WRITTEN BY DIANNE SOLIS
Cross-posted from the Dallas Morning News
More than 300 quarter horses seized by federal authorities in a money-laundering case against the Zetas drug cartel fetched $8.8 million in an Oklahoma City auction this past weekend. Authorities say one, A Dash of Sweet Heat, drew a whopping $1 million at the Heritage Pace auction.
The horses were featured in a front-page Dallas Morning News story last month on the federal money-laundering case and the indictment against Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, the alleged kingpin of the Zetas, and two brothers and a sister-in-law. The story asked the question: Given the history, who will buy mares and stallions tainted by the drug trade?
The answer: Many buyers, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District.
There could still be more buyers as the federal government retains control over about 45 quarter horses.
Among them are Tempting Dash, winner of the Dash for Cash at Lone Star Park race track in Grand Prairie in 2009 and Mr. Piloto, a $1 million-dollar winner of the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in 2010.
Tuesday's Horse 