Remington Futurity to First Prize Leesa

First Prize Leesa won the richest running of the Remington Park Futurity on Saturday to remain unbeaten after two starts. The $683,600 race over 330 yards was the richest Quarter Horse race to date this year.

Ridden by G.R. Carter, First Prize Leesa ($4.60) was timed in 16.58 seconds over a wet-fast track, winning by a neck over fastest qualifier Dynaglide.

"She's extremely quick away from the gate and I think a good, clean start is always to your best advantage, especially when you're only going 330 yards," said winning trainer Heath Taylor. "She's so professional. She doesn't make any mistakes, which is advantageous at this time of the year."

CR Sugar N Spice finished third in the field of eight. Hot Pepper Jess and Justzoomin were scratched.

First Prize Leesa won her debut in a division of the Remington Park futurity trials on April 4. She races for Stanley Weetona and William E. Smith. A filly, First Prize Leesa earned $307,620 in the Remington Park Futurity.

In other racing Saturday night a Remington, Rarely Makes It Home, a stakes winner at Prairie Meadows last September, pulled an upset in the $203,509 Remington Park Derby.

Ridden by Stormy Smith, Rarely Makes It Home ($18) ran 400 yards in 19.56 seconds, finishing a neck in front of 9-1 Spit Curl Diva. King Brimmerton, part of the favored entry sent off at even-money, finished third in the field of 10, a neck behind Spit Curl Diva.

Rarely Makes It Home, a filly by Make It Anywhere, races for breeder Circle S Ranch and is trained by Mark Barnes. She has won 4 of 8 starts and $246,805.

At Sunland Park on Sunday, Varsity Girl, the second-longest shot in a field of 10, won the $252,625 West Texas Futurity, the final stakes for 2-year-olds at the meeting before the New Mexico circuit moves to prestigious Ruidoso Downs.

Varsity Girl ($64.80) ran 300 yards in 15.18 seconds, finishing a head in front of Shake Em Money Pop, who was three-quarters of a length in front of 2-1 favorite Mark It Famous.

Varsity Girl was ridden by Ricky Ramirez for owner Enrique Hernandez and trainer Ralph Muniz. By Shazoom, Varsity Girl has won 2 of 3 starts and $129,354. She won a division of the West Texas futurity trials on April 3 after finishing second in a maiden race in March.