Lightning Vaquera backs up trial win with Golden State Million Futurity victory

Lightning Vaquera, a filly well-beaten in two time trials for major stakes in New Mexico during the summer, has found a home at Los Alamitos this fall.

On Sunday, Lightning Vaquera won her stakes debut in the $1.19 million Golden State Million Futurity for Quarter Horses. She was the fastest qualifier from 14 time trials on Oct. 3 in her first start at the California track.

Those are the only two wins in her four-race career.

Lightning Vaquera won Sunday’s 400-yard final by neck as the favorite, returning $6. Ridden by Gerardo Vera, Lightning Vaquera started from the outside post and had a trouble-free trip. She trailed 9-2 Revenantly after 100 yards and reached the front midway through the race.

Lightning Vaquera was timed in 19.76 seconds and earned $488,943 for Javier Rodriguez’s La Felix Montana Ranch. Lightning Vaquera is trained by Rodriguez’s brother, Manuel.

Revenantly held second, finishing a half-length in front of 8-1 Luxury Sin Tacha in the field of 10. Javier Rodriguez co-owns Luxury Sin Tacha with Tabasco Racing.

The first three finishers were the three fastest qualifiers from the time trials.

Lightning Vaquera, a filly by Flying Cowboy 123, has earned $492,433.

The result of the Golden State Million Futurity trial and final were a reverse from Lightning Vaquera’s seventh-place finish in a division of the Rainbow Futurity trials in her first start on June 26 and a sixth-place finish in a division of the All American Futurity trials on Aug. 8.

Javier Rodriguez said Monday morning that Lightning Vaquera will be considered for the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, depending on how she trains in coming weeks.

Trials for the 400-yard Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity will be held Nov. 22. The final is on Dec. 13.