Pete Branch's record run might last forever.

Branch marked a 227 on Little Badger Dulce in the 1995 Classic Open for the best run in Augusta Futurity history. Only one competitor has come close to the mark in the seven futurities since then.

Ronnie Rice came within a half-point of tying Branch in 1999. In the semifinals of the America's Greatest Cowboy contest, Rice, on Hickory's Farmer, scored a 226.5.

In the three years following Rice's run, Branch's record has been safer than the gold at Fort Knox. The highest score since then came in 2000: a 224.5 by Sam Shepard in the America's Greatest Cowboy contest.

In 23 years of the Augusta Futurity, there have been 11 scores of 225 and above. Last year, there were 38 rides of 220 or better. Sean Flynn's 223.5 in the Classic Open final was the top score of the competition.

In 2001, there were just 11 scores of 220 or better. The highest mark was a 222 by Sam Shepard and Deborah Kelley Bartlett.

After Branch's 227 and Rice's 226.5, the next best score is a 225.5 by Branch in 1994.

There have been eight scores of 225. The latest came in 1999 when Phil Rapp did it on his famed mare, Tap O Lena.

Rapp's 225 came in the one-time-only Non-Pro Parade of Champions event. The Parade of Champions featured former Augusta Futurity winners.

Of the 11 scores of 225 and above in show history, five have been scored by two riders. Branch has two and Kobie Woods has three - all on the stallion Cash Quixote Rio.

Only one woman is represented in the elite "225 club." Sumer Hightower scored 225 on Hyglo Freckles in 1990.