Racing


Audi Murphi Sets Top Mark In $173,700 Gillespie County Fair Futurity
Audi Murphi, under jockey Damian Martinez, setting the fastest qualifying time for the $173,700 Gillespie County Fair Futurity.

© Benjamin Partin / Cave Creek Studio
Audi Murphi Sets Top Mark In $173,700 Gillespie County Fair Futurity

FREDRICKSBERG, TX—AUGUST 13, 2017—Bobby Cox and Kristen Ashley Paredes' Audi Murphi broke his maiden Sunday in with an impressive 1-˝ length trial win to set the fastest qualifying time for the Gillespie County Fair Futurity in Fredricksberg.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from 98 two-year-olds who participated in 11 trial races, will return to Gillespie County Fairgrounds on Sunday, August 27th to vie for the winners' share of a $173,700 purse going 350 yards.

In hand under jockey Damian Martinez, Audi Murphi had no troubles as he completed the 350 yards in :17.820 seconds, a 95-speed index into a 10-mph headwind. The second trial was hand times due to a malfunction with the tracks timer.

Trainer Josue Ponce saddled the son of Valiant Hero to his first win in four starts this season. Bred in Oklahoma by Cox, Audi Murphi is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess A Lil Bit More. He has earned $5,645.

Jose Espinosa saddled Gianni Bailes to a nose win over Potus B in the sixth trial to earn the second fastest time of :17.912 seconds, a 93-speed index.

Gianni Bailes, owned by Luis Rodriguez, got a perfect trip under jockey Luis Ruiz. Bred by Jose, from the Valiant Hero mare Justa Dancing Queen, Gianni Bailes got his first win in four starts this season.

Potus B, a son of first crop sire Lota Pyc, held on for the third fastest time of :17.930 seconds, a 92-speed index. Ridden by jockey Damian Martinez, the sorrel gelding stumbled away from the gate but rallied to finish second for owner Brian Muse.

Josue Ponce conditions the Victory Farms Texas-bred out of Between Boyfriends by Mr Jess Perry. Potus B has compiled a (4) 1-1-0 record.

Jockey Damian Martinez qualified five of 10 finalists including the two aforementioned horses as well as 5th fastest Nsm Cherokee Warrior; 8th fastest Lions Express; and 9th fastest Alluringeyeopener.

Trainer Eusevio Huitron joined Josue Ponce with two qualifiers.

For the complete list of Gillespie County Fair Futurity qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Fdd Lajolla lost a shake to Hesa Royal Corona for the final qualifying spot in the futurity. The second 10 fastest are preferred invites for the Gillespie County Fair Juvenile. CLICK HERE for that list.