Hezgothelook Z can clinch rare sweep in All American Futurity

His trainer describes him as a “freak.”

While the description may seem coarse, there is clearly something brilliant about the 2-year-old Quarter Horse Hezgothelook Z, who can reach a historic milestone with a win in Monday’s $3 million All American Futurity at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Hezgothelook Z won the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity at 350 yards at Ruidoso Downs on June 9, and the $1 million Rainbow Futurity at 400 yards at Ruidoso Downs on July 14.

If he wins the All American Futurity at 440 yards, Hezgothelook Z will be only the second horse to sweep the three futurities. Special Effort was the first in 1981.

One major difference between 1981 and this year is the venue. Special Effort raced that summer only at Ruidoso Downs. Hezgothelook Z, and the rest of the Ruidoso racing community, were relocated to Albuquerque in late July after a series of floods damaged the Ruidoso Downs track. The floods were caused by runoff from local mountains scarred by wildfires in June.

Hezgothelook Z had his first start at Albuquerque on Aug. 9, winning a division of the All American Futurity trials by a length in 21.10 seconds for the day’s second-fastest qualifying time. The runners with the five fastest times on Aug. 9 were among the 10 who earned berths in Monday’s race.

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The list of entrants is different than the original list of qualifiers. Kempton, the undefeated winner of the Heritage Place Futurity at Remington Park in June, and the winner of a trial on Aug. 10, tested positive for albuterol in a subsequent out-of-competition test and was not permitted to be entered.

Hezgothelook Z, trained by Toby Keeton for Triple One Ranch, will be a heavy favorite. Keeton said on Thursday that Hezgothelook Z emerged from his trial race in good condition.

“He sleeps, eats, and does everything right,” Keeton said.

Hezgothelook Z is the third horse in a position to join Special Effort. Treacherously in 1993 and Jess Savin Candy in 2021 won the first two futurities, but finished third and fourth in the All American.

Keeping a horse healthy through the late spring and summer is vital, Keeton said.

“It’s hard to keep them sound,” he said. “They’ve got to be a freak to do it.”

Keeton said he is fortunate that Hezgothelook Z has not been beset with physical problems.

“He doesn’t get sore,” Keeton said.

Hezgothelook Z will be ridden by regular jockey Bryan Candanosa and starts from post 3. His main rival, Brink Man V, begins from post 4. Trained by Heath Taylor, Brink Man V was third by 1 3/4 lengths in the Ruidoso Futurity and did not race again until he won a division of the All American trials on 21.36 seconds on Aug. 10.

The qualifying times on Aug. 10 were slower than the previous day after a severe rainstorm hit the Albuquerque area late on the afternoon of Aug. 9.

The overall fastest qualifier is Ariatt, who was won a trial on Aug. 9 in 20.97 seconds for trainer Xavier Rodriguez. Ariatt will have his futurity debut in the All American.

Keeton also qualified trial race winners Moutainaire (21.23 seconds on Aug. 9) and the filly Peepl R Scrambled (21.44 on Aug. 10). Mountainaire, who starts from the inside in his futurity debut, is a threat to Hezgothelook Z, Keeton said.

“He could be the upsetter in the field,” Keeton said.

“It’s a good bunch of horses. It will come down to who doesn’t make any mistakes.”

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