Few surprises in Shine Futurity trials

There were few surprises in the trials for the two divisions of the $100,000-added D.S. "Shine" Futurity held here last week. The finals for the meeting's two marquee races for 2-year-olds will be held July 3 on Louisiana Showcase Night when the state's best will be featured in 10 stakes races worth close to $1 million

The colt and gelding trials last Saturday were especially formful as odds-on favorites accounted for all three qualifiers. There was also little substitute for experience as seven of the eight runners who had previously started moved on to the finals.

Toro Bravo ($3.40) recorded the fastest qualifying time in the second trial, stepping the five furlongs in 59.20 seconds with Kerwin Clark in the saddle. The Holy Bull gelding is trained by Glenn Delahoussaye and validated an impressive 6 1/2-length maiden score at Louisiana Downs on May 22.

Keep On Smokin ($3) and Tough Brush ($3.40) accounted for the other two trials and will likely vie with Toro Bravo for the role of favorite in the final. The top four finishers from each qualifying heat advanced.

The fillies qualified on Friday, and only eight-hundredths of a second separated the three winning times. Tiger Girl ($5) covered five furlongs in 59.69 in the opener while first-time starter Shoe La Lady ($7.60) and Candi's Kitten ($9.60) each stopped the timer in 59.77 in winning their respective trials.