Zoes Sassy Miracle, under jockey Julian Serrano, set the fastest qualifying time for the $45,000 North Central Quarter Horse Racing Association Futurity Sunday at Canterbury Park.

© Coady Photography

SHAKOPEE, MN—JULY 22, 2018—Just two weeks ago, Zoes Sassy Miracle could be found in the winner’s circle at Canterbury Park after her victory in the third race of the day, the $20,000 Mystic Lake Northlands Juvenile; on Sunday she found her way back to the same spot, in the same race number, after winning her trial to the $45,000 North Central Quarter Horse Racing Association Futurity.

With a final time of 17.699, Zoes Sassy Miracle was the fastest qualifier from four trials to the final 350-yard event on August 11.

Julian Serrano, also aboard in her last race, returned to ride again for trainer Mark Barnes. She was bred in South Dakota by her owners, Lowell, Lynn and Becky Husman. The Capo de Capi filly is out of Homemade Miracle, by Dean Miracle.

In four starts, Zoes Sassy Miracle has two wins and two second-place finishes; she debuted at Remington Park and broke her maiden in the Northlands Juvenile.

Zoes Sassy Miracle ($5.40) was the post-time favorite and defeated Apollitical Mogul at 11-1 by just a neck at the wire. Apollitical Mogul and Denny Velazquez landed on the list as the second fastest qualifier with a time 17.759.

Jason Olmstead trains the Apollitical Jess filly for owner Tom and Bill Maher. She was bred in Texas by Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC, out of the Corona Cartel mare Cash Cartel.

Apollitical Mogul is still a maiden in four career starts. She debuted at Remington in March before moving to Minnesota, where she put in a solid effort as the runner-up in a live race earlier this month.

The third fastest qualifier, Ive Got This, was third in the same trial with a time of 17.772. Leading rider Cristian Esqueda had the call for Olmstead and owner Summer Run Inc. The Minnesota-bred gelding was bred by Leo Butell, by Favorite Cartel and out of Lk Classy Perk, by Dash for Perks, making him a half-brother to graded stakes winner Hada Certain Charm.

The winner of the $146,400 Mystic Lake Northlands Futurity, the centerpiece of the Canterbury Quarter Horse stakes schedule, returned to win the fourth and final trial and qualify to her second career futurity. Jess Doin Time ($2.80) was the fourth fastest qualifier with a time of 17.889, winning in dominant fashion by nearly two lengths.

Minnesota-bred Jess Doin Time is owned and bred by Tom Pouliot. The Apollitical Jess filly is out of his Rare Form mare, Lenas Rare Lady, and is trained by Jason Olmstead; Cristian Esqueda had the call for Sunday’s trial.

Three different horses have won the three futurities offered this summer at Canterbury and each winner returned to qualify for the final. In addition to Zoes Sassy Miracle and Jess Doin Time, the winner of the $30,305 Minnesota Stallion Breeders’ Futurity, Bhr Flashing Effort, finished second in the first trial to set be the seventh fastest qualifier.

Bhr Flashing Effort is trained by Bob Johnson for owners Broken Heart Ranch, who also bred the gray 2-year-old colt in South Dakota. He is by Cs Flashlight and is out of the Shake It Special mare Bhr Missy Special.

For a complete list of NCQHRA Futurity qualifiers with their individual times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.