Wave Her Down gives connections meaningful win in Ed Burke Million Futurity

The 2-year-old filly Wave Her Down remained unbeaten after three starts with a neck win in Sunday’s $1,060,000 Ed Burke Million Futurity for Quarter Horses at Los Alamitos, the track’s first seven-figure race of the year.

The win left winning owners Jeff and Kim Pitcher and trainer Paul Jones fighting emotions. Wave Her Down was originally owned by former California Horse Racing Board commissioner John Sperry, who died last December. Sperry bequeathed Wave Her Down to the Pitchers in his will.

The Pitchers manage Jones’s ranch in Norco, Calif. Sperry had horses with Jones for decades, including several stakes winners.

Wave Her Down was ridden by Cody Jensen in the 350-yard race. After a clean start, Wave Her Down led by a neck over Striver after the first 100 yards. Wicked Affair, the 6-5 favorite who won the Kindergarten Futurity on May 20, closed well to pose a threat in the final yards. Wave Her Down held the lead to win by a neck over Wicked Affair in 17.57 seconds.

Jess Macho Corona, a 17-1 outsider, finished third in the field of 10.

Wave Her Down ($13) earned $428,400 and has earnings of $435,115 in her career. Jones said the filly will be rested until the fall when she is nominated to several futurities.