by Derrick Mann

Posted May 16, 2002

The always entertaining and competitive Derby Day Classic pulled off another successful show this year. Held during the weekend of the Kentucky Derby, the Derby Day Classic always draws a good crowd and talented horses. Over 500 horses thrilled spectators during the two day show while veteran photographer John Alexander preserved the winning moments on film.

The finale of the show was an impressive one as Dick Peebles directed Olympic Black Star to the stake class win. The stake class boasted seven talented entries, but in the end only one could make the victory pass. Owners Doug and Tana Quire were very pleased with the superb performance of their four-year-old stallion as he took the stake win. Reserve honors went to Scott Beaty and Papa Joe Dimaggio after they gave an outstanding showing for owner Rhea Ellen Webb.

Kicking off the Friday evening session of the show was the Juvenile Country Pleasure 17 & Under class. Natasha Stoupes and Taking Care Of Cash took first honors in the class. Sandra Shannon is the owner of the talented horse. Eric Howard and Little Man Tate were the class reserve winners. Flora Lynn Howard owns Little Man Tate.

The Equitation class was small on entries but made up for it with talent. Emma Jones showed the judge she had what it took to be Derby Day’s Equitation champion after giving a flawless performance in the class.

Next up was the Amateur Mares and Geldings class. Side Arm was armed to win with owner G. Baird Lacer in the irons. Marks Pushing Lady pushed aside the remaining competition to take the second place award with LaMar DePoyster riding.

Skywatch’s Voo Doo and Kevin Lutrell worked their magic to win the Three-Year-Old Mares and Geldings class. Skywatch’s Voo Doo and Lutrell brought home the blue for owner Shirley Judd. Ryan’s Fable and Kemp Martin made the reserve ride for owner Buford Martin.

The team of Millennium's Silver Dollar and Todd Smith shined in the Two-Year-Old Stallions class. Millennium's Silver Dollar won over the judge as well as the crowd as he won the class for owners Barry and Karen White. Cash’s Top Money and David Smith were second for owner Kenny Quinn.

Little Man Tate and Sam Howard put on quite a show to win the Amateur Country Pleasure class. Flora Lynn Howard owns the winning entry. Sandra Shannon owned and directed the red ribbon winner, Taking Care Of Cash.

Topping the Open Specialty was the team of Nightwatch and Kevin Lutrell. This team also won the Open Specialty at the KWHA Ladies Auxiliary show. Shirley Judd is the owner of the successful show horse. Generating Heat generated the second place win with Allen McQuery in the irons. Mr. and Mrs. James Reed are the owners.

The Plantation Two-Year-Old blue ribbon was awarded to Dangerous Elle and Lori Fields. The entry is owned by Hard Luck Stables. Mi Shadow Generator and Jennifer Hankins were reserve for owner Ronnie Mann.

That’s The Bottom Line was the top choice for the judge in the Juvenile 17 & Under class. Dalia Smith guided That’s The Bottom Line to the win for owner Penny Green. The second place award went to Premier Doc and Beth Carol Thomas for JT and Patricia Broaddus.

The first place winner and class favorite in the Two-Year-Old Mares and Geldings was Deion’s First And Favorite and Scot Beaty. Monty Veazey is the proud owner. Lady Hysteria and Dick Peebles were reserve for owners Doug and Tana Quire.

The blue ribbon in the Amateur 15.2 and Under was awarded to Wedding Bell Blues and C.L. Baird. Pusher’s Reflector and Joe Gill were awarded second for owners Gill and Rogers.

Pushing the competition out of their way in the Amateur Four-Year-Old class was no problem for Brent Jones and Pushin Miss Genny as they won the class blue. Pushin Miss Genny is owned by the Edward Jones Family. Raging Dreams and Chad Ellis brought home the second place tie for Ellis Farms.

Gabriel’s Glory and owner Glenda Kirkland gave their best effort to win the Amateur Lite-Shod Plantation Specialty class and it paid off. Gabriel’s Glory and Kirkland won the first place award with Son Of Dude and George Quinley winning the reserve.

The KSOA Two-Year-Old class was a definite crowd pleaser. Danny Hughes rode the winning entry, Wicked's Pushin Bandit, for owners Gordon, Lamar, and DePoyster. Charge It and Donald Stamper were the judge’s second place choice for owner Damon Dunnaway.

The Ladies Amateur class boasted several fine entries, but only one of them could leave with the blue. That honor went to Clutch’ Custom Cut and Kim Butler for owner Kermit Tyree. Marlon Brando gave a fine performance with Kim Smith to take the class reserve.

Red Satin Doll and Kris Hockensmith were Derby Day’s Amateur Plantation Specialty winners for owner Terry and Anne Sams. Patterns Gen and Denzil Allen were second for Renee Dauer.

Mack My Heart and Carrol Doyle were the judge’s choice to fill the winning slot in the Aged Mares and Geldings class. Jim and Barbara Finch are the owners. Doug Stephens rode Silver’s Boogie Woman to the reserve for Stephens and Clark.

Jazz Jamboree and Kevin Lutrell jazzed up the Three-Year-Old Stallions class. The talented team won first place honors for an elated Doug Potter. Black Memphis and Kevin Bailey achieved reserve honors in the class for owner Bruce Huffman.

David Cook and Delightful Romeo delighted spectators in the Amateur Stallions Specialty class. Cook Stables owns the winning horse. Logan Lunsford and Generator’s Thunderbolt rode to the second place award.

The competitive Groom’s Class wrapped up the first night of the show. Flash The Money and Kevin Quinn were the class champions. David Smith owns the entry. Rave’s Lightfoot Special and Gary Haffey were reserve for McQuerry Stables.

Saturday evening competition began after the conclusion of the Kentucky Derby with the Plantation Juvenile 17 & Under class. The class was topped by Pattern’s Gen and Jessica Smoot. Pattern’s Gen is owned by Renne Dauer. Pride’s All Right and Brittany Shoupes made the call to reserve honors for owner Roger Shoupes.

The KSOA Three-Year-Old class was brimming with talent. Wicked’s Gold Lady received the first place award in the class. Bill Bailey directed her fine performance for owners Choate and Williamson. Rave A Lot and Bob McQuerry were reserve for owners Joe and Joann Dietz.

The KSOA Yearling Halter class gave a promising glimpse of the future. Lady Trouble was led to the blue ribbon by Steve Calhoun for Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Abrams. Charge My Copy was the red ribbon winner with Jamie Lee Derickson at lead for Hands On Horses.

Thirteen entries responded to the call for the KWHA Ladies Auxiliary. Taking first place honors was the team of Julius Kessler and Courtney Griffith. Nightwatch and Melanie Luttrell were reserve.

The Show Pleasure Three & Four-Year-Olds were next on the schedule. Twilight's Shadow Dancer walked into the first place slot with Doug Stephens. Pence and Rayburn are the owners. Silver’s Avalanche and Todd Smith took the reserve award for Bob and Curtice McCloy.

Pushover’s Primetime and Andrew Lasure dominated the Juvenile 11 & Under class. Lasure owns the entry. Third Rate Romance and Tyler Young were next in line for class honors for John Cox Farm.

The Walking Yearling class showed plenty of talent. Kodachromes Annie Oakley won over the judge for the first place decision. Larry Wood was at lead for owner Susan Wood. Sunbeam’s Ivory Heat and Jamie Derickson were called to receive the second place tie for Van Bert Farms.

Ben Dover made the victory pass in the Novice Horse Amateur with Karen Rector at the reins. Hendrick and Rector are the owners of Ben Dover. Billy Ford owns and rode the reserve winner, Third Generation.

I’m A Pushover For Cash was no pushover in the Amateur Three-Year-Old class as Chad Bush directed the entry to the class victory. Chad and Melody Bush own I’m A Pushover For Cash. Atlanta Ritz was reserve with Brent Jones for owner Rick Bartholomew.

Poncho Via took the win in the Plantation Four-Year-Old Specialty. Owner Greta Potter guided Poncho Via to the win.

Call Me Cash and Laura Comley were called to receive the win in the Juvenile 12-17 class. Marlon Brando and Hannah Smith made the reserve call.

Midnight At The Ritz came all the way from Shelbyville, Tennessee to win the 15.2 and Under class. Dick Peebles was the rider in the victorious performance for William and Sandra Johnson. Generator’s Miss Joy generated the red ribbon with Jamie Woosley for owner Donald Hendrick.

White On Whites JFK caught the judge’s and crowd’s attention with his talent and color in the Three-Year-Old Plantation class with John Jackson up. The solid white entry is owned by Terry and Anne Sams. Copy’s Masterpiece Man gave a ribbon worthy performance as he took the reserve honors with Ray Burton. Burton and Simpson own the entry.

John FK’s Pusher and Dick Peebles pushed aside the competition in the Four-Year-Old Open. The talented team made the winning ride for William and Sandra Johnson. Designs By Walker and Danny Hughes were awarded second place for Howard Estrich.

The Walking Pony Youth 17 & Under class found Purples Masterpiece and Beth Carol Thomas making the victory ride after their win. Kim and James Woods own the entry. Another delightful performance in the class was that of Delightful George and Delia Smith as they took the reserve award for Denzil Allen.

Major Player and Courtney Griffith were unbeatable in the Show Pleasure Specialty. The superb team brought home the blue for the James Griffith Family. Elegance Pride and Kathy Owen gave a good showing for reserve honors in the class.

Belle Street Blues and Kenny Smith were awarded the Amateur Walking Stake championship at Derby Day. Buzzard View Stables owns the talented horse. Eb’s Special and Billy Ball were reserve in the class.

Sunfire’s Steel Spirit gave a blue ribbon performance and was appropriately awarded for it in the Amateur Two-Year-Old class. Amanda Chaffin was the talented rider for the Allen Chaffin Family. Gen Avalanche and Brent Jones brought home the reserve for Rick Bartholomew.

The Amateur Owned and Trained Specialty class was won by the team of Kenny Smith and The Final Design. Lisa Newsom and Turbo’s Slo Gen made the call for reserve honors.

The Plantation Pleasure Stake honors were given to the team of Flashin Cash and John Jackson. Dave and Sheila Alvis own Flashin Cash. Pride’s All Right and Britteny Shoupes took the second award in the class for the Roger Shoupes family.