Illegal Memories's talent far exceeds his purchase price

Illegal Memories, a Quarter Horse who was purchased for $5,500, could go favored next month in the richest race in Texas. He was the fastest qualifier for the $1,069,297 Texas Classic Futurity during trials run for the race last Saturday night at Lone Star Park. The finale will close out the track's Quarter Horse meet on Dec. 1.

Illegal Memories won his trial by 1 1/4 lengths, and covered the 400 yards in 19.70 seconds. It was the second time this meet he has been the fastest qualifier for a Grade 1 futurity. Earlier this fall, Illegal Memories set the fastest qualifying time for the Dash for Cash Futurity. He was favored in the $450,000 finale and finished second by a half-length in the Oct. 13 race.

"He doesn't have a strong pedigree, and we only gave $5,500 for him, but he can't read or write, so he doesn't know how he's bred," said Doug McMullen, who trains Illegal Memories for Tim Lange and Charlie Forbes. "We're real proud of him."

A first-place finish in the Texas Classic Futurity would be worth $475,837.

Trainer Heath Taylor qualified six horses for the race. He won four of the nine trials held, and sent out two other horses to finish second in their trials. Taylor won five races overall on the card to tie a Lone Star fall meet record set by Steve VanBebber on Nov. 28, 1999.