On Labor Day, as Cowboys Gun Z thundered across the finish line to claim victory in the $3-Million All American Futurity(G1), a significant milestone was reached in the world of Quarter Horse racing. Trainer Michael Joiner joined the ranks of elite conditioners Blane Wood and Gregg Sanders, all of whom owe a part of their success to the tutelage of the legendary Ruidoso Racehorse Hall of Fame trainer, Leo Wood. This victory not only marks a personal triumph for Joiner but also serves as a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Leo Wood and the profound impact he had on the sport.
Leo Wood, a prominent figure in Ruidoso for much of his career, first etched his name in the record books by winning the 1979 All American Futurity(G1) with Pie In The Sky, owned by Dan and Jolene Urschel. His prowess as a trainer was widely recognized; he consistently ranked among the nation’s top-10 trainers throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His impressive list of victories also includes the 1973 Rainbow Futurity(G1) with Flying Rockette and Mighty Deck Three, among many other notable horses. Wood’s remarkable career was cut short when he passed away at the age of 55 in 1995, but his influence continued to shape the sport for years to come.
The first former assistant of Leo Wood to achieve victory in the prestigious All American Futurity(G1) was Gregg Sanders. In 1995, Sanders, with jockey Billy Peterson in the irons, guided Winalotacash to a memorable win, shortly before Leo Wood’s passing. Sanders’ own journey in racing began at the tender age of 15 when he hitch-hiked to Lubbock, Texas, and found immediate employment with Wood. Reflecting on his beginnings, Sanders shared, “When I first went to work in 1979 for Leo, it was me, Blane and Mike Joiner working for him. Leo gave me my start and taught myself, Blane and Mike how to be the horsemen we are today. I was happy to have been the youngest trainer to ever win the All American, and now tremendously happy that Mike and Blane have won it as well. Mike Joiner and Blane Wood are the two best horsemen that I know. Their knowledge of horses is unmatched in my opinion, and I would have never won the All American without all their teaching of me.”
Trainer Blane Wood, who has himself achieved two All American Futurity(G1) wins with Apocalyptical Jess in 2018 and Whistle Stop Cafe in 2020, expressed immense pride in Mike Joiner’s victory. Joiner and Blane Wood have shared a bond as close as brothers since the early 1980s when Joiner began working for Blane’s father, Leo. Blane also honed his skills under his father’s guidance. “Mike has always been like a brother to me, and he even lived with my dad for a little stretch while he was working for him,” Blane Wood stated. “Dad instilled into all three of us his work ethic, and I feel strongly to tell you that has made a difference in all of our lives. If you worked for Leo Wood, most times you became to be viewed as a part of the family, and I know dad would be proud of all of us winning this race.”
Blane further elaborated on the profound influence of their mentor, “I remember that he would want us to eat and breath horses and winning the All American Futurity. He would stress that really winning that big race is all that really mattered in this sport of Quarter Horse racing. If he were alive to see Mike’s win on Monday I would almost have to say that he would be speechless. Now that Mike has won it to make it three wins from former assistants of Leo Wood, it is now time that his grandson Trey wins one as well.”
For trainer Mike Joiner, the victory in the All American Futurity with Cowboys Gun Z represents the culmination of years of dedication and the realization of a dream shaped by Leo Wood’s mentorship. After numerous near misses in previous All American Futurity races, this win is particularly poignant. “I was so happy to have come up under Leo Wood,” Joiner shared. “He was such a great mentor and friend to me, as well as the whole Wood family. After Blane winning is a couple of time, I am just so happy to now to have at least one it once.”
Leo Wood’s contributions to Quarter Horse racing were formally recognized through his posthumous induction into the Texas Race Horse Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Ruidoso Racehorse Hall of Fame in 2019. His legacy, however, continues to thrive through the success of his former trainees, like Mike Joiner, who embody the principles of dedication, hard work, and excellence that defined Leo Wood’s illustrious career. The continuation of the “Leo Wood Dynasty” in the All American Futurity serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact a great mentor can have on the sport and the individuals within it.
