Pounce, reserve champion of the 2010 NCHA Derby, scored 222 points yesterday, to win the second go-round of Classic Challenge Open competition under Phil Hanson, for Julie Clarke, Bend, OR.

It took a cumulative of 434 points to qualify for next Tuesday’s finals and Pounce was well qualified, with the second highest score of 438 points.

Little Pepto Cat posted the highest cumulative — 439.5 points — with go-round scores of 222 and 217.5 points, under Matt Gaines for Bob Kingsley, Weatherford, TX.

Sofie Rey, shown by Lee Francois for Isidro Sigala, Weatherford, TX, also posted 438 points, with go-round scores of 220 and 218 points.

Francois was one of just three riders to qualify two horses for the finals. He also advanced Reys Desire, owned by Woody Bartlett, Pike Road, AL, with scores of 215.5 and 220.5 points.

Gary Gonsalves earned a cumulative of 437.5 points (220 and 217.5) riding Spookys Smarty Rey, and 435.5 points with Spooky Smooth. Both horses are owned by Iron Rose Ranch, Carbondale, CO.

John Mitchell qualified finalists Smooth Asa Zee (217 and 219), for Slate River Ranch, Weatherford, TX, and High Brow Kwackin (217 and 218.5), for Armando Costa Filho, also of Weatherford.

Defending champion Third Cutting, NCHA earner of nearly $500,000, qualified with 437 points (218 and 219), under Boyd Rice, for Carl and Shawnea Smith, Jacksboro, TX.

See today’s complete Daily Chatter here.