October 29, 1999
Contact: Kate Snider, Phone: (916)263-3047
AMRA – 008
NEW TRACK RECORD IN THE AMRA $10,000 GOLD CUP
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA - The most prestigious race of the year for mules was run at The Big Fresno Fair in October. There were really only two mules to watch – Taz and Black Ruby. All summer long there has been the ongoing competition between the two mules. For 12 straight races, Black Ruby had run first; Taz, second. In every race Black Ruby had nosed Taz out of the winner’s circle. October 17th held a different ending to the story for Taz.
Taz, a five year old mule owned by Don Jacklin of Post Falls, Idaho, broke the Fresno Fair track record formerly held by Black Ruby by running the 440 yard race in a lightening fast 25.47 seconds.
Black Ruby, owned by Sonny and Mary McPherson of Healdsburg, California, is a legend in her own time. She is the only mule in pari-mutuel history to win 12 races in a row. She is definitely the crowd’s favorite. And maybe that’s what makes Taz’s win even more special. You can’t really consider an animal that has run second all summer as the underdog, but you have to cheer for him just a little louder as he crosses the finish line first.
Both mules are outstanding athletes and deserve recognition for drawing the public’s attention to the fun and wagering consistency of mule racing.
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