LOS ALAMITOS, CA—OCTOBER 13, 2018—Dr. Ruth Barbour is having a fun year owning and racing Quarter Horses in Canada and California. The equine veterinarian practitioner owns and trains Country Boy 123, who is a perfect seven for seven while racing at Ajax Downs near Toronto.

Dr. Barbour is also winning her share of races at Los Alamitos Race Course courtesy of Tac Me Up, a Kiddy Up gelding she owns in partnership with Colten O’Dell and Wendy O’Dell.

Ridden by Eduardo Nicasio for trainer Chris O’Dell, Tac Me Up posted his fourth win in seven starts this year after cruising to a 1-¼ length victory in the $25,000 Autumn Handicap on Saturday at Los Alamitos.

Bred by Garrett Firth, Tac Me Up left the starting gate beautifully from post number five and was in complete control of the race the entire way. Tac Me Up covered the 350 yards in :17.531, while earning $13,750 for the win. He’s now earned $46,525.

"(Barbour) has had a great year in Canada with her horse, Country Boy 123," O’Dell said. "I got to know her when the Bank of America Racing Challenge was here a couple of years ago when Country Boy 123 was three. I got to know Ruth. She called me and said I’d like to go in partners with you on a horse. This is our horse. We’re trying to get another horse for next year and carry on. We are very pleased with the way Tac Me Up ran tonight."

Tac Me Up won his maiden by 2-¼ lengths in his racing debut on April 15 and has also raced in the Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity and Governor’s Cup Futurity.

"We had bad luck in the futurities," O’Dell added. "He kind of got knocked around. I nominated him to the Challenge races (on November 17). We are looking at some other overnight handicaps and he’s in the El Primero Del Ano Derby trials next year. Those are the kind of things we are looking at."

O’Dell has a great time talking horses with Dr. Barbour this year.

"She’s called me a few times for tips on training Country Boy 123," O’Dell added. "She doesn’t need any tips because she’s done a wonderful job with that horse and is an excellent horsewoman. We’ve shared some ideas on training. The other day, after Country Boy 123 won his seventh race, I called her and said, ‘Hey, he just picked up his seventh win. Now I need to get some tips from you.’ We’re having a fun time."

Thomas Bradbury, Thomas Bradbury Jr., and Lisa Beauprez’s Favorite Cartel gelding Heza Blues Man earned $5,625 for running second for trainer Paul Jones and jockey Jesus Rios Ayala. Dr. Steve Burns’ Stel Corona filly Stel A Gambler ran third for trainer Mike Casselman and jockey Jonathan Roman.

Bos Time Machine, Stevieb Flashofcash, and Bolt For Gold completed the field.

Courtesy of www.losalamitos.com.