Spit Curl Diva
4-Year-Old Mare
(Spit Curl Jess - Some Kinda Diva by Some Dasher)
Qualified by winning the Refrigerator Handicap
Lifetime Record: 29-16-8-2, $695,938 2010 Record: 9-8-0-1, $242,383
When it comes to achievements in 2010, the talented mare Spit Curl Diva does not play a back role to any horse in the nation. The daughter of Spit Curl Jess is number one in the country in stakes wins this year with six, but that’s only the beginning of her list of accomplishments. In 2010, she’s tied for first in the nation in wins with eight; first in the nation in grades stakes wins with five; first in the nation in earnings by an aged mare with $242,383; first in the nation in stakes wins at different tracks with five; and tied for first in the nation in track records with four. Spit Curl Diva has raced at Remington Park, Oklahoma, Arapahoe, Colorado, Prairie Meadows, Iowa, Lone Park, Texas, and Fair Grounds, Louisiana.
A victory in the $750,000 Champion of Champions in California would give her a year-long resume that would surely put her on the lead to become the first aged mare to be named World Champion since Down With Debt in 1994. Spit Curl Diva earned her berth to the Champion of Champions when she upset Stolis Winner’s bid to then become Quarter Horse racing’s all-time leading earner when she edged him by a head in a three-way photo in the Grade 1, $100,000 Refrigerator Handicap at Lone Star Park. Spit Curl Diva jumped out to the lead In that 440-yard race, covering the distance in :21.36.
Owned by Lepic and Morgan, Spit Curl Diva is trained locally by Dan Francisco and ridden by David Brown. Brown's wife, Jody, previously trained the mare. Spit Curl Diva was bred in Oklahoma by Little Deer Creek QH.
Spit Curl Diva enjoyed a dominant stay at Remington Park earlier this year, scoring four wins in a row while breaking a track record in three straight races. Spit Curl Diva won a $31,000 allowance feature and posted a new track record at 250 yards to record her third new track record in a row, all at different distances. During her time in Oklahoma, Spit Curl Diva never finished worse than third in 11 starts at Remington Park. Other track records that she posted at Remington Park included the 350-yard mark set in the Decketta Handicap and the 300-yard record set over the slop in the Bob Moore Stakes on April 17. While her 350 yard mark has since been broken, she’s still the track record holder at 250 and 300 yards.
In Arapahoe Park this year, Spit Curl Diva took command shortly after leaving the gate and was driving at the wire to win by one length. Under jockey David Brown she completed the course in :19.380 seconds. Her win at the Colorado track set her up perfectly for the $125,000 Merial Distaff Challenge Championship at the Fair Grounds. On the big stage, Spit Curl Diva dominated. She ran the 400 yards in :19.767 to score her 16th victory in 29 starts, and her eighth win in nine starts this year.
“In the final strides she was getting a little tired, but she gave me her all and got it done,” said her jockey. “I think the sand in this track just got her a little tired.”
“I’m really looking forward to (the Champion of Champions),” Brown continued. “You only get to ride a horse like this once in your lifetime. I think this race sets her up perfectly for the Champion of Champions.”
“She’s now won at five different tracks in five different states at five different distances,” Lepic said. “It’s been an unbelievable year for her.”
In the Refrigerator, Spit Curl Diva beat male rivals including Quarter Horse racing’s all-time leading money winner Stolis Winner.
“She is probably my first experience with a true racehorse,” trainer Jody Brown said. “She loves it. It doesn't seem to matter where we go, what we do. She's strong.”
Spit Curl Diva is the daughter of Spit Curl Jess, who is the only son of Mr Jess Perry with a winner of more than $695,000 in his first crop. Spit Curl Diva’s top career victories also include the Grade 1 Speedhorse Gold and Silver Cup Futurity and the Grade 2 Choctaw Blue Ribbon Futurity.
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