonado take first, and Lil Miss Coronado owned by W3 Farms and Larry Ward take second.

The third race, also a quarter horse derby trial, was won by Makin Chicks Move ridden by Oscar Villa and owned by Five Livestock Company, followed by Ricardo Castillo and Rainee Browning’s Dr. B, and Agapo Martinez’s MzPaquita.

The fourth race, another quarter horse derby trial, was won by Bnb Hasta La Luna ridden by Jose Espinoza and owned by Rainee Browning , followed by Maria Baltodano’s Bw Just a Ruger and Five Livestock’s Separate Kisses.

The fifth race, a quarter horse allowance, was won by Sketchy Politics, ridden by Jose Espinoza and owned by Ricardo Castillo and Rainee Browning.  Second went to Javier Duarte’s Jesses Flys and third to NDN Running Stables’ Legendary Divo.

The final quarter horse allowance went to Leap Day, owned by Tyrrill Tsosie and ridden by Jesus Flores.  Second went to Tyrrill Tsosie’s Contejas.

Sponsors for the event included Hansen Motors, Mountain Valley Realty, Hotel Malad, CJ’s Travel Stop, ATC Communications, Hess NAPA, Northwestern Mutual, Tooke and Associates, Keyhole Ranch, IFA, Bamma Wamma’s, Ireland Bank, Albert’s Service, Hess Pumice, Hess Lumber, Oneida County Fairboard, J Peak Propane, Thomas Electric, Hess Building Contractors, Semrad Service and Repair, Valley Implement, Mountain States Insurance Group, KJ’s Superstores, Oneida County Search and Rescue, Oneida County Sheriff’s Department, Ron Keller Tires, OK/J7 Ranch and Trucking, U.S. Bank, Redd Roofing, Up the Creek, Oneida Family Dental, Nell J. Redfield Memorial, Farm Bureau Kevin Degn, Malad Gun Club, Thomas Market, Kent’s Market, Malad Plumbing, Nimer Repair, Hess Truck Ag Auto, Ward Feed and Seed, Oneida Soil and Water Conservation, Chat N Chew, Rupp’s Trucking and Excavating, Mountain Valley Masonry, Vickers, Boyd Varney Family, Oneida County EMTs, Oneida County Employees, Malad Volunteer Fire Department, Blue Rock Enterprises.

Blankets for the races were sponsored by Oneida County Fairboard, Malad Gun Club, Boyd Varney Family, KJs, Silver Spur Insurance, U.S. Bank Malad, 3 R’s Country Tires, Central Service, Thomas Market, and Malad Plumbing.

The Leading Jockey and Leading Trainer Buckles were sponsored by the Oneida County Fairboard.   

The Fairboard can breathe a momentary sigh of relief now that one set of qualifying races is officially in the books, and get ready for the next two weekends of racing action leading up to the start of the Oneida County Fair.  The weather this year has proven to be anything but predictable, however, the best guess right now from the national services is that next weekend should be relatively clear and dry.