Kaye said about the mare. Livewire is his dam’s fi rst foal, though she is in foal to Cartel Success again for a 2013 sibling. Though he was successful as a lightly raced 2-year-old, Livewire really came into his own this year, much like his dam did at the same age, Matt says. “She herself didn’t run a lot as a 2-year-old, but she really developed more as a 3-year-old,” Matt said. “He’s just now kind of growing into himself. He’s really matured. He’s still not real big, but he’s put on a lot of mass, it seems, after the Speed- horse Derby mid-year.” Designed as an incen-
tive for 3-year-old Paint and Appaloosa racehorses to continue their careers, the Masterpiece Chal- lenge will feature an even larger purse in 2013, thanks to a $10,000 sponsorship from Paint
Right: Callie R. Mays- bury—CRM Livewire’s namesake, pictured with Kaye—was on hand to celebrate the stallion’s win and her birthday.
Horse Racing. A member of the APHA Racing Committee, Dan says he hopes the Masterpiece Challenge will continue to grow. “I hope it turns into what we meant for it to be: a great race for 3-year-olds that have a chance to show their talents,” Dan said. “It’s like the Champion of Champions for the Quarter Horses. We were tickled to get to win the fi rst one and make history—that’s worth a lot more than money sometimes.” As for Livewire, the future looks bright. With 2012 earnings of nearly $73,000, the
14 JANUARY 2013 PAINT HORSE RACING
5. BP Cartels Paint
6. Rawhide Legend
7. CRM Livewire
stallion’s Masterpiece Challenge victory might have sweetened his chances of repeating his 2011 year-end accolades—last year, Livewire was named the Champion 2-Year-Old and 2-Year-Old Colt and No. 1 Honor Roll Racing Stallion. “He’s just run really well this year—second
and fi rst all year,” Kaye said. “He’s just stayed sound and he seems to love what he’s doing, which makes it really nice.” In 2013, the stallion’s connections look forward
to more memorable moments down the back- stretch before Livewire takes on breeding duties. “He’s lightly raced, he’s extremely sound and he just now is coming into his own,” Matt said. “I’d like to challenge some of those older horses. I don’t know how much more he can improve, but even if he stays like he is, he’ll be pretty tough.”
Jessica Hein is editor of Paint Horse Racing. To comment on this article, email jhein@apha.com.
Up to the Challenge Think your racehorse has what it
takes to compete in the Masterpiece Challenge? Enrolled Paints and Appaloosas can qualify for the 2013 race by winning select qualifying races, which take place throughout the year; an at-large qualifi er is also selected by the APHA racing com- mittee. Horses must be enrolled by December 31 of their 2-year-old year, and the nominator must be the recorded owner or lessee at the time of enrollment. Watch Paint Horse Racing and racing.apha.com for more details as they become available.