2012 Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle Western Rendezvous — Page 23
Race could offer surprises Water level plays a part in swiftness of the Suicide Race By Al Camp The Chronicle OMAK – This year’s WorldFamous Suicide Race should have some great races and maybe a surprise or two. Suicide Races are held at the end of each performance of the Omak Stampede from Aug. 912. Compared to similar endurance races, Omak’s race does not take long. Horses race 100 feet on the flat, then over a steep embankment that leads to the Okanogan River. The river is a wild card, in that if it’s high, horses that swim well or are tall, so their feet touch bottom soonest, have an advantage.
This year, the river ran high well into July, but August heat could cause it to drop. The race wraps up with horses racing up a ramp Peasley into the rodeo arena. Last year’s winning entry combined two past champions. Patch, which took Aaron Carden to the title with four first place finishes in 2007, and Tyler Peasley, who had won in 2005 and 2006 aboard Reuben, were combined. They produced two firsts, a second and a third for 18 points and the title to owner Kevin Carden. But the win was not locked up until the final race. Commando, ridden and owned by Abe Grunlose,
Al Camp/The Chronicle
Tyler Peasley, on Patch, leads going down the hill in 2011. finished with 15 points. Commando and Patch were tied in the standings after the first
two races. Each horse had a
See Race Page 24
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