Colorado meet opens with futurity trials

AURORA, Colo. - Six trials for the Cherry Creek Futurity and expanded simulcast coverage highlight opening day of Arapahoe Park's 41-day summer meet on Friday.

The $33,500-added Cherry Creek Futurity, a restricted, Grade 3 race for Colorado-breds to be run June 22, is one of 12 stakes on the Quarter Horse schedule, headed by the closing day feature, the $100,000 Mile High Futurity on Sept. 2.

Topping the 19 Thoroughbred stakes are the $75,000-added Colorado Derby at 1 1/16 miles Aug. 4, the $75,000-added Arapahoe Park Handicap at 1 1/8 miles Sept. 1, and the six-furlong $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity Sept. 2.

The meet also will have three stakes for Arabians and two for Paints and Appaloosas.

Racing will be conducted Friday through Sunday each week, with additional cards on July 4 and Labor Day.

The Arapahoe signal will be taken at Turf Paradise, Albuquerque, Ruidoso Downs, Sunland Park, Sunray Park, Retama Park, Sam Houston, Louisiana Downs, Canterbury Park, Thistledown, Beulah Park, Prairie Meadows, Remington Park, Fair Meadows, Lincoln Park, and Plain Ridge.