Running Dragon tries to stay perfect in Mountain Top Futurity

Running Dragon will attempt to remain undefeated in four career starts on Saturday, when she breaks from the rail in the $364,256 Mountain Top Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. The 350-yard race is restricted to Quarter Horses bred in New Mexico.

Running Dragon will face nine others, including a quartet from the barn of trainer Blane Wood. But none in the field can match her accomplishments to date. Running Dragon has won her three races by a combined 2 1/4 lengths. She also is the lone stakes winner in the Mountain Top, having won the $140,000 New Mexican Spring Futurity at Sunland Park in April.

Running Dragon also comes into Saturday’s race with the fastest qualifying time, having won her June 3 trial in 17.50 seconds. She bounded to a 1 1/4-length win at 1-5 odds and figures to go favored again in the finale. Jose Enrique Ortiz has the mount for By By J J Limited Partnership and trainer Juan Gonzalez.

Wood will counter with trial winners Jesse Jrs Tambien, Percyjones, and Copy My Daddy, as well as trial runner-up Me Like Daddy. The four horses were all making their career debuts in the trials June 3.