Favorite Fire V, under champion jockey Francisco Calderon, posts the fastest qualifying time on Day 1 for the Rainbow QH Futurity.

© Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE 28, 2024–Homebreds took the top four of five spots on Day 1 trials for the $1-million Grade 1 Rainbow QH Futurity at Ruidoso Downs today. 

The five fastest qualifiers from 17 trials today will join the five fastest from another 17 trials on Saturday in the July 14 final at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino, vying for the winner's share of the million-dollar purse valued at $420,000.

Making her second career start, Favorite Fire V broke her maiden in the eighth trial to get Day 1's fastest qualifying time of 19.480 seconds, a 95-speed index with a 9 mph tailwind. 

Under pressure, the daughter of leading sire Favorite Cartel finished a neck in front of second fastest qualifier Ohana Spirit. Champion jockey Francisco Calderon had the riding assignment.

"She’s such a small filly that I was concerned she might get caught," Calderon said. "She left running and really kept her head down and did a nice job."

Trainer M. Heath Taylor conditions the bay filly for owner-breeder Valeriano Racing Stables LLC. Out of the Tres Seis mare Fire On Ice V, Favorite Fire V was second in her career debut, a trial for the Ruidoso QH Futurity on May 24. 

Favorite Fire V's dam, Fire On Ice V, is a half-sister to two-time champion Ocean Runaway and world champion Wave Carver. This is the immediate family of champion and leading first-crop sire Uncle D.

Aguila Rapida, under jockey Bryan Candanosa, qualifying in trial 12 on Friday at Ruidoso Downs. © Ruidoso Downs

Ohana Spirit, runner-up in the fastest trial, made her career debut for owner-breeder Gentry Farms and trainer John Stinebaugh. The daughter of champion Tempting Dash was bred in Kentucky from the Tres Seis mare Heartbeat. The Kentucky-bred filly clocked 19.856 seconds over the 400 yards, the second fastest time under jockey Ali Rivera.  

Ohana Spirit is a half-sister to three black types, including last year's champion 3-year-old filly Fearless Moon. The second dam is AQHA Dam of Distinction Fearless Freda by Dash For Cash.

Starting off a second-place effort in the Grade 1 $1-million Ruidoso QH Futurity in his last start, Aguila Rapida returned to the win tab in trial 12. Under jockey Bryan Candanosa, the son of champion sire Tempting Dash, led throughout to win by one length in 19.602 seconds, a 92-speed index, and the third fastest clocking on day 1.

Jockey Luis Martinez rode Little Vaquero to a 1-1/4 length victory in the trial 6 at Ruidoso Downs Friday.
© Ruidoso Downs

Leading trainer Toby Keeton saddled the gelding to his third win in four starts for owner Simmons Racing. Co-bred with Donnie Griffin from Dash For Cash Futurity(G2) finalist Eyema Eagle by One Famous Eagle, Agulia Rapida has earned $198,000. This is the family of All American Derby(G1) winner Chasing AJ.

Little Vaquero, a $135,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale repurchase for owner-breeder La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC, got his second win in as many starts in trial 6 to post the fourth fastest clocking 19.667 seconds, a 90-speed index with a 7 mph tailwind. 

Xavier E. Rodriguez trains the son of leading second-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 from the stakes-winning Corona Cartel mare Lethal Lil, who was also second in the Rainbow Futurity(G1). The second dam, Lethal Delight by Dean Miracle, is the dam of All American Futurity winner JM Miracle. Luis Martinez had the riding call.

Jockey Luis Martinez rode Space Cowwboyy to a two-length win the second trial on Friday at Ruidoso Downs.
© Ruidoso Downs

Ruidoso QH Juvenile winner Space Cowwboyy was a two-length winner in the second trial to get the final spot on day 1.  Jockey Luis Martinez rode the son of former leading sire Corona Cartel to a 19.672 clocking, a 90-speed index, for owners Scott Branson and Jimmy Vasquez. Trainer Juventino Ruiz saddled the $55,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate to his second career win in seven starts.

Also a West Texas Juvenile finalist, Space Cowwboyy has earned $61,939. Out of the thoroughbred mare Cluster Of Stars by Greeley's Galaxy, the bay gelding is a half-brother to Ruidoso Distaff Challenge winner and Grade 1-placed Valiant Stars. McColee Land & Livestock LLC is the breeder.

CLICK HERE for a list of Day 1's five fastest qualifiers, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys, for the Rainbow QH Futurity(G1). The second five-fastest qualifiers will come from Saturday's 17 Rainbow Futurity trials on Day 2.

The second five fastest qualifiers from each day of trials are preferred invites for the $100,000 Rainbow QH Juvenile that will also run back on Sunday, July 14. CLICK HERE for those horses. 

Racing continues at Ruidoso Downs on Saturday with seventeen races for Day-2 of the Rainbow Futurity trials with first post at 11 a.m. (MDT).