Heza Dasha Fire can make history in Los Al Two Million

CYPRESS, Calif. – Heza Dasha Fire is 400 yards away from a first in Quarter Horse history, and most likely the title of 2014 World Champion Running Quarter Horse.

Heza Dasha Fire will be a heavy favorite in Sunday’s $2,078,775 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity. Already this year, the undefeated gelding has won the Ed Burke Million Futurity in June and the Golden State Million Futurity in November. A win in the Two Million would give Heza Dasha Fire an unprecedented sweep of the three races, a $1 million bonus for owners Don and Kathy Meneely of Kennewick, Wash., and the best case for honors as World Champion, the Quarter Horse version of Horse of the Year.

The three-race series was launched in 1998. Two horses have won the first two futurities but were beaten in the Two Million. In 2003, when the series included different races, Hawkish won the Kindergarten and Ed Burke but was ninth in the Two Million. Higher Fire was second in the 2005 Two Million after winning the Burke and Golden State futurities.

For Sunday, Heza Dasha Fire and regular rider Cruz Mendez drew the rail in a field of 10 that includes Jess Walkin Thru, who was second in the Dash For Cash Futurity at Lone Star Park in October; Apollitical Blood, who was second in the Golden State Million; and Bf Farm Boss, who won the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Futurity at Los Alamitos in October.

KEY CONTENDERS

Heza Dasha Fire

In the Nov. 23 time trials, Heza Dasha Fire extended his unbeaten streak to six races, winning by three-quarters of a length over Bf Farm Boss. Heza Dasha Fire was timed in 19.557 seconds, which equaled the fastest qualifying time set by Apollitical Blood.

The trial race took a toll on Heza Dasha Fire, trainer Jose Antonio Flores said.

“He was a little drawn up after the trial,” Flores said Thursday. “The three-week break will be good. It happens. His Golden State race really impressed me. He got bumped on both sides and came through. It would be nice to win this one. I’m happy to have this kind of animal.”

Apollitical Blood

Trained by Juan Aleman, Apollitical Blood was beaten a half-length by Heza Dasha Fire in the Golden State. Earlier this year, Apollitical Blood was fourth in the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.