La Cuchara under jockey Jacob Enriquez, winning the $88,391 AQRA Turf Paradise Open Spring Quarter Horse Futurity Wednesday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 28, 2021 - In the second of two Quarter Horse stakes at Turf Paradise on Wednesday afternoon, La Cuchara won the $88,391 AQRA Turf Paradise Open Spring Quarter Horse Futurity.

Jacob Enriquez rode La Cuchara ($8.00) to a gate-to-wire, one-length victory from an outside post for trainer Eric Valenzuela. Her time of 15.608 in the 300-yard staked earned a speed index of 94.

La Cuchara is owned by Julie Schoenhofer and Maricela Vasquez. Paris Wixon bred the filly in Oklahoma, by secnod-crop sire Jess Good Candy and out of Ms Dashin Bigtime, by First Down Dash.

Undefeated in two career starts, La Cuchara also won her trial for Wednesday’s futurity and was the tenth fastest qualifier from six trials on April 6. Her career earnings to date total $46,278.

AQRA Executive Director Loretta Brasher (right) presents the winning connections of La Cuchara the AQRA Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity stakes trophy Wednesday afternoon at Turf Paradise. © Coady Photography

The two longest shots on the board, Apollitical Showoff and Wagon Coast, completed the trifecta.

Apolltical Showoff was fourth in her trial as the eighth fastest qualifier before hitting the board Wednesday at 35-1. Piloted by Emilio Tapia, she is trained by Wes Giles and is owned and bred by Darian Burt.

Apollitical Showoff is a Utah-bred daughter of Apollitical Jess, out of Covenant Confirmer, by Stoli.

Wagon Coast was the ninth fastest qualifier and won her trial. David Reyes-Frisby had the call in the final for trainer Norma Reyes and owner Juan Clark.

The 2-year-old filly by Pyc Paint Your Wagon was bred in Oklahoma by Valeriano Racing Stables LLC, out of Me Chickie, by Major Rime.

Completing the field were Kj Desparado, Thru My Eyes, Woman in Gold, New Year Secret, B in Excess and Im Flashy. Hs Hawk and Myy Stolin Moon were scratched.

Fastest qualifier B In Excess originally finished second but was placed eighth as a result of a stewards’ inquiry into the start of the race.