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Papaws Paint Slight Surprise in Grade 2 $214,966 Hobbs American Futurity
Papaws Paint, under jockey Bonifacio Perez, winning the Grade 2 $214,966 Hobbs American Futurity(G3) Sunday afternoon at Zia Park.

© Coady Photography
Papaws Paint Slight Surprise in Grade 2 $214,966 Hobbs American Futurity

HOBBS, NM—OCTOBER 8, 2017—Longshots prevailed Sunday when Papaws Paint (10-1) defeated Jessica Alexandra (18-1) by three-quarters in the $214,966 Hobbs American Futurity(G2) Sunday afternoon at Zia Park. Mr Perry Strong (11-1) finished a nose back for third.

Under jockey Bonifacio Perez, Papaws Paint edged clear while completing the 400 yards in :19.888 seconds into an 11 mph headwind.

Trainer Todd Fincher saddled the son of leading sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon to his fifth-career win for owner R H Resources.

Bred in Oklahoma by Ray Herring, Papaws Paint broke his maiden at Ruidoso in June then won trials to both the Rainbow and All American Futurities. His only loss came in the $200,000 All American Juvenile on Labor Day.

The winning connection of Papaws Paint accept the Hobbs American Futurity stakes trophy Sunday at Zia Park. © Coady Photography
Out of the Splash Bac mare Heavenly Trip, the brown gelding pocketed $103,184 in the Hobbs America final to bring his bankroll to $123,544.

Jessica Alexandra, a New Mexico-bred daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess, races for owner/breeder Joyce Erickson and trainer Donna McArthur. Champion jockey Ricky Ramirez rode the sorrel filly out Phoebe Wallingford by Southern Cartel. Also a finalist in the All American Juvenile, Jessica Alexandra earned $34,395 for her effort.

Ruidoso Juvenile winner Mr Perry Strong picked up $17,735 for this third-place finish. The son of leading sire Mr Jess Perry races for owner Licon Farm and Ranch LLC. Michael Joiner trains with Salvador Martinez riding.

Grant Farms LLC bred the gelding in Louisiana from the Strawfly Special mare Strength In Numbers. With a (6) 2-2-1 record, Mr Perry Strong has banked more than $65,000 this season.

Papaws Paint returned $21.20 to win, $13.40 to place in and $7.520 to show. Jessica Alexandra paid $17.40 and 15.00 and Mr Perry Strong returned $7.80 to show. The 9-7-5 $1 Trifecta paid $1,328.

Fastest qualifier and posttime favorite Phantom Fury hopped at the start and was forced in under jockey Jose Enriquez.

Apollitical Brooke, Flight Force, Brown Tres Seis, Ym Valentine, Dee Favorite Girl and Jess Shantastic completed the field.