PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity loses two qualifiers, down to field of nine

For the second consecutive day, a top qualifier for a major stakes at Los Alamitos is staying in the barn.

Another Nymph was the fastest qualifier for the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association Breeders’ Futurity from time trials on Sept. 11, but will not start in Sunday’s $325,000 final because of soundness issues, trainer Monty Arrossa said on Friday.

“She came back from the track yesterday and was off,” Arrossa said. “We’re not sure what’s going on. The state vet looked at her and scratched her.

“She will not need surgery. The blessing is the filly will be fine.”

Arrossa’s stable had a similar situation regarding Saturday’s PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby. Fastest qualifier Favorite Honey emerged from a time trial on Sept. 10 with a knee injury that required surgery later in September.

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The PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity, run at 350 yards, will have nine starters. Secret Success, second in a division of the time trials, was also not entered, but is expected to race later this year, according to a statement from the track.

The remaining field is led by the fillies Frivolous, who won the Governor’s Cup Futurity in July, and Valiantli, who won the Kindergarten Futurity in May for Arrossa. Both were second in time trials on Sept. 11.

Hes Chickless, a trial race winner in 17.58 seconds, has inherited the role of fastest qualifier. This is the first futurity appearance for Hes Chickless, who is trained by John Cooper.

Aside from Valiantli, Arrossa also starts Chicks First Flash, who was second in the Kindergarten and third to Hes Chickless in the Sept. 10 trials.

Jockey Armando Cervantes, closely allied with Arrossa, rode Valiantli and Chicks First Flash in the Sept. 10 time trials and will ride Chicks First Flash in the final. Valianti will be ridden by Cruz Mendez, who was aboard for the win in the Kindergarten.

The PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity will be the third appearance in a major stakes for Mornings With Maria, who is trained by Juan Aleman. Mornings With Maria was fourth in the Kindergarten and sixth in the Governor’s Cup.

Mornings With Maria was sharper in the PCQHRA Breeders’ Futurity trials, winning for the first time in her career in her sixth start. She finished a half-length in front of Valianti.

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