10/12/06 Clone mules in weekend race

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 Association's World Championship Futurity. Owner Don Jacklin knows his mule faced some of the best three year olds this racing season. JACKLIN "There's 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 that's just unheard of." With several races now behind them how have Idaho Gem and Idaho Star held up? U of I's Doctor Dirk Vanderwall couldn't be happier. VANDERWALL "They're healthy. They're vibrant. The competition and the strenuous activity associated with racing, they're 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. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott