Hezgothelook Z takes early lead, keeps it in Rainbow Futurity

Hezgothelook Z broke on top and never looked back for a 1 1/4-length win over Fdd Dreams in the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Futurity for Quarter Horses on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico.

It was another neck back in third to Aguila Rapida.

The Rainbow was the second leg of the track’s Triple Crown and Hezgothelook Z is the lone horse eligible to win the series, as in June he captured the first leg, the Ruidoso Futurity. The finale is the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity on Sept. 2.

Hezgothelook Z ($3.80) had a length on the field in a heartbeat after breaking from the rail, and went on to cover 400 yards on a fast track in 19.30 seconds.

Bryan Candanosa rode the winner for trainer Toby Keeton, who also trains Aguila Rapida.

Hezgothelook Z has now won 4 of 5 starts for earnings of $852,300. He is a son of Favorite Cartel and he races for Triple One Ranch. Hezgothelook Z was bred in Oklahoma by Tommy Dinwiddie.

The Rainbow was a return to normalcy for Ruidoso as the region has been battling volatile weather the last month, from wildfires to flash flooding.

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