Tres Friends nips First Valiant Sign in Rainbow Futurity

Tres Friends surged to win the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Futurity by a neck over First Valiant Sign on Sunday and in the process dashed First Valiant Sign’s eligibility for a $4 million bonus. First Valiant Sign had to complete a sweep of the three most prestigious races at Ruidoso Downs to cash, and had one in the bag, the Ruidoso Futurity, and two to go, the Rainbow and the All American, entering the gate on Sunday.

But it was Tres Friends ($21.40) who spoiled the potential for a Triple Crown winner in the Quarter Horse world this year. He broke on top in the Rainbow and was prominent throughout to win his stakes debut. First Valiant Sign, who was bumped around at the start, rallied for second, with My Royal Wagson another neck back in third.

Tres Friends covered 400 yards on a track rated fast in 19.74 seconds. Ricky Ramirez was aboard for Terry Stennett and trainer Blane Wood.

Tres Friends was making his third career start in the Rainbow. He won his maiden July 3, when he set the fastest qualifying time for the Rainbow on the first day of trials. Tres Friends covered 400 yards in 19.55 seconds, which was the overall fastest time among the 32 trials held July 3-4.

Tres Friends is a son of Tres Seis and was bred in California.

There has been just one horse, Special Effort in 1981, to capture the Ruidoso, Rainbow, and All American futurities, according to officials at Ruidoso Downs.