Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino will host 32 trials over two days, Friday and Saturday, for the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Rainbow QH Futurity on June 27 and 28.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE 24, 2025–The prestigious Grade 1 Rainbow Quarter Horse Futurity trials are set to light up the summer racing calendar at Ruidoso Downs with two full days of high-stakes action on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28.

Each day features a series of 16 trials at 400 yards for 2-year-olds, with the five fastest horses from each day earning a coveted spot in the $1,000,000 Rainbow Futurity final on Sunday, July 13.

A $100,000-guaranteed Rainbow Juvenile Stakes will also be contested, offering a second chance for the next five fastest qualifiers from each day.

First post time on both days is set for 11:00 a.m. (MDT).

A noted absence from the weekend's trials is the nation's #1 leading money earner, Grade 1 $1,000,000 Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1) and $365,27 West Texas Futurity(G1) winner, Political Twist.

His connections announced June 11 (see related story) that they were expecting to skip the Rainbow trials and point to the $3.5 million All American Futurity (G1) in August. Undefeated in four starts, the La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Ray Willis, owned son of leading sire Apollitical Jess, earned $603,017.

Rainbow Futurity Trials Day 1 – Friday, June 27, 2025

Effortless Favorite (2-1) in Race 3 leads the contenders on the first trial day. Trained by Jason Olmstead for owner Tom Maher, Richard L. Tobin, and Bill Maher and ridden by Raul Ramirez Jr., the daughter of Favorite Cartel out of Effortless Chic by Corona Cartel enters off a nose win in the $1,116,000 Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity at Remington Park.

Bred by Wallace Johnson, the $67,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduates' brilliant 93-speed index from that race stands as one of the meet’s top efforts. She dead-heated with Apollo Revenge in the Heritage Place final but remains undefeated in three starts with $363,138 in her bankroll.

In Race 5, Its A Good Valentine (5-2), a son of Good Reason SA out of A Dash of Sweet Heat by Mr Jess Perry, returns following a sharp win in the $100,000 Ruidoso Juvenile Stakes.

Trained by Fred Danley for owner William E. Robertson and bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox, the $90,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate has shown tactical speed and the ability to finish strong. Bryan Candanosa retains the mount after guiding him to victory last out. He has earned $82,211 in four starts.

Russ Gus (2-1), entered in Race 7, brings back class credentials as the runner-up in the $1,000,000 Ruidoso Futurity (G1). Trained by Xavier Rodriguez and owned by Daniel G. Miranda., the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess was bred in New Mexico by Mark and Fay Annett McCloy, will again team up with jockey Luis Martinez.

His sharp 93-speed figure from the Ruidoso Futurity makes him a standout. The $160,000 Heritage Place Yearling graduate has earned $186,000 in two starts.

Race 9 features Maverykk (2-1), an unbeaten son of four-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty out of A Pollitical Phoebe by Apollitical Jess, trained by Mike Joiner and ridden by Francisco Calderon. Jordan and Walt Wiggins and Lindsey Cheek are the breeders.

Owned and bred by Lucky Ladies, the $90,000 Heritage Place Futurity graduate won his only start in a Remington Park Futurity trial with a commanding performance, showing maturity beyond his experience.

Rainbow Futurity Trials Day 2 – Saturday, June 28, 2025

The Day 2 action begins with Preying N Sinning (5-2) in Race 2. A gelding by leading first-crop sire Dulce Sin Tacha from the Panther Moutain mare Prey, he is trained by Alonso Amparan for owner 93 Ranch and will be ridden by champion jockey Ricky Ramirez.

Bred by Dr Steve Hurlbert, he captured the West Texas Juvenile and finished a game fifth in the G1 Ruidoso Futurity. Preying N Sinning is a $15,000 Heritage Place Yearling graduate.

Race 3 includes a compelling pair. Bp Hail Mary (2-1), trained by Dee Keener for owner Bill Price, is a daughter of Corona Cartel who won the Laico Bird Stakes (RG3) and was runner-up in the FL Lady Bug Stakes(RG3). Bred by Bill Price, she draws Jesus Ayala in the irons.

Good Blue Candy (3-1), trained by Jason Olmstead and ridden by Ramiro Garcia, was a finalist in the $868,000 Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Futurity (RG1). The Jess Good Candy colt is bred by his owner Hal J. Earnhardt III.

Lareda (6-1) lines up in Race 4 for trainer S. Trey Wood and owners E. Gene Bradley and Tod Bradley. The filly by by leading third-corp sire Flying Cowboy 123, bred by Jerry Windham, has qualified to both the G1 Ruidoso and G2 Oklahoma Futurities, showcasing consistency in top-tier company. She is a $300,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate.

A deep field in Race 8 includes Irish Dude (3-1), a son of Hes Relentless who finished third in the $100,000 Ruidoso Juvenile. Trained by David M Gomez-Barraza for owner CHR Racing and ridden by Mauro Salcedo, the $85,000 Ruidoso Select graduate is bred by Bollenbach Farms LP.

Faust (8-1), a runner-up in the $365,000 West Texas Futurity, adds further firepower for trainer Jesus Soto and owner Alepony, LLC. This Apollitical Jess colt will be piloted by Bryan Candanosa and was bred by MJ Farms.

In Race 9, Apolitical Valor (5-2) seeks redemption after a strong fourth in the Ruidoso Futurity(G1). The Apollitical Jess colt is trained by Clinton Crawford for owner MJR Investments, Ltd. and will be ridden by Jacob Enriquez. The $50,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling graduate is bred by Rancho El Cabresto Inc. He has earned $106,061.

Race 11 features the undefeated Famous N Relentless (5-2), a colt by Hes Relentless and trained by Jason Olmstead for owner Tom Maher and Amber Olmstead. Already a winner of the $100,000 Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Juvenile, the colt will be ridden by Ramiro Garcia and is bred by Maher.

In Race15, Jess Cartel Blue (7-2) brings top-level form as a finalist in the Ruidoso QH Futurity. Trained by John Stinebaugh for breeder-owner Pete A. Scarmardo, the Jess Louisiana Blue colt will again be partnered by Ali Rivera. He has earned $56,000 in three starts.

With a field this deep and talented spread over two competitive trial days, the road to the Grade 1 Rainbow QH Futurity promises excitement, emerging stars, and a final on July 13 that could be among the year’s most thrilling contests.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.