A Revenant among horses seeking berths in All American Futurity

The two-day run of trials for the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity will get off to a fast start Friday at Ruidoso Downs, where A Revenant, the top-ranked 2-year-old Quarter Horse, goes in the fifth race. There will be a total of 30 trials run Friday and Saturday.

The All American is a Labor Day classic and the richest prize available to 2-year-old Quarter Horses. There are 10 spots in the gate for the 440-yard finale, and they will be earned by horses with the five fastest times from each card Friday and Saturday. Each program features 15 trials and will have a special first post of 11 a.m. Mountain.

A Revenant sits atop the latest American Quarter Horse Association’s weekly poll for his win in last month’s Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. He is 3 for 4 overall, with his lone loss coming by a head in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity. A Revenant will break from the rail under regular rider Cody Jensen. Michael Joiner trains for the partnership of R.D. Hubbard, Johnny Cope, Ray Willis, and Butch Southway.

Duponte, ranked second in the latest poll put out by the AQHA, also will be in action Friday. He goes in the 15th race as a $50,000 supplement. Duponte won the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity in his last start June 4 at Remington Park. He also won the Grade 3 Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity in March at Louisiana Downs.

Saturday’s card gets off to a rousing start with Apolltical Chad running in the fourth race. He won the Ruidoso Futurity over A Revenant in his most recent start June 12. Apolltical Chad will break from post 8. Adrian Ramos has the mount for Nueve Racing and trainer Wes Giles.

Each trial will be run over 440 yards and has a purse of $4,000.

Horses who do not qualify still have a shot at a rich stakes offering at Ruidoso. The five fastest qualifiers from each card Friday and Saturday who do not earn spots in the All American Futurity will secure spots in the gate for the $500,000 All American Juvenile. The race has received a purse increase for this meet after being worth $200,000.