Suze Returns in driver's seat for Rainbow Futurity

Suze Returns will be looking for the fifth win of her young career Sunday when she starts as the overall fastest qualifier in the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Futurity for Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs.

The Rainbow, at 400 yards, drew a field of 10. It is the second race in the prestigious 2-year-old series at Ruidoso, which started with the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity in June and concludes with the $3 million All American Futurity on Sept. 3.

There is a $2 million bonus for the owner of the horse who can sweep the three races, but it is no longer in play this year as Blue Corazon, winner of the Ruidoso Futurity, did not qualify for the Rainbow.

The first-place check in the Rainbow is worth $420,000.

Rainbow Futurity (Race 10)

KEY CONTENDERS

Suze Returns, by High Rate of Return

◗ She’s won 4 of 5 starts in her career, with her lone loss coming in the Ruidoso Futurity. Suze Returns finished second by a half-length, after winning three straight races up to the finale, including the Grade 2 West Texas Futurity in April at Sunland Park.

◗ Suze Returns avenged her Ruidoso Futurity loss with a two-length trial win for the Rainbow on July 7. She covered 400 yards in 19.74 seconds, the fastest time of 14 trials on the day, and of 28 trials overall for the Rainbow. The effort came on the second day of trials for the Rainbow.

“She’s doing awesome,” trainer Juan C. Gonzalez told publicity at Ruidoso. “She’s maturing a lot. She was always high-energy in the paddock and she was calm before the trial. I was a little concerned, but that shows how she’s matured.”

◗ Suze Returns was a $30,000 supplement to the trials for the Rainbow, according to Ruidoso.

◗ Jaime Leos has the mount from post 3 for owner Joe Rios.

Lethal Lil, by Corona Cartel

◗ She was the fastest qualifier on Day 1 of trials for the Rainbow, winning her 400-yard heat in 19.78. Lethal Lil led throughout, for a 1 1/4-length win in what was the third of 14 trials run July 6.

◗ Jose Alvarez rode Lethal Lil for the first time and has the mount again Sunday from post 8.

◗ Lethal Lil is a half-sister to past All American Futurity winner JM Miracle. She races for La Feliz Montana Ranch and is trained by Joel Valeriano Jr.