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Memorial Service Set May 15 For Longtime Trainer Carl Draper
A memorial service honoring long-time trainer Carl Draper has been set for Sunday, May 15 at Ruidoso Downs.

© Courtesy AQHA Racing
Memorial Service Set May 15 For Longtime Trainer Carl Draper

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—APRIL 14, 2016—A memorial service honoring two-time All American Futurity-winning trainer Carl Draper has been set for Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m. in the Turf Club of Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

Draper died at his home in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico on December 21 of a heart attack. He was 76.

A member of the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame and longtime fixture on the New Mexico racing circuit, he trained the earners of $12.65 million with 41 stakes wins and 13 Grade 1 wins.

Draper was best known for training 2005 world champion DM Shicago and two-time champion Heartswideopen, the 2007 champion two-year-old and 2008 champion three-year-old filly. They each won the All American Futurity.

DM Shicago earned $1,873,730 with wins that included the 2005 Grade 1 All American Derby. He is one of six horses to take the All American Futurity-All American Derby double. The Separatist gelding also won the Ruidoso Derby and the Rainbow Derby before completing his sweep of the three Grade 1 derbies at Ruidoso Downs with his one-length win in the All American Derby.

Carl Draper leading Dm Shicago, Jed Vane up, off the track at Ruidoso Downs. © Ty Wyant
Fredda Draper and breeder Don Moler co-owned Dm Shicago.

Heartswideopen banked $1,885,283 with $1,857,393 earned at Ruidoso Downs. The Feature Mr Jess filly won the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity and Draper passed on the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity to point her towards her winning effort in the Grade 1 All American Futurity. She came back at three to win the Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby and Grade 1 Rainbow Derby before finishing second by a neck to champion Noconi in the Grade 1 All American Derby.

Draper also trained 2012 champion two-year-old filly PJ Chick In Black to win the Ruidoso Futurity after and the New Mexican Spring Futurity for New Mexico-breds at Sunland Park.

Draper is survived by his wife of 53 years, Fredda; children Robyne and Dallas; grandchildren Jasmyne Helena Rogers (husband Adam Rogers), Bella Amezcua, Jaxon Draper and Jordan Wright; and great-grandchildren Paige Joy Helena Rogers and Lucas Addison Rogers. Draper always said his success was for his family.