HOBBS, NM—SEPTEMBER 22, 2019—Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity finalist Sure Fire Quick surged clear by two-lengths under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez Saturday afternoon to post the top qualifying time for the $300,000-est. Hobbs America Futurity(G2) at Zia Park.

The son of champion sire Walk Thru Fire completed his 400 yard task in :19.592 seconds, a 96 speed index with a 10 mph tailwind, in the third of nine trials to get the top qualifying mark.

Trainer Jesus Carrete saddled the sorrel gelding to his second win in six starts this season for owners Ricardo Bernal and Reymundo Resendez.

Bred in Texas by Melissa Miller, from the Mr Jess Perry mare One Quick Jess, Sure Fire Quick broke his maiden in the Rainbow Futurity trials last summer then finished seventh in the $1 million-dollar final after brushing at the break. He has earned $44,440.

Cd Better Be First, a New Mexico-bred son of leading sire First Down Dash, broke his maiden under Ricky Ramirez in the sixth trial to get the second fastest time of :19.607 seconds, a 96 speed index with a 10 mph tailwind.

Juan Esquivel conditions the sorrel colt for owner Daniel Ramirez. Vessels Stallion Farm LLC bred Cd Better Be First from the Separatist mare Better Tobe Separate. He finished off-the-board in the three previous races, trials for the West Texas, Ruidoso and All American Futurities.

Ramirez also qualified All American Futurity(G1) finalist Badhabit Jess in the final trial for owner La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC. All American Futurity winning trainer G. Blane Wood conditions the Mr Jess Perry gelding out of Sheza Bad Habit by Looking For Chicks.

Bred in Louisiana by Grant Farms, LLC, Badhabit Jess has compiled a (5) 2-1-0 record and banked $116,760 this season.

All American Futurity(G1) winning jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. gote the first of two Hobbs America Futurity qualifiers aboard the Favorite Cartel gelding Kr Cracker Jack, following a a neck win over Swearengen in the second trial.

It was the second win in five starts for the bay gelding owned by Arnulfo Valdez and Mario Lujan. Also trained by Valdez, Kr Cracker Jack recorded a :19.618 clocking with a 10 mph tailwind to get the third fastest time.

Sally and Dave Kidd bred the colt in Colorado from the Separatist mare Kr Dragonfly. He broke his maiden at Ruidoso in June and has earned $11,266.

Leading sires Mr Jess Perry and First Moonflash and third-crop sire One Dashing Eagle sired two finalists each.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will compete for a portion of the $300,000-est. final on October 7th.

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