First Valiant Sign tries to stay alive for bonus in Rainbow Futurity
First Valiant Sign has a great deal at stake Sunday in the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Quarter Horse Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. By virtue of his win in last month’s Ruidoso Futurity, he is the lone member of his crop still eligible for a $4 million All American Triple Crown Bonus.
To cash, First Valiant Sign must win the Rainbow, then qualify for and capture the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity in September. It’s a daunting task, a sweep of Ruidoso’s most prestigious races, and it has been accomplished by just one horse, Special Effort in 1981.
First Valiant Sign will face nine rivals in the 400-yard Rainbow. The field was determined after 32 trials were held July 3-4. Others set to start include Tres Friends, the fastest qualifier on Day 1, and Roman Soldier Cd, the fastest qualifier on Day 2.
Rainbow Futurity, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
First Valiant Sign
◗ He was the third-fastest qualifier on Day 2, when finishing third by a neck to Roman Soldier Cd. First Valiant Sign had trouble at the start and came rolling to cover 400 yards in 19.68 seconds on the final race of the card July 4.
◗ Jockey G.R. Carter Jr. was aboard First Valiant Sign and said the horse’s effort fit the description of First Valiant Sign given to him by Justin Joiner, the son of trainer Mike Joiner.
“Justin said that he’s tough but honest,” Carter said. “That’s what he is. He’s professional.”
◗ Carter qualified five horses for the Rainbow and ultimately will team with First Valiant Sign from post 4.
Tres Friends
◗ He was a front-running, half-length winner of his trial July 3, covering the distance in 19.55 seconds. It was the second career start for Tres Friends, after he finished fourth in a trial for the Ruidoso Futurity in his debut May 23.
“He’s figuring things out,” said trainer Blane Wood. “He’s coming to where we wanted him to come, at the right time. We’ve liked him all along.”
◗ Ricky Ramirez has the mount from post 3.
Roman Solider Cd
◗ He was 28-1 when he upset First Valiant Sign during the Rainbow trials, winning by a nose in 19.65 seconds July 4.
“I was glad when he drew into a tough trial,” said trainer J.J. Gonzales II. “He’s just a May foal. We took our time with him, and it paid off.”