RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 4, 2015—The All American Triple Crown hopes for Ruidoso Futurity winner First Valiant Sign remain alive and jockey G.R. Carter Jr. won a stunning 10 of 32 Rainbow Futurity trials at Ruidoso Downs on Friday and Saturday.

There were 16 trials held on Friday afternoon and another 16 trials on Saturday afternoon. The horses with the five-fastest times on each day became eligible to race in the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Futurity on July 19.

The All American Triple Crown Bonus pays $4 million to the connections of any horse who wins the Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American futurities.

First Valiant Sign won the Grade 1, $750,00 Ruidoso Futurity under Larry Payne and then came back to put on an amazing performance with G.R. Carter in Saturday’s final trial to reach the Rainbow Futurity finals. The Valiant Hero son from the Mike Joiner barn got off to an awkward start when he broke in and was behind the very talented trial field. He then made an eye-catching rally in the last half of the 400-yard dash to grab third.

Owned by Scott Bryant, Joe Dee Brooks, R. Lee Lewis and Derrol Hubbard, First Valiant Sign raced to the third-fastest qualifying time of :19.689.

“He’s been training outstanding,” Carter Jr. said. “Justin (Joiner, son of trainer Mike Joiner) said that he’s, ‘Tough but honest.’ That’s what he is. He’s professional.”

Even-money favorite First Valiant Sign finished behind fastest-qualifier Roman Solider Cd, a 28-1 longshot, and Ruidoso Futurity runner-up Fine Oak Corona, the 6-5 second choice.

Roman Soldier Cd put up a time of :19.659.

James Marquez’s Roman Soldier Cd had only made one start, a second-place run in his Ruidoso Futurity trial, and made a big step forward in his trial. The Apollitical Jess son went to the lead and then withstood the challenges from the Grade 1 runners Fine Oak Corona and First Valiant Sign.

“I was glad when he drew into a tough trial,” trainer J.J. Gonzales II said. “He’s just a May foal. We took our time with him and it’s paid off.”

Roman Soldier Cd prevailed by a nose over Fine Oak Corona and it was a diminishing neck back to First Valiant Sign.

All-time everything jockey Carter Jr. had one of the most memorable two days of his hall of fame career. He won four trials on Friday and then added another six wins on Saturday. He was on three qualifiers on Friday and added another two qualifiers on Saturday. He qualified half of the Rainbow Futurity field.

“It has been amazing,” Carter Jr. said. “What has been fun is having a lot of success with a lot of different owners and trainers.”

Also a finalist in the $750,000 Ruidoso Futurity(G1) earlier this season, Fine Oak Corona is a son of Coronas Prospect racing for Jose Sanchez. Paul Jones trains with L.S. Martinez riding.

Desperate Daisy, a Carters Cartel filly owned by Brian Gunder, held the fastest qualifying time from the second until the final trial heat on Saturday. Brian Muse conditions the Stone Chase Stables, LLC Oklahoma-bred who was also ridden by G.R. Carter, Jr.

The final qualifying spot went to Mr Pyc To You, a Pyc Paint Your Wagon colt owned by the partnership of Jimmy Harrel, Howard Nichols, Denise and Ronald Van Amburgh. Trained by Paul Jones, he was a three-quarter-length winner in the 15th trial.

For the complete list of Rainbow Futurity finalists, their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

The second five fastest qualifiers from each day are preferred invites for the $50,000 Rainbow Juvenile Invitational. For a list of Friday's second five fastest qualifiers CLICK HERE.

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