Tim Smith didn’t break the bank, but he came close in Las Vegas today with back-to-back wins in the South Point Open Winter Championships. He also claimed a reserve championship, and three other finals finishes.

Smith rode Cats Full Moon to win the Classic/Challenge championship with 222.5 points. Owned by Brinkman Ranch, Cats Full Moon is the 6-year-old High Brow Cat son that won the 2008 Pacific Coast Open Derby and Open Stakes under Steve Schlesinger. With his $10,000 winner’s share from the South Point event, Cats Full Moon now has NCHA career earnings of $126,927.

Ragtime CD Cat, ridden by Smith for Sally Nakasawa, Yuma, AZ, scored 220.5 points as reserve champion of the Classic/Challenge. The 5-year-old High Brow Cat daughter also won the 2009 Mebane Ranch Open under Smith and has lifetime earnings of more than $45,000.

Altogether, Smith rode four of the 12 Classic/Challenge finalists, including Oaks On The Skyline for Nakasawa, and Haidas Heritage for Sunnyside Stock Farm.

In the South Point Derby, Smith and Flo Like A Cat scored 220 points for the championship. The Cats Merada daughter is owned by Mike Rawitser, Paso Robles, CA, and also won the 2009 Pacific Coast Futurity under Smith. She has earnings of $47,558, which includes her winning check for the South Point Derby.

Sues So Smart scored 218.5 points for the reserve championship. The WR This Cats Smart daughter was ridden by Brian Anderson for Frank and Belinda Vandersloot, who own her famous dam, Meradas Little Sue, 1996 NCHA Horse of the Year, three-time NCHA world champion, and earner of $670,098.

Click here for complete results and pedigrees.