Article by Michael Mahaffey—Photos by Russell Huffman

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Sunday Open 1D champions Kelly Yates and Fiesta Del Rey.

Barrel racers from across Texas and the southern plains states ventured to the Somervell County Expo Center in Glen Rose, Texas, Feb. 24-27 to test their skills on the barrel pattern at the 2011 Jurassic Classic. Always one of the most anticipated events of the winter barrel racing season in Texas, the Jurassic Classic lived up to its legend, drawing 1,647 entries and paying out more than $45,000 over four days of intense barrel racing action.

Kelly Yates and her 5-year-old chestnut gelding, Fiesta Del Rey (“Wizard”), proved to be the top team to grace the pattern in Glen Rose. Wizard, the son of Yates’ prized mare Firewater Fiesta and by Dual Rey, posted the only sub-15 second time at the event in Sunday’s Open race, turning three barrels and crossing the eye in a blistering 14.977 seconds to earn that round’s 1D title. The duo also scored a top-five finish in Saturday’s Open race with a run of 15.253 seconds, giving them a total payday of $1,312—tops of any 1D winner.

Lauren Schild and Truckle Bay Boy earned the 1D reserve title on Sunday with a run of 15.020, the second fastest time recorded at the Jurassic Classic. Reigning World Champion Sherry Cervi placed third with a 15.036 aboard MP Meter My Hay (“Stingray”), while Debra Cooper and Rapid Firing pass came home fourth with a time of 15.058. WPRA 2010 Rookie of the Year Lindsey Ewing rounded out the top five with a run of 15.098 seconds aboard Shakky.

Other Winners

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Friday Open 1D champions Cassidy Rabb and Famous Beda B Me.

Cassidy Rabb and 9-year-old Famous Beda B Me topped the standings in Friday’s Open race, as the pair rounded three barrels in just 15.158 seconds to top reserve champions Charlotte Cunningham and Bad N Fast by only 48 thousandths of a second. Abbey Garner rode Doc Sunny Fashion to a third place finish with a time of 15.405 seconds, followed by Courtney Ford and Docs Smart Lit Poco with a 15.504. Kelly Kennedy-Joseph and Renegade Bug came home fifth after scoring a time of 15.520 seconds.

Reigning BFA Futurity champions Jolene Montgomery and Aced My Bully were the class of the field in Saturday’s Open race, rounding the barrels in 15.185 seconds to earn the 1D title. Their time placed them just three thousandths of a second ahead of reserve winners Shannon O’Neal and Rare Native Drift. KMK Tip The Stripper and Fawn Aldrich came in third with a run of 15.242 seconds, while Aimee Olson guided Dash Ta Diamonds to a fourth place finish of 15.245 seconds. Yates and Wizard rounded out the top five with a 15.253.

AT-A-GLANCE:

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Aced My Bully carried Jolene Montgomery to the 1D win on Saturday.

Jurassic Classic
When: Feb. 24-27
Where: Somervell County Expo Center in Glen Rose, Texas
Entries: 1,647
Total Payout: $45,234
Winners: Thursday Jackpot: 1D) Saydea Canann/ WSR Honkeytonk Memorie/ 15.402/ $148; 2D) Mark Bugni/ BB French Moon Bug/ 15.934/ $133; 3D) Gin Berry/ Gee Two Ski/ 16.449/ $113; 4D) Elyse Busby/ Buffy/ 17.410/ $99.
Friday Open: 1D) Cassidy Rabb/ Famous Beda B Me/ 15.158/ $512; 2D) Kathy Lisenbee/ Perks Of Grace/ 15.679/ $427; 3D) Lacey Scott/ Homemade Biscuit/ 16.159/ $341; 4D) Tabitha Romero/ Skirt Chasin Al/ 16.659/ $256; 5D) Emily Shoemake/ Paris/ 17.181/ $171.
Saturday Open: 1D) Jolene Montgomery/ Aced My Bully/ 15.185/ $914; 2D) Virginia Young/ Swamp Angel/ 15.686/ $762; 3D) Casey Bruns/ War Lena Fletch/ 16.195/ $561; 3D) Shelly Bretey/ Shooter/ 16.195/ $561; 4D) Terri Tackitt/ Big Boy Jess/ 16.687/ $457; 5D) Nikki Boyer/ Renee In The Money/ 17.199/ $305.
Sunday Open: 1D) Kelly Yates/ Fiesta Del Rey/ 14.977/ $855; 2D) Kassie Mowry/ Streakin First Fame/ 15.484/ $713; 3D) Royena Clifton/ All By My Lonesome/ 15.977/ $570; 4D) Emily Marshall/ Duece/ 16485/ $428; 5D) Kayla Reid/ TK Pepper/ 16.992/ $285.

Michael Mahaffey is associate editor of Barrel Horse News. E-mail comments on this article to [email protected].

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