Fastest qualifier Baref Hurricane Rush delivered another winning performance Wednesday afternoon at Ajax Downs, capturing the $42,538 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity and extending her winning streak to two consecutive races.

Ridden by Corry Beland, the two-year-old filly overcame a slow start to secure a three-quarter-length victory over Bnb Jessagoldheart. Baref Hurricane Rush completed the 400-yard distance in :20.619 over a fast track, earning an 83 speed index.

Trained by Corey Illman, Baref Hurricane Rush is a homebred for Earl Foster. She is sired by Rushago and out of the Sugarman Perry mare Sugarnspicenotsonice.

Wednesday's victory marked her second consecutive win and improved her career record to 4-2-1-1. The $17,016 winner's share of the purse boosted her total earnings to $31,595. She entered the September 30 trials following a runner-up finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity.

Bnb Jessagoldheart turned in a game effort to finish second under jockey D. Benitez for owner and trainer Joe Tavares. The filly broke sharply and established an early lead before yielding to the eventual winner.

Bred by Rainee Browning, Bnb Jessagoldheart is a $5,500 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale graduate. She is sired by All American Derby (G1) winner Gold Heart Eagle V and out of the winning Apollitical Jess mare Jessa Clean Slate. The runner-up finish improved her career record to 4-0-1-0 and increased her earnings to $10,364.

Stellaaaa rounded out the top three with a strong third-place effort under jockey Ramiro Castillo for trainer Bob Broadstock. A homebred for Marie Broadstock, the filly is sired by San Lorenzo and out of the Stel Corona mare Get A Leg Up.

Stellaaaa now holds a career record of 3-0-0-1 with $8,402 in earnings. She began her racing career in July with a fourth-place finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity.

Had To Be Valiant finished fourth, followed by Cold Hard Chief, Snowy Goose, Imablazinrush, My Gypsy Girl, and Imperial Miracle. Whole Lotta Moxxie was scratched by the veterinarian.

The Alex Picov Memorial Futurity was contested at 400 yards for two-year-old Quarter Horses who qualified through the September 30 trials.

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B Cause Ima Hero SI 105, a Grade 1 stakes-placed son of leading sire Valiant Hero and currently ranked among the nation's top second-year Quarter Horse sires, will stand the 2027 breeding season at Royal Vista Ranch, LLC in Wayne, Oklahoma.

The young stallion, whose first two crops to race have already produced stakes performers in both Quarter Horse and Paint racing, is also enrolled in the Fuego Stallion Incentive – Azul Flight, providing an additional incentive opportunity for breeders considering the son of Valiant Hero.

B Cause Ima Hero has established himself as a promising young sire, ranking seventh nationally among second-year sires by money earned as of October 22, 2026, with $302,746 Quarter Horse and Paint reported 2026 progeny earnings.

According to statistics updated October 20, his first two crops to race have produced 13 starters, eight winners, one stakes winner, and one additional stakes-placed runner, with lifetime progeny earnings of $591,550. His Quarter Horse runners have averaged $45,504 per starter, with an Average Earnings Index of 2.92.

Leading his performers is MW Bcause Im First SI 104, a daughter of B Cause Ima Hero out of Blazen Alena, by Favorite Cartel. The multiple stakes-placed filly has earned $317,738 from four victories and finished second in the New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity (RG2) and third in the Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Derby (RG3).

Another standout is MW Bcause Im Alive SI 82, a colt out of Pistol Grippin Gal, by CRM Livewire. The Grade 1-winning Paint runner has earned $107,424 from three victories, including the Speedhorse Graham Paint and Appaloosa Futurity (G1). He also finished second in the Victoria Ennis Memorial Stakes (G2).

Other leading performers include MW Heart Of A Hero SI 87, a two-time winner of $70,287; MW Wishyouhadahero SI 92, a two-time winner of $64,019; and Dansing Queen SI 105, winner of the Cherry Creek Futurity (R) and $32,425.

B Cause Ima Hero's offspring have also attracted attention in the sales ring. During the 2026 yearling sales season, five of his yearlings sold for a combined $93,000, averaging $18,600 with a median price of $12,500.

A Grade 1 Stakes-Placed Racehorse

B Cause Ima Hero compiled an impressive racing record of four wins, three seconds and two thirds from 14 career starts, earning $197,555.

His most notable performance came with a runner-up finish in the Texas Classic Derby (G1). He was also a finalist in the Rainbow Futurity (G1), Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Derby (RG2), Remington Park Juvenile Stakes (R), Ruidoso Invitational Stakes, and All American Quarter Horse Invitational Stakes.

Bred from one of the industry's established female families, B Cause Ima Hero is by Valiant Hero SI 105, the Grade 1-winning son of First Down Dash, who earned $668,633 and captured the Texas Classic Futurity (G1).

Valiant Hero has sired 67 stakes winners and three champions, with progeny earnings exceeding $33.1 million. His leading runners include two-time champion Feature Hero ($1,418,960), champion Ima Fearless Hero ($1,062,435), and Grade 1 winners Houdini ($1,223,198) and First Valiant Sign ($1,053,844).

B Cause Ima Hero is out of Jess B Mighty SI 98, a stakes-winning daughter of Mr Jess Perry who earned $63,104. She is also the dam of stakes winner B Leaving SI 99 ($262,736), Jess B One SI 103 ($258,911), and stakes-placed Jess Let It B SI 104 ($186,279).

His second dam, Mighty B Doll SI 103, produced several notable runners, including Mighty B Valiant SI 99 ($543,968), winner of the Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Futurity (R), and Mighty Invictus SI 102 ($303,137), winner of the Dash For Cash Derby (G1).

Fuego Stallion Incentive – Azul Flight

B Cause Ima Hero's participation in the Fuego Stallion Incentive – Azul Flight adds another dimension to his 2027 breeding season at Royal Vista Ranch.

With his early success as a sire, Grade 1 racing credentials, and proven pedigree, B Cause Ima Hero offers breeders a young stallion whose offspring have already demonstrated the ability to compete in major stakes company.

Breeders interested in B Cause Ima Hero's 2027 breeding season may contact Royal Vista Ranch, LLC for information on availability, breeding contracts, and applicable incentive opportunities.

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All-time leading money-earning Quarter Horse Kj Desparado added another Grade 1 victory to his remarkable career Saturday night, holding off a determined Stetsonn by a neck in the $290,375 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The 7-year-old gelding, sent off as the 6-5 favorite, completed the 440 yards in 21.063 seconds, earning a 98 speed index over a fast racing surface while facing a 4-mph headwind.

Ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. for trainer Wesley T. Giles, Kj Desparado broke sharply from post six, established an early advantage, and maintained a narrow lead through the stretch. Under a strong drive, the veteran champion turned back Stetsonn's challenge to secure the $133,573 winner's share.

The victory increased Kj Desparado's career earnings to $3,617,850, further extending his position as the richest racing American Quarter Horse in history.

Owned by John Lee, Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares, Kj Desparado is a 7-year-old brown gelding by leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Tres Veses, by Tres Seis. He was bred in Arizona by L&L Land & Cattle.

Saturday's victory improved his career record to 19 wins, 11 seconds, and one third from 38 starts.

Kj Desparado's extraordinary racing career includes victories in the All American Futurity (G1), Texas Classic Futurity (G1), Ruidoso Derby (G1), All American Derby (G1), Texas Classic Derby (G1), All American Gold Cup (G1), and two editions of the Refrigerator Championship (G1), among other major stakes.

His latest championship triumph added another prestigious title to a career that has spanned five racing seasons and established him among the sport's all-time greats.

Stetsonn, a 4-year-old gelding by champion Jess Good Candy, turned in a determined runner-up performance, finishing a neck behind the winner and earning $58,075.

Breaking from post seven under champion jockey James A. Flores, Stetsonn raced prominently throughout, dueling with the winner before narrowly missing in the final strides.

Trained by Dean R. Frey for owners G. R. Carter Jr. and Shaena Carter, Stetsonn is a home bred for the Carters. He is out of Stella Lou, by One Famous Eagle.

Stetsonn was an $18,000 RNA at the 2023 Ruidoso Yearling Sale.

The gelding has compiled five wins and one second from 10 career starts, with earnings of $201,029. His accomplishments include a victory in the Remington Park Championship Challenge Stakes (G2), along with finalist appearances in the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and Remington Park Derby (RG1).

Scoops Dynasty completed the trifecta, finishing another half-length behind Stetsonn to earn $29,038 for owner Edward J. McNelis.

The 7-year-old gelding, ridden by Jacob Enriquez for trainer Diego Cervantes, raced in fourth early before advancing into third and holding that position by a neck.

Bred by Edward J. and Von Zae McNelis, Scoops Dynasty is by five-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty out of Bye Sweet Girl, by Dashin Bye.

An accomplished Grade 1 winner himself, Scoops Dynasty has earned $844,725 from 36 career starts, recording 11 wins, nine seconds, and four thirds.

His stakes victories include the AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), two editions of the Go Man Go Handicap (G1), Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1), and Golden State Derby (G2).

Hooked N Gone finished fourth, a neck behind Scoops Dynasty, followed by Mysterious Cartel in fifth, Bold N Beautiful in sixth, Eagles Up in seventh, Bee A Freight Train in eighth, Shaundas Eagle in ninth, and Shakers No Secret in tenth.

The championship highlighted Saturday night's AQHA Racing Challenge Championship program at The Downs at Albuquerque, bringing together some of the nation's most accomplished older Quarter Horses.

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La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC's Lightning Vaquera, the fastest qualifier from 14 trials contested October 3, heads a competitive field of 10 juveniles in Sunday's $1,164,150 Golden State Million Futurity (G1) at Los Alamitos Race Course.

The 400-yard championship, the nation's second-richest futurity contested so far in 2026, features several accomplished Grade 1 performers, including Ed Allred's Faultless, Johnny Trotter's Cartel Cowgirl 123, and Dale Winterton's Nuclear Arsenal.

Lightning Vaquera, a daughter of Flying Cowboy 123, delivered the surprise performance of the trials, winning the 14th and final heat in :19.892 to secure the fastest qualifying time.

Trained by Manuel Rodolfo Rodriguez, the filly entered the trials winless in two previous starts at The Downs at Albuquerque. However, following a sharp 220-yard gate workout at Los Alamitos, she responded with a dominating performance at odds of 13-1.

Breaking sharply from the inside post, Lightning Vaquera quickly established a 1¼-length advantage before cruising to her first career victory. She covered the final 110 yards in :09.59, the fastest closing split among the top two qualifiers.

Rodriguez credited the filly's improvement to patient handling and additional gate preparation. Owner Javier Rodriguez said the connections remained confident in her ability despite earlier setbacks in New Mexico.

Lightning Vaquera drew post 10 for Sunday's final.

Demler Quarter Horses' Revenantly, a $115,000 Heritage Place purchase by A Revenant, posted the second-fastest qualifying time of :19.938 in the opening trial.

Trained by James J. Gonzales II and ridden by Joseph Belloc Jr., Revenantly broke sharply from post six and drew away to win by three-quarters of a length. His time stood as the fastest of the evening until Lightning Vaquera surpassed it in the final heat.

Revenantly, who previously finished third in an All American Futurity trial behind finalist Happy Flying Bird, will start from post five Sunday.

Rodriguez will saddle four finalists, including third-fastest qualifier Luxury Sin Tacha, a gelded son of Dulce Sin Tacha who stopped the clock in :19.971.

Owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Tabasco Racing, Luxury Sin Tacha was purchased for $120,000 at the Heritage Place Sale. Ridden by 2025 AQHA champion jockey Luis Martinez, the gelding overcame a slow beginning in the 13th trial to record his first career victory.

Luxury Sin Tacha drew post four.

Rodriguez's other finalists are MRB Racing LLC's Jess Loaded (:20.052) and Jess B Boujee (:20.059), both gelded sons of Apollitical Jess. Jess Loaded finished third behind Revenantly in the opening trial, while Jess B Boujee qualified with a runner-up effort in his heat.

They drew posts three and eight, respectively.

Among the leading challengers is Ed Allred's homebred Faultless, a colt by Golden Boi who qualified fourth-fastest in :19.995.

Trained by Scott Willoughby and ridden by Gabriel Lara, Faultless brings one of the strongest Grade 1 credentials into the final after finishing second by a nose in the Ed Burke Million Futurity (G1) earlier this season.

Faultless overcame a less-than-perfect beginning in his Golden State trial before closing strongly to win by half a length. He covered his final 110 yards in :09.63.

Willoughby credited improved gate schooling for the colt's performance and believes a clean break will be important in Sunday's championship.

Faultless drew the rail.

Allred, Quarter Horse racing's all-time leading owner, will be seeking his third Golden State Million victory. His previous winners were Way Maker in 1989 and The Partys On Fire in 2009, the latter in partnership with Tom Seibly.

Gentry Farms and Jackpot Farms' Kentucky-bred filly Fearless Family qualified fifth-fastest for trainer Juan Aleman and jockey Martin Arriaga.

Johnny Trotter's Cartel Cowgirl 123, a finalist in the Rainbow Futurity (G1), earned another major championship opportunity with a victory in the second trial.

Trained by James J. Gonzales II, Cartel Cowgirl 123 has won three of her four career starts.

Steve Burns' Zero Down qualified seventh-fastest for trainer Mike Casselman, while Dale Winterton's Nuclear Arsenal secured the eighth qualifying position for trainer Paul Jones.

Nuclear Arsenal, a colt by Inspyre, has been one of the season's more productive yearling purchases. Acquired by Winterton for $20,000 at the 2025 Heritage Place Sale, the colt has qualified for the Ed Burke Million Futurity (G1), Golden State Million Futurity (G1), and PCQHRA Breeders Futurity (G2).

He also finished third in the Ed Burke Million Futurity and has earned $132,220 while winning three of eight career starts.

The Golden State Million Futurity has a distinguished history, with past winners including Merridoc, Sgt Pepper Feature, Dashingly, Tolltac, Ah Sigh, Be A Bono, Tres Seis, Tres Passes, Higher Fire, and J Fire Up.

The Golden State Million Futurity is one of the premier events of the Los Alamitos Quarter Horse racing season, with Sunday's championship bringing together a combination of established Grade 1 performers and promising newcomers seeking their first major stakes victory.

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