Jlb Eye The Tiger, under jockey Christian Cardenas, defeated Don Chuy Jr to set the fastest time in the $230,000-est. New Mexico Breeders' Futurity Friday afternoon at SunRay Park.

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FARMINGTON, NM–MAY 3, 2024–Jlb Eye The Tiger scored a half-length win in his career debut Friday to post the fastest qualifying time for the restricted Grade 2 New Mexico Breeders' Futurity at SunRay Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the six trial races contest today, will return to the Northwest New Mexico racetrack on Saturday, May 18 to vie for the winner's share of a $230,000-est. purse going 350 yards.

It was speed all the way under jockey Christian Cardenas as Jlb Eye The Tiger completed his task in :17.392 seconds, equaling a 94 speed index into a 12 mph crosswind.

Trainer James J. Gonzales III conditions the $7,500 Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Sale graduate for owner Rene Salgado. Annette A. Benavidez bred the colt by leading third-crop sire Eye Am King from the Royal Shake Em mare Gw Tiny Tiger. Jlb Eye The Tiger earned $4,200 for this first career win.

Bumped hard between horses at the break, runner-up in race 1, Don Chuy Jr still finished three-quarter lengths ahead of the field in the fastest trial to earn the second-fastest qualifying time of :17.485 seconds, a 92-speed index.

Still a maiden after two starts, Don Chuy Jr races for owner-trainer and breeder Jaime Aldavaz, Sr. Emilio Tapia had the riding call aboard the Don Chuy C gelding out of Regal La Ree by A Regal Choice.

New Mexican Spring Futurity(RG2) winner Pavel raced to his third consecutive win in the second trial to record the sixth-fastest clocking of :17.527, a 90-speed index into a 12 mph crosswind.

Jockey Luis Martinez had the riding call aboard the Czar Cartel Mv gelding for owner-trainer Jorge Luis Sanchez, Jr. MRB Racing LLC bred the $178,866 earner from the Tempting Dash mare Camelia. Pavel sold for $6,000 in the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale last August.

For the complete list of New Mexico Breeders' Futurity qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys CLICK HERE.