Big Ted powers to the fastest qualifying time in the New Mexico Breeders Futurity (RG3) trials at SunRay Park on April 24.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

FARMINGTON, NM–APRIL 24, 2026– Big Ted delivered the standout performance of the night, posting the fastest qualifying time from six trial heats for the New Mexico Breeders Futurity (RG3) at SunRay Park. The finals are set for a return engagement at the New Mexico oval later this season.

Winning the second trial, Big Ted broke sharply and controlled the race from the outset, drawing off to a 1 1/4-length victory while stopping the clock in :17.219 seconds for 350 yards, earning a 98 speed index. The effort established the fastest time of the trials and solidified the gelding as a leading contender heading into the final.

Bred by Jaime Cervantes, Big Ted is owned by Tungsten Racing Partnership, trained by Eric Valenzuela and ridden by Jordy Soto Muniz. The gelding is sired by Grade 1 winner TF Im That Guy, a young sire with more than $1.3 million in progeny earnings, and is out of the Heza Motor Scooter mare Shez Jessa Scooter.

He now carries a record of 3-2-0-1 with $54,184 in earnings and is still in search of his first stakes victory after a third-place finish in the New Mexican Spring Futurity (G2) earlier this month.

Second fastest qualifier Royal Dynasty MRB also emerged from the same trial, finishing a clear second while stopping the clock in :17.431 seconds and earning a 92 speed index.

Bred by MRB Racing LLC, the filly is owned and trained by Jorge Luis Sanchez Jr and was ridden by Oscar Andrade Jr. She is by Grade 1-placed runner Running Buddy and out of the stakes-placed A Royal Jess mare Azara, a half-sister to graded stakes winner Pavel ($405,290).

The female family also includes champion Eagle Jazz ($903,649) and stakes winners Teller Baja ($464,317) and Baja Jazz ($156,763). A $4,500 Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale purchase, she now has a record of 3-1-1-0 with earnings of $19,825, most recently finishing as a finalist in the New Mexican Spring Futurity (G2).

Third fastest qualifier King Of The Jungle turned in a game effort to win the third trial by a neck, stopping the clock in :17.484 seconds while posting a 90 speed index.

Bred by MJ Farms, the gelding is owned by Melvin and Susan Neugebauer, trained by Wesley Giles and ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. He is sired by leading sire Eye Am King and out of the stakes-winning Bigtime Favorite mare Ms Jingles ($453,728).

King Of The Jungle is a full brother to graded stakes winner Bella De Ball ($634,374), from the family of world champion See Me Do It ($913,464).

View full list of qualifiers HERE.

The top qualifiers will return for the New Mexico Breeders Futurity (RG3) final on May 16, where Big Ted will look to convert his fastest qualifying effort into his first career stakes victory.

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