RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 28, 2019—Mark and Annette McCloy's Mister Riptide became a prime contender for the Grade 1, $3-million All American Futurity with a thorough domination of New Mexico-breds in the Restricted-Grade 1 $434,210 Zia Futurity on Sunday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

The Sunday program was the second of two days of Zia Festival racing at Ruidoso Downs. Each of the six stakes races on the Sunday program were for New Mexico-breds.

"He's sound and we're going to point him at the All American (Futurity) trials," trainer Trey Wood said. Those 440-yard trials will be contested on August 16-17 at Ruidoso Downs.

The Zia Futurity was over at the start. Mister Riptide started extremely well from the third post position while the horses on each side of him gave Mister Riptide plenty of racing room.

"He stood perfectly in the gate," jockey Ricky Ramirez said. "You couldn't ask for a better start. I asked him and he took off."

Mister Riptide crossed the finish line two-and-one-half lengths in front of $404,357 Mountain Top Futurity winner Colby James. Six Pack Fame was one-half length behind Colby James for third. The winner was timed in :19.687 for 400 yards.

The 11-10 favorite, Mister Riptide has been highly regarded by the Wood operation since his training began last fall on Blane Wood's operation in Lubbock, Texas. Blane Wood trained last year's All American Futurity winner Apocalyptical Jess and is Trey's father.

Mister Riptide, a $22,000 New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale purchase, started his career with a win in his Mountain Top Futurity trial and then sustained his only defeat when he was fifth in the Mountain Top Futurity.

A handsome gelding by Woodbridge, Mister Riptide came back from that defeat to establish the fastest-qualifying time of :19.483 to the Zia Futurity. He is out of the Ocean Runaway mare Ms Riptide.

Mountain Top QH Futurity(RG2) winner Colby James picked up another $78,158 for his runner-up effort to bring his bankroll to $327,355. Rodolfo Valles trains the son of Jesse James Jr for owner Rex Wells. Alan Hernandez was riding.

Six Pack Fame races for Diamond Racing Stables and trainer Jose Luis Muela. Sergio Becerra, Jr. rode the Jesse James Jr gelding out of Sandy June Bug by Blushing Bug. Third in the New Mexico Spring Futurity(RG2) earlier this year, Six Pack Fame earned $43,421 to nearly double his earnings to $93,284.

Jess Tequila Talkin, Blu Sunset, Zee Daddy, Major Regard and Honky Tonk Daddy. Flashing Moolah and Shes More were scratched.

MJ Farms bred the top three finishers in the Zia Quarter Horse Futurity(RG1) final.

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