Mary Cage
Golden Horse
Brooks Open Gold never found the winner’s circle on the track, but he’s still a winner in the eyes of his owner.
Texas-bred transitions from the track to the barrels By Mary Cage
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There are two meanings of the word “race” for Texas-bred Brooks Open Gold. A 7-year-old gray gelding by Open Forum, Brooks Open Gold has competed not only in races at the track but also in barrel races. After Brooks Open Gold finished fifth in his final career start at Lone Star Park on July 16, owner Haley Thorne will now focus on the gelding’s barrel racing career. The gray, who she calls Steel, ended his racing career with 40 starts. Although he never reached the winner’s circle, he garnered three seconds and five thirds with earnings of $20,014. Steel entered Thorne’s life in March 2014, shortly after the gelding finished third in a maiden claiming race at Sam Houston Race Park—his first in-the-money finish since December 2012. Brought to her attention by a friend, veterinarian Geneve Dundas, Steel immediately impressed Thorne with his calm demeanor. This quality convinced Thorne to purchase him and begin training him for barrel racing. After having spent most of his life at the racetrack, Steel had the chance to “just be a horse” now that he was in Thorne’s care. With the help of her friend Catherine Thompson, Steel was started on barrels. The gelding learned the basics such as stopping, backing and loping circles and, along the way, he impressed Thorne with his intelligence. But the allure of flat racing lingered in Thorne’s mind. Now that she owned Steel, her interest in the sport had a chance to become more than just a daydream. She continued to race the gelding, entering him in races at Lone Star Park during the spring Thoroughbred meet. In the five races Steel competed in for Thorne during 2014, he earned a pair of seconds, two fourths and a sixth, earning $10,306.
AMERICAN Racehorse • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015