Ed Burke Million Futurity trials draw 114 entrants

The Quarter Horse mare Dasha Freda will forever be known as the dam of Heza Dasha Fire, the winner of the 2014 Ed Burke Million Futurity and the sport’s 2015 World Champion.

There are three chances history could repeat in the Ed Burke this year.

Time trials for the Ed Burke Million Futurity on June 20 will be run at Los Alamitos on Sunday and there are three juveniles out of Dasha Freda starting in the 12 350-yard divisions.

Leading Quarter Horse mares often have numerous foals registered in the same year because of breeding via embryo transfers. Jose Flores, who trained the now-retired Heza Dasha Fire, has all three of Dasha Freda’s Burke hopefuls in his care – Dasha Dynasty, Sweet Dasha Fire, and Dasha Good Reason.

In the first race, Dasha Dynasty, a colt by FDD Dynasty, will have his second start. Dasha Dynasty is co-owned by Don, Kathy, and Shawn Meneely, who bred and raced Heza Dasha Fire.

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Dasha Dynasty was second by a nose to Black Coffeee in a 300-yard maiden race on April 23. Black Coffeee is also in the first division of the Burke trials.

In the fourth race, Sweet Dasha Fire, a filly by Walk Thru Fire has her second start for the Meneelys. Sweet Dasha Fire was beaten a nose when second in a 300-yard maiden race on April 23.

In the sixth race, Dasha Good Reason, a colt by Good Reason SA, will be favored on the basis of a win in a 300-yard maiden special weight race by 1 1/2 lengths on April 18.

The runners with the 10 fastest times, regardless of finishing positions, advance to the final.

Flores and Paul Jones are the only trainers with entrants in all 12 races, although Juan Aleman, Monty Arrossa, Adan Farias, and Jaime Gomez have runners in at least 10 races.

The program, consisting only of time trials, drew 114 entrants, by far the strongest card of the year at Los Alamitos, which has struggled with entries in recent months.

Most of the runners have experience in maiden races or time trials for the Kindergarten Futurity on April 25. Beduino Surprise, third in the Kindergarten on May 16, starts in the ninth race, while Docs Fastlane, fourth in the Kindergarten, will be favored in the 12th race against the maiden race winners Knockout Cartel and Run by Your Cartel.

Heza Dasha Fire was the champion 2-year-old gelding of 2014. He was retired at the end of 2018 with earnings of $2,240,112, third on the all-time Quarter Horse list behind leader Ochoa with $2,781,365.