162 vie to make All American

Grade 1 futurity winners Red Clay of Texas and Rdustys Chick head 162 2-year-olds trying to earn a berth in the Grade 1 $2.1 million All American Futurity when 17 trials are held on Thursday at Ruidoso Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from the 440-yard trials return on Labor Day for the All American Futurity, the sport's richest event.

Red Clay of Texas became a leader in the juvenile division when he raced to a length win in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity on June 10.

He then finished second in his Rainbow Futurity trial, failing to make the finals.

Rdustys Chick became a strong All American Futurity prospect when she won the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity at Remington Park on June 9, her most recent start.

There are eight supplemental nominees - at a cost of $50,000 each - running in the trials. The owners of the supplemental nominees had a difficult decision for several reasons.

First, on the positive side, this may be a good year for supplements, since Grade 1 futurity winners have fallen off the All American trail. Rainbow Futurity winner Doing Magic and Remington Park Futurity winner Le Magnifique FG have been sidelined with injuries. West Texas Futurity winner Illusioneiress died from colic.

Second, on the negative side, recent history has not indicated success for supplemental nominees. Last year, there were 11 supplemental nominees and only one (Copper Buff) made the finals.

California-based owners Dutch Masters III, James Streelman, Denny Boer, and Doug Benson paid $100,000 to supplement two horses, Kindergarten finalist Winner Wants Cash and the promising maiden winner One Honest Heart.

The other supplemental nominees are Rainbow Futurity finalist This Candys Special, Bob Moore Stakes winner No Hens Here, American Airlines New Mexico Challenge winner Sir Diligent, the undefeated Skash, the maiden Straight Form, and Joe Bob Holland, who is reported to have won an unofficial futurity in Mexico.

In the All American Futurity, like virtually all quarter horse races, all the supplemental money is added to the purse, so the owners have the opportunity to run at the money they spent.

Feature Mr Jess expected for Derby trials

Feature Mr Jess is expected to make his first start since winning the Grade 1 $200,000 Rainbow Derby on July 22 in the trials to the Grade 1 All American Derby on Friday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

Feature Mr Jess, winner of the 2000 Rainbow Futurity, is undefeated from two starts this year, including his half-length win in the Rainbow Derby

Also expected for the All American Derby trials are Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby winner Whosleavingwho and Grade 2 El Primero Del Ano Derby winner Heza Motor Scooter.