Idaho Gem and Idaho Star will face each other this Saturday in a mule race at Fresno, California. The two mule clones have been racing as three year olds this season and Fresno is the final race of the season. Idaho Gem, the first clone at the University of Idaho, had the fourth fastest time last weekend at the American Mule Associations World Championship Futurity. Owner Don Jacklin knows his mule faced some of the best three year olds this racing season.

JACKLIN Theres been about four of them that have been consistently in the high 90 speed index category and have gone over 100 several times recently and for three year olds thats just unheard of.

With several races now behind them how have Idaho Gem and Idaho Star held up? U of Is Doctor Dirk Vanderwall couldnt be happier.

VANDERWALL Theyre healthy. Theyre vibrant. The competition and the strenuous activity associated with racing, theyre doing their intended function.

Idaho Star has not had as much racing experience as Idaho Gem and the third clone, Utah Pioneer, is in California in training for the next racing season which begins in June, 2007 at Winnemucca, Nevada. Idaho Gem was third in points which are accumulated during the season based on finish.

Todays Idaho Ag News
Bill Scott