Rick French was still gathering his breath minutes after his sensational run in the $50,000 Amateur Any Age go-round.

French and Pistol Sin rung up a 219 to win the event Thursday in the Augusta Futurity at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

Rick French and Pistol Sin needed a little help to win the qualifying go-round $50,000 Amateur Any Age event Thursday at the Augusta Futurity. French didn't know he took the lead until one of his helpers told him. Todd Bennett/Special

French didn't know he took the lead; someone had to tell him.

"I was trying to thank my help," he said. "A lot of times I don't look up there (at the scoreboard). I just try to get my mind together and catch my breath."

Suzanne Rodoni-Silverberg and Brigapep equaled Kayo Welles and Big Beau Lena at 218 for second place. Twelve horses advanced to Saturday's final with a score of 213.5 or better.

After running his regular 12-year-old gelding in a weekend cutting show, French, of Lexington, Tenn., learned his horse's muscles had tightened. So his wife, Vickie, loaned him her horse. After French's inaugural Augusta performance, she may not get the 8-year-old gelding back.

French had his best performance in a cutting horse show since returning in last year from a five-year break. In that hiatus, he concentrated on making his trucking business successful.

Saying he's always wanted to come to Augusta, French learned he'd be making the trip after Vickie said she had entered him. While he rides here, she takes care of the business.

With warmer weather this year, Welles didn't have to worry about his Arcadia, Fla., business. Last year, he agonized over a brief cold front that brushed through the Southeast and hit his 120 acres of orange groves, but didn't cause any damage.

Welles' lone concern this year was his horse. Big Beau Lena, his 12-year-old gelding, returned to Florida Monday from Amarillo, Texas. After one day's rest, the horse made the trek to Augusta.

"I was a little worried about my horse," he said. "It's a long ways to Amarillo."

Welles and Big Beau Lena look to ride last week's momentum to a good finish Saturday. In Amarillo, the pair took fourth in the $50,000 Amateur division of the NCHA World Finals.

"Any time you go west of that river (the Mississippi River) and get a check, you've done good," he said.