American Runaway fastest for Rainbow

American Runaway not only established himself on Thursday as the favorite for the Grade 1, $625,000 Rainbow Futurity for Quarter Horses with his fastest qualifying run at Ruidoso Downs, he also figures to top the inaugural All American Future Wager, which will be offered from July 15-18.

American Runaway is the nation's leading 2-year-old, and he looked every bit the part during Thursday's card of 18 trials for the Rainbow finale July 25. He was the 1-5 favorite in the sixth race, and after an average start in the 400-yard trial he gradually picked up momentum to cover the distance on a fast track in 19.42 seconds. American Runaway won by a length and a quarter under Cody Jensen.

American Runaway is trained by Paul Jones, who qualified four other horses for the Rainbow: Classy Nicole(19.62), Quik Corona (19.68), and Dreams Fly Bye (19.69).

A total of 171 horses competed in the trials, and those with the 10 quickest times secured a spot in the gate for the Rainbow. Hes too Icy for Me was the second fastest qualifier after he won the fifth race in 19.49. The remaining qualifiers are Remington Park Futurity winner Llano Teller (19.54), This Corona Is Cold (19.57), Bodacious Dash (19.58), Rock N Zoom (19.62), and Miss Barbra Allen(19.66).

American Runaway races for Bobby Cox and Sammy and Johnny Martinez. He won the Grade 1, $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity in June to become the lone horse eligible for a $4 million bonus were he to also take the Rainbow and Grade 1, $2 million All American Futurity on Sept. 6. The three races are at Ruidoso Downs.