Mule Clones Win First Heat, but lose in Finals

[EastTexasGal]

Mule Clones Win First Heat; Lose in Finals
by: Stephanie L. Church, News Editor
June 2006 Article # 7047

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The world's first cloned mule, Idaho Gem, and his cloned brother, Idaho Star, won their qualifying heats in races on Saturday. The next day, they ran third and seventh, respectively. The races, which were held in Winnemucca, Nev., were the first time cloned individuals have been pitted against each other and naturally bred animals in athletic competitions.

Washingtonpost.com reports the clones ran against six other traditionally bred mules at the 20th annual Winnemucca Mule Races, Show & Draft Horse Challenge.

"The clones, who competed for an $8,500 purse in the finals of their bracket, won their qualifying heats Saturday," the article reported. "A crowd of 1,000 people cheered as the mules raced down the stretch of an oval track in Winnemucca, about 160 miles northeast of Reno."

The mules were scheduled to race on a pro-circuit that makes stops at California county fairs during the summer.

Watch TheHorse.com for updates on the clones' performances in the weekend races.