Austin Shepard shut out the competition in the Cotton Stakes Cutting Horse Derby and Classic this week in West Monroe, LA. The 29-year-old trainer, winner of the 2007 NCHA Futurity and 2008 NCHA Super Stakes on High Brow CD, won both the Cotton Stakes Derby and Classic on Skyline Lena, owned by James and Gail Hooper, and his own horse, Thomas E Hughes, respectively.

In the Derby, Shepard also placed fifth on his own horse Bonafide Bodee, and tied for 19th on Desires Gato and Playware. He finished in the money, as well, riding Cetas Ahoy Mate, Cats Dual Olena and MH San Tules Dually in the Classic.

Shepard’s total Cotton Stakes earnings of $72,750 represented 22 percent of the combined purses of the Derby and Classic or 25% of the Derby purse and 20 percent of the Classic purse. Clint Allen, who split third and fourth in the Derby on Special Nu Kitty, and also placed with Smart Stylish Pepper and Docs Dual Dodger, tallied $24,375 in the Derby. Between them, Shepard and Allen claimed 40 percent of the Cotton Stakes Derby purse.

Click here for full results of the Derby and Classic with pedigrees.