High Plains Perry edges Koolnfamous in Texas Classic Futurity

High Plains Perry gave trainer Trey Wood and jockey Ricky Ramirez their fourth win in the Grade 1, $1 million Texas Classic Futurity on Saturday night, when he edged favorite Koolnfamous by a head in the closing-night feature at Lone Star Park.

The Texas Classic Futurity is the state's richest race. The 400-yard race is for 2-year-old Quarter Horses.

High Plains Perry ($14.60), who was the fourth fastest qualifier for the finale, was always prominent Saturday, and covered the distance on a fast track in 19.93 seconds. He gave Wood and Ramirez their third consecutive win in the Texas Classic Futurity.

“Today, he just broke beautifully,” Ramirez said.

Wood had four starters in the race, with Tough to Bee and Percyjones finishing in a dead heat for third. He said the barn’s record in the race is due to a couple of key factors.

“It takes good people surrounding you, good owners,” Wood said. “That’s whom I credit, the owners and everybody surrounding us.”

High Plains Perry races for Paragon Farms. He has now won four of five starts; the first-place check of $445,000 from his first stakes win in the Texas Classic pushed his earnings to $453,380. High Plains Perry is a son of Mr Jess Perry; he was bred in Texas.

On the undercard, First Valiant Sign ($6.80) drove to a head win over stablemate Jess Burnin in the Grade 1, $362,848 Texas Classic Derby. G.R. Carter, who was aboard First Valiant Sign, had qualified four horses for the finale. The winner covered 440 yards in 21.51 seconds.

First Valiant Sign, who won last year’s Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby, is trained by Michael Joiner. He is a son of Valiant Hero and he races for the partnership of Scott Bryant, Joe Dee Brooks, Lee Lewis, Derrol Hubbard, and R.D. Hubbard. First Valiant Sign was bred in Oklahoma.

** Fdp Rock Solid ($7.60) was a neck winner over favorite Aberdonian in the $303,000 Black Gold 440 Championship Futurity on Saturday at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla.