You can read off High Brow CD's long list of accomplishments and quickly realize the horse is special.

But here's another way to tell how great a year he had in 2008: the stallion's first crop of colts this year is just under 30. Next month, High Brow CD will begin breeding between 100-150 mares.

"He's a pretty popular stud," trainer Austin Shepard said.

Shepard and High Brow CD continued their run of success Sunday, marking 225 in the Classic Open first go-round at James Brown Arena.

The top 51 horses with scores of 212 or better advanced to today's second round. The Classic Open finals will be held Thursday night.

Unless a major hiccup occurs in the second go-round, Classic Open competitors will be chasing High Brow CD, a 5-year-old stud by High Brow Cat out of Sweet Little CD. High Brow CD was named the 2008 National Cutting Horse Association Horse of the Year after winning the 2007 NCHA Futurity Open championship, along with titles at the Augusta Futurity, Tunica Futurity, NCHA Super Stakes, Brazos Bash and Music City Futurity. The horse, which missed two months because of sickness, was inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame last year.

"He's just one of those special horses," Shepard said, "that don't come along very often."

Shepard said he didn't expect to make such a good score during the first go-round. After all, he and High Brow CD posted a high of 222 last year in Augusta. But later in 2008, the pair marked a career high 230 in Nashville. A two-time Augusta winner, Shepard said his 225 would've been a higher score had it been during the finals.

"Hopefully, I can get him to the finals," he said. "If I'd have that run Thursday night, it'd be a 228 or better."

Matt Miller wasn't as concerned about high scores during his first run as an Open rider. The Poolville, Texas, cutter made the leap from the Non-Pro ranks after the NCHA Futurity in December.

"It's definitely a lot more of a challenge, a lot more responsibility," said Miller, a two-time Augusta winner. "Everything's a business, and I've got to step up and do a little bit more than what I was doing before."

Miller and Soda Rey Bay dominated the Classic Non-Pro last year, recording the top aggregate score in the two go-rounds. The pair then went on to win the finals by 2.5 points.

In the Classic Open first go-round, Miller and his 6-year-old gelding had some problems with the dirt but still managed to advance to the second go-round with a score of 215.5. Miller also advanced Travs Scooter (215.5).

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.