Saturday afternoon feature class action opened with twenty-four entries all vying to win the $15,000 Futures Prix 1.30m. The tracks were carefully designed by Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky, and featured fourteen efforts and several trying elements which tested the horse-and-riders athletic ability alike.
The Futures Prix showcases riders or horses who are moving up to the higher levels of competition and aids in developing confidence and experience in a similar atmosphere to that of a WEC Grand Prix. Ten of the twenty-four Futures Prix entries managed clear first rounds, which directly advanced them into the jump-off. Five led with clear rounds in the jump-off but time was the ultimate determining factor to win the class.
Kevin McCarthy and Keely O’Hara’s Honey Girl were in top form. Seeming to be in perfect synchrony, the pair flew to the top of the leaderboard with a two-second advantage, ultimately winning the $15,000 Futures Prix 1.30m.
Honey Girl (Zirocco Blue VDL x Lirena) is a newer ride for McCarthy. Kevin speaks highly of the up-and-coming mare. “We just got this mare around Christmas time and she surely is showing that she will have a big bright future ahead.”
Grand Prix rider, McCarthy and the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare turned out times of 74.599 seconds in the first round and 35.895 seconds in the jump-off to secure his second Futures Prix win aboard the quick and scopey mare.
Keely O’Hara, owner, joined in to chat about Honey Girl. “I picked her out and it was love at first sight. I sent Kevin the videos and he liked her too. She tries so hard to please and never wants to be in trouble. These two (Honey Girl and rider Kevin McCarthy) have a weird connection.. They get along great with each other and she gives her everything for him.”
McCarthy also captured Sunday’s $15,000 Jumper Stake win aboard Grand Prix winning horse Catch a Star HSS (Sheraton x Tolinda). The pair has won countless feature classes and is always turning up the heat in WEC’s Sanctuary arena.
$15,000 WEC Futures Prix Results:
- Honey Girl, Kevin McCarthy: 0 | 0 | 35.895
- Conquest, Devin M. Milan: 0 | 0 | 37.855
- CF Lucky Blue, Kelsey Mogel: 0 | 0 | 39.405
- Clintadel Curieres Z, Sara Ring: 0 | 0 | 40.470
- Montendro 5, Owen Gajoch: 0 | 0 | 40.883
- Ismael, Ashley Stumm: 0 | 4 | 36.382
- Clinton, Emma Lena M. Green: 0 | 4 | 36.989
- Sleipnir Z, Karen McFarland: 0 | 4 | 41.325
- Quincidence, Melina Schwaab: 0 | 8 | 41.150
- Iconic, Lani E. Hutchison: 0 | EL