Silly Chix heads Harrah's futurity

If Silly Chix, the fastest qualifier, wins the $358,390 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity on Tuesday at Louisiana Downs, this time it will count as an official stakes win.

Silly Chix won the $94,080 Royal Shake Em Futurity at Las Palmas Downs in mid-February, but that race is not recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association or the Texas Racing Commission, because those organizations do not recognize 2-year-old races held before March 1. Also, Las Palmas Downs is not approved by American Quarter Horse Association.

Nonetheless, Silly Chix earned $42,336 in the 250-yard dash, and owner Joe Flores said, "It'll spend like real money."

Silly Chix returned to make her first association-recognized start in the trials to the Harrah's Entertainment Futurity and won by a half-length with the fastest qualifying time of 15.630 seconds for 300 yards.

Silly Chix is one of three embryo-transfer yearlings out of champion Deceptively purchased by Flores last summer for a total of $240,000. He paid $45,000 for Silly Chix. Deceptively won the Grade 1 Kansas (now Ruidoso) Futurity and is the former 350-yard track-record holder at Ruidoso Downs.

Trainer Jorge Barrera, who saddled Silly Chix, will also be represented by Vigilantly. The gelding won his trial by a length in 15.683 seconds, sharing the third-fastest time with Sixy Royal King.P