2006 Brown Tobiano Gelding Grand Point x SC Running Cloud (QH) by Dashing Cleat (QH) Owner: Sherry Koltiska/Lynn & Betty Bettinger Breeder: Randy J. Davis Trainer: Judd Kearl Jockeys: G.R. Carter, Jeremy Garcia, Rodrigo Vallejo, Juan Vazquez
hen PF Chief Runnin Bear added second consecutive Aged Champion and Aged Gelding titles to his resume in 2012, he brought his number of championships to eight. He might not be done—the gelding’s prepping for another year of racing at age 7 in 2013.
“He loves to run,” Brande Koltiska said. Brande’s mother,
Sherry, of Lander, Wyoming, owns PF Chief Runnin Bear with Lynn and Betty Bettinger of Waco, Texas. Randy Davis bred him in Oklahoma by crossing the Quarter Horse mare SC Running Cloud with the Paint stallion Grand Point. “Chief” began his 6-year-old season at Remington Park, as he does every year. He warmed up with thirds in the Paul Harber Memorial Handicap and Mister Lewie Memorial Handicap.
His next race, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Stakes, was one of his most impressive. Stretching out to 440 yards, he nearly caught winner Barney Ofield to run second by a neck. Barney Ofield set a new Paint world record of :21.32, and Chief’s time of :21.36 earned him a 102 speed index.
“His niche is 350 yards,” Brande said, “and we knew he still loved his job when he pushed to that 440.”
Chief moved to Retama Park for his next race, the 350- yard Colors of the Wind Stakes. Back to his best distance, he closed late to win by three-quarters of a length as the 1-2 favorite.
Fifth in the Green Country Paint and Appaloosa Handi- cap at Will Rogers Downs, a track he doesn’t care for, Chief was slated to close out the year in the Olympia Joe Handicap at Lone Star Park. Unfortunately, the race didn’t fill and he didn’t get his chance to run. Chief’s 2012 exploits not only earned him another two championships but also raised his lifetime earnings to $167,570. That puts him seventh on the list of all-time lead- ing Paint earners.
“Every year he has to contend with the younger horses,” Brande said, “and he always does so well. He’s very sound. We had him checked out at the end of the season, and he’s good. So he’s ready for another year.”
Grand Point PF Chief Runnin Bear SC Running Cloud (QH)