Thermistor hopes to keep Texas flag flying over Gold Rush

Thermistor will attempt to become the third straight Texas invader to win the $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity on Sunday.

He will face local stakes winners Da Grump and A J Samurai and Iowa shipper Fortified Effort in the closing-day feature at Arapahoe Park in Aurora, Colo.

The Gold Rush is for 2-year-olds at six furlongs. It will share a card with the $30,000 Arapahoe Park Quarter Horse Futurity, which drew Indomable Cartel, a winner of his last three races including the Cherry Creek Futurity at Arapahoe.

Thermistor last raced at Lone Star Park near Dallas and had his final work for the Gold Rush at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, the same pattern Texas Chrome (2015) and Bling On the Music (2016) followed prior to winning Colorado’s richest race. J.R. Caldwell, who trained Bling On the Music, co-owns and trains Thermistor.

Gold Rush Futurity (Race 10)

KEY CONTENDERS

Thermistor, by Frost Giant
Beyer: 56

◗ He made his debut a winning one July 15, when he darted to a 3 3/4-length victory in a maiden special weight at Lone Star. Thermistor led throughout as the favorite and the Beyer Speed Figure of 56 that he earned is the best career number in the Gold Rush.

◗ Thermistor worked five furlongs in a bullet 59.80 seconds Aug. 5 at Remington, his final move for the Gold Rush. A number of stables that were based at Lone Star, which closed July 30, have since moved to Remington, which opens Aug. 25.

◗ Caldwell co-owns Thermistor with Mojo Racing Partners. The horse’s dam, Sinister Quill, placed in three stakes and as a 2-year-old was 2 for 2.

◗ Thermistor was bred in New York.

◗ Danny Sorenson has the mount from post 2.

Da Grump, by Daaher
Last 3 Beyers: 39-19-30

◗ He became a stakes winner in his first attempt last out when he darted to a 4 1/2-length victory in the $42,000 Silver Cup Futurity on July 29 at Arapahoe. The win came over open company, one start after Da Grump won a maiden special weight for Colorado-breds July 7.

◗ Da Grump is out of the mare Kranky Karol, a stakes winner who earned $190,689.

◗ Da Grump will break from post 5. Trainer Kenneth Gleason has given the mount to Jake Barton.

A J Samurai, by First Samurai
Beyers: 32-47

◗ Gleason trainee is undefeated in two starts, winning his debut against Colorado-breds by 6 1/2 lengths June 17, defeating Da Grump. A J Samurai then became a stakes winner in the Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association Futurity on July 9.

◗ A J Samurai will break from post 6, under Karlo Lopez.