Jimmy Rash, Central Nebraska Today
GRAND ISLAND — Xavier Pickner hopes to make his mark riding thoroughbred race horses on tracks around the United States.
But he’s already made a bit of a name for himself riding in what’s known as Indian Relays, an event that is gaining in popularity.
Last September, Pickner — representing the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe — won the Junior Relay Championship in Casper, Wyoming. That win earned him part of the $100,000 prize money offered, but also a big belt buckle he displays with pride.
“I kind of like them,” said Pickner, who is from Fort Thompson, South Dakota. “It’s an adrenaline rush.”
The Indian Relays is a fast moving, action packed event. “60 Minutes” did a 13-minute feature on it last year that is available on the Internet.
Each team consists of four people — a rider, a mugger and two holders — and three horses. Each horse will run one lap. The rider must ride bareback.
After each lap, the mugger grabs the horse as he races into the exchange zone. The rider jumps off and jumps on to the next horse.
If it sounds dangerous, well, it is.
Pickner, 18, followed his older brother Kaliber into the sport.
“When I was growing up, I always saw him get on horses and stuff,” Pickner said. “So I just went out there and started helping him.”
Xavier began riding traditional race horses on the track last year. He rode 20 races at Fonner Park with a second and two thirds. This year he’s had 31 mounts at Fonner with two seconds and two thirds.
“I started in Fort Pier, then I came here and did all right,” he said. “Then I went to Bellcourt and won a couple more races there.”
He got his first win a year ago on June 15 at Chippewa Downs in Bellcourt, North Dakota, on a horse named Lake Sense. He picked up his second win later that meet at Chippewa Downs on Hey Sissy.
Xavier said him and his brother have their Indian Race horses at Fonner, working them out and getting them ready for the upcoming season.
“Relays pretty much start after this meet,” Pickner said. “I don’t know if I’m going but my brother I believe will be going to Gillette, Wyo.”
Xavier’s summer plans are yet to be determined.
“Some people want me to go to Iowa (to Prairie Meadows), but I’m not too sure yet,” he said.
Hoofprints
— Oregon County, trained by Isai Gonzalez, will be going for his fifth straight win in the sixth race on Friday. He’s the only horse who has won four races at Fonner this year. Gio Factor, Sumitup, Prizeless and Northwind all have three wins each.
— Kevin Roman may be headed towards his fourth straight Fonner jockey title. With six days of racing left, Roman leads the standings with 44 wins. Jose Medina is second with 36.
— Isai Gonzalez, who has won three straight trainer’s titles, has rallied back into contention. He’s now second with 30 wins, just behind Mark Hibdon with 33. David Anderson is third with 25.
Fonner Park Standings
Jockeys
Name;Sts;1st;2nd;3rd;Win%;$%
Kevin Roman;184;44;46;26;24;63
Jose Medina;169;36;27;20;21;49
David Cardoso;111;29;14;8;26;46
Ronald Hisby;133;17;13;16;13;35
Victor Bailon;127;16;10;16;13;33
Travis Cunningham;136;12;16;23;9;38
Nathan Haar;121;8;14;14;7;30
Scott Bethke;79;8;4;12;10;30
Blake Nunnally;104;7;16;18;7;39
Jayden Ironeyes;129;7;13;14;5;26
Trainers
Name;Sts;1st;2nd;3rd;Win%;$%
Mark Hibdon;128;33;19;13;26;51
Isai Gonzalez;134;30;33;19;22;61
David Anderson;125;25;19;17;20;49
Marvin Johnson;56;13;10;6;23;52
Kelli Martinez;98;12;13;12;12;38
Jason Wise;48;12;5;7;25;50
Schuyler Condon;61;8;6;7;13;34
Troy Bethke;32;5;1;4;16;31
Gerald Big Hair;26;5;1;2;19;31
Stetson Rushton;67;4;9;6;6;28
Owners
Name;Sts;1st;2nd;3rd;Win%;$%
MarkHibdon;123;32;19;12;26;51
GSH Stable;LLC;81;21;21;12;26;67
Garald Wollesen;29;6;2;2;21;34
JL Racing LLC;41;5;8;7;12;49
Ryan Belgum;11;5;2;1;45;73
Troy Bethke;20;5;0;3;25;40
D and L Farms;42;4;7;9;10;48
Marvin Johnson LLC;16;4;2;1;25;44
Landis Stables LLC;15;3;5;2;20;67
Steven Keplin, Jr.;13;3;2;2;23;54
