All American Futurity trials for 325 horses begin Friday
Ruidoso Downs puts on two of its most anticipated programs of the meet Friday and Saturday with the running of 34 trials for the record $3 million All American Quarter Horse Futurity. There are 325 entrants vying for 10 spots in the starting gate for the Sept. 7 finale. The horses with the five fastest trial times from each card will advance to the 440-yard All American.
Ruidoso has scheduled 17 trials for each program Friday and Saturday. There is a special first post of 10 a.m. Mountain for both cards. The sheer number of trials and Mother Nature’s whims over the course of the long programs at the mountain-top Ruidoso contribute to the difficulty and drama of securing a spot in the coveted All American.
The Friday group set to take on the challenges includes Bv Midnight Express, winner of the $1.1 million Heritage Place Futurity at Remington Park. He goes in the 13th race. Bv Midnight Express is the second-leading earner among 2-year-old Quarter Horses this year with a bankroll of $550,372. Russell Hadley has the mount from post 8.
Other Friday runners include $50,000 supplement Undivided Atemption, who goes in the first trial. She faces a field that includes Dahlia, who shares a name with Thoroughbred racing’s first millionaire filly. Each trial will be run at 440 yards and has a purse of $4,000.
First Valiant Sign, winner of the Ruidoso Futurity, headlines the Saturday card of trials for the All American. He goes in the 12th race. First Valiant Sign is the third-leading earner among 2-year-old Quarter Horses this season, with a bankroll of $496,280. G.R. Carter Jr. has the mount from post 6.
Others set for the Saturday trials include A Priceless Dash, the winner of the Remington Park Juvenile who goes in the fourth race; Ima Moon Quest, winner of the Zia Futurity who goes in the eighth race; and Nucky, a $50,000 supplement who goes in the eighth.
The first-place check for this year’s All American is $1.5 million, according to a release from Ruidoso.
All American Derby trials Sunday
Ruidoso will put on 12 trials for the $2.3 million All American Quarter Horse Derby on Sunday. The finale is Sept. 6.
The champion Kiss My Hocks, who ranks second on a poll of 3-year-olds and up put out by the American Quarter Horse Association, goes in the third trial Sunday. He won the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Derby earlier in the meet at Ruidoso. Kiss My Hocks will break from post 9. G.R. Carter Jr. has the mount for trainer Toby Keeton.