Sweet Fire Wes, ridden by Jacob Enriquez, wins the $61,880 AQRA Quarter Horse Futurity on Monday at Turf Paradise.

© Coady Media

PHOENIX, AZ–DECEMBER 23, 2024–Jockey Jacob Enriquez piloted Sweet Fire Wes to her third consecutive victory at Turf Paradise on Monday afternoon in the $61,880 AQRA Quarter Horse Futurity.

Sweet Fire Wes broke her maiden on November 12 by 1 1/4-lengths in a 300-yard race at Turf Paradise. The daughter of Panama Wes then won her trial heat to the AQRA Futurity, securing a spot in the finals with the third fastest time on November 30th.

Today, Sweet Fire Wes defeated post-time favorite Four Sweet Kind in a late gain for the win by a neck, clocking a 97 speed index in 17.537 seconds. The 350-yard upset paid $10.60 to win on 4-1 odds.

The winning connections of Sweet Fire Wes accept the $61,880 AQRA Quarter Horse Futurity trophy at Turf Paradise on Monday. © Coady Media

Conditioned by trainer Adolfo Armendariz Celaya, Sweet Fire Wes improved her race record to three wins from five starts, and the $30,940 winner's share of the purse boosted her earnings to $47,409.

Fernando Canales bred and owns Sweet Fire Wes in Arizona. She is out of the One Sweet Jess mare Sheza Sweet Fire, a half-sister to stakes winner Fj Blackdiamond, and from the family of champion Queen For Cash. Sweet Fire Wes is a full sister to Hes My Sweetheart, winner of this year's AQRA Turf Paradise Derby in May.

Trainer Diego Cervantes saddled runner-up Four Sweet Kid for owner-breeder Jose Aguilar Mendoza. Ridden by Oscar Andrade Jr, the son of One Sweet Jess was favored to win as the fastest qualifier from the trials but was caught at the wire for second.

Stakes winner Four Sweet Kid has lit the board four of five starts with two wins and $56,663 in the bank, including his Desert Classic Futurity victory in May. The Arizona-bred gelding is out of Loud Little Kid by Kiddy Up.

35-1 longshot Fancey Like, with Cerapio Figueroa in the irons, placed third a 1/2-length behind Four Sweet Kid. Trained by Matt Fales, the daughter of Heat Warning has yet to break her maiden from five starts and has earned $12,050 for owner-breeders Ralph and Carrie Fales. She is out of Jess One Looke by Jesse James Jr.

Tell America, Say Somthing, Ride Em Cowboy, Whiskey Talkin, Handywiththesteel and Jd Dash Jr complete the order of finish

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