By Martha Claussen

SELMA, TX—JULY 26, 2014—One year ago Louis A. Trey Malechek, III and Ben Frank Butler spotted a filly in the TQHA Yearling Sale. They conferred with their long time friend and trainer Leon Bard and signed a sale ticket for $8,000. Tonight they celebrated with a huge group of family and friends as Grey Daze won the $365,260 TQHA Sale Futurity.

The bay daughter of Captain Courageout of the Royal Shak Em mare Grey Lakes Girl was bred in Texas by Lukin Gilliland. She made her debut on March 14 at Sunland Park, finishing fourth and then qualified for the John Deere Juvenile Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park. She was the fastest qualifier in trials for the TQHA Sale Futurity on July 11, and did not disappoint as the favorite in the final.

Jockey Francisco Calderon has ridden her in each of her five starts and had confidence in his mount. Breaking from post position six, and despite a bobble out of the gate, she outkicked her rivals, covering 350 yards in :18.019, into a head wind of 20 mph, earning a speed index of 85.

"She is small, but has a huge heart," said Calderon. "Leon did a great job with her; she ran perfectly tonight."

Bard won the 2005 TQHA Sale Futurity with Silver Gol and was thrilled to be back in the winner's circle.

"She's fast and doesn't make any mistakes," stated Bard. "She's a really good filly."

Malechek and Butler are close friends and posed for pictures with their supporters and gave all the credit to Bard.

"Leon has done the best job in the world," said Malechek. "We all picked her out in the sale; it's a team effort with us and it really worked out."

Winless in four starts, Good Seis has posed four straight second-place finishes for trainer Rodolfo Sanchez. The Tres Seis gelding is owned by Ezequiel Araiza. Ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo Good Seis earned $80,357 for his runner-up effort. Omar Mascorro bred the bay in Texas from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Looking Good.

Terry Stennett's lightly race Favorite Eagle finished third in on his second career start. The One Famous Eagle gelding out of Favorite Energy picked up $40,149 under jockey Larry Payne. Trey Wood conditions the Burnett Ranches, LLC bred.

Completing the TQHA Sale Futurity field were Miss Corleon, What A Smooth Deal, Jmf Shazoomer, Sixes Down, Pay Me Diamonds, Hiclass Express and Royal Blue Jess.