By Al Camp
Chronicle staff

     A pair of elimination races whittle a 23-horse field for the World-Famous Suicide Race to fewer than 20 Aug. 3 in Omak.
     And a pair of Marchands proved victorious in each race.
     Tony Marchand on Buckskin Tamarack won the first heat. He also owns the horse.
     Loren Marchand on Taz edged last year's winner, Patch, to take the second heat. Jim Phillips owns Taz.
     Runoff races are held to keep a final field or 20 or fewer horses for the race, held after each of four performances of the Omak Stampede Aug 7-10.
     The first race sported a field of 12 horses, three of which left the Okanogan River without their riders. No horses or jockeys appeared to be hurt.
     The second race included 11 horses, two of which came into the arena riderless.
     One of the jockeys, Montana Pakootas, took a header at the base of Suicide Hill. He was stabilized, then transported across the river where LifeLine Ambulance took him to Mid-Valley Hospital.
     Heat one: 1, Buckskin Tamarack, George Marchand, George Marchand. 2, Skar Tar, Ryan Cate, Leroy Cate. 3, Bodacious, Winfred Pakootas, Clifford Louie.
     Heat two: 1, Taz, Loren Marchand, Jim Phillips. 2, Patch, Aaron Carden, Kevin Carden. 3, Thor Eddie Seyler, Mick Zabreznik.
     Qualified horses, jockey, owner:
     Bodacious, Winfred Pakootas, Clifford Louie.
     Buckskin Tamarack, George Marchand, George Marchand.
     Clever, Rich Gottfriedson/Ralph Moses, Bud and Kathleen Gottfriedson.
     Commando, Abe Grunlose, Lucille Pakootas.
     Coyote Dillon, Duran Marchand, Smoker Marchand.
     Diego, Steven Ford, Jeff/Steven Ford.
     Dozer, Tyler Peasley, Jonathan Abrahamson.
     Forgiven Affair, Eddie Seyler, Eddie Seyler.
     Gambler, Jimmy Marchand, Milo Pakootas.
     Hurk, Oliver Pakootas, Kerry Carden.
     J-31, Montana Pakootas, Clifford Louie.
     Marv, Leroy Abrahamson, Gerald and Danielle Sam.
     Morgan, Bryce Curry, Bryce Curry.
     Party Boy, Louis Zacherle, Don and Leah Frazier.
     Patch, Aaron Carden, Kevin Carden.
     Rawhide, Ralph Moses, Bud and Kathleen Gottfriedson.
     Red A, Marty Stanley, Ralph Moses.
     River Boy, Kevin LaCourse/Henry LaCourse, Kevin LaCourse.
     Sinbad, Tony Marchand, Chris Corey.
     Skar Tar, Ryan Cate, Leroy Cate.
     Soldier Boy, Glen James, Don James.
     Super Dave, Casey Nissen, Casey Nissen.
     Taz, Loren Marchand, Jim Phillips.
     Thor Eddie Seyler, Mick Zabreznik.