Cowboys Gun Z puts win streak on line in Texas Classic Futurity

Cowboys Gun Z is an exceptional 2-year-old Quarter Horse who has reason to move forward Saturday night when he takes on Dark Nme in a deep renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park.

Cowboys Gun Z won the All American Futurity in August at Ruidoso Downs and Dark Nme won the Rainbow Futurity in track record time in July. Their rivals Saturday include San Lencho, who captured the Heritage Place Futurity in June at Remington Park, and Dollar Bill, a winner of his last five races topped by the Texas Quarter Horse Association Sale Futurity at Retama Park.

“It’s going to be a tough race,” said Michael Joiner, who trains Cowboys Gun Z.

Cowboys Gun Z was the fastest qualifier on the first day of trials for the Texas Classic on Oct. 26, covering 400 yards on a muddy, sealed surface in 19.71 seconds. It was the first time he had encountered a wet track or raced at night. The start also was Cowboys Gun Z’s first out in the nearly two months as he was freshened following his victory in the All American.

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“He ran the fastest time of the night, so he ran pretty good,” Joiner said. “And I think first trip under the lights – there was a little water standing on the track – he was kind of looking at that stuff and what not. I think he can run a lot better this time.

“I don’t really think he’s run his very best yet. He’s run really close – but I don’t think he’s run his very best. As tough as this race is Saturday, he better run his race.”

Cowboys Gun Z is a January foal that has continued to move forward since the All American.

“He seems to be maturing a little bit more mentally and that’s a good sign because he can be a little ornery,” Joiner said.

Cowboys Gun Z is looking for his fourth straight win in a streak that started with his August trial victory for the All American.

Agustin Silva has the mount from post 2 for West Texas Racing Partners.

Dark Nme was the fastest qualifier on the second day of trials for the Texas Classic on Oct. 27, covering 400 yards on a fast track in 19.35 seconds. She had brought a 6-for-6 record into the All American Futurity and finished third at 1-9.

“She’s a good filly,” Joiner said of the competition. “She’s fast.”

Dark Nme will break from the rail, just as she did in her trial for the Texas Classic.

Joiner said another runner making for a tough field is San Lencho, who breaks from post 3.

“That horse is undefeated,” he said of the runner who is 4 for 4.

The Texas Classic Futurity will be showcased on a card that includes the Grade 1, $100,000 Refrigerator Championship that drew Kj Desperado, the winner of both the Texas Classic Futurity and Derby who has banked $2.9 million.

Saturday night’s renewal of the Texas Classic Derby drew the 11-for-18 Jes An Angel, the talented Chasing Aj, and the multiple stakes winner Jess Good Wine.

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