RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 1, 2021—Flashin Fire stumbled at the break and jockey Juan Pulido had to shift him to the outside but the son of champion sire First Moonflash got his neck in front of Cowboy Zulu at the wire Sunday to win the $3019,804 Zia Quarter Horse Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. Daddys Mony was another head back in a blanket-finish of the top three to get third.

"We got started behind so I made the decision right away to move to the outside," Pulido said after the race. "We were able to go around them and then we finally caught the ten-horse (Cowboy Zulu) just in time."

Flashin Fire scored his second consecutive win after coming into the Zia Futurity final as the fastest qualifier from 10 time trials contested on July 16th. The sorrel gelding completed the 400. Yards in :20.008, into a 4 mph headwind, to take home the winning purse valued at $134,318.

Santos Carrizales, Jr. saddled the winner for owner Jose E. Guzman. Bred in New Mexico by Donna McPherson and Mike Abraham, Flashin Fire is out of the Walk Thru Fire mare Episode Of Fire, a finalist in the 2010 All American Futurity(G1).

The second dam is the stakes winner Last Episode, the dam of Heritage Place Derby(G1) winner Heza Bold Man. This is the immediate family of West Texas Futurity(G1) winner and All American Futurity(G1) runner-up Eye Opening Episode.

Bettors made Flashin Fire the 3-1 second choice at the windows in the eleventh race. The horse paid $8.60, $6.20 and $4.00 in a winning time of 20.008 seconds for 400-yards

Out finished, Cowboy Zulu earned $57,565 for owners Fred Danley and Chuck Sonnenberg. Danley is also the trainer-and-breeder of the son of Zulu Dragon from the First Moonflash mare First Cowgirl. Noe Garcia, Jr. had the riding call aboard the $67,285 earner.

Julie Schoenhofer and Maricela Vasquez' Daddys Money earned $31,980 for third. The owners paid $34,500 for the daughter of leading New Mexico sire Big Daddy Cartel at the New Mexico-Bred QH Yearling Sale one year ago. Trainer Albert Valles named to jockey Adrian Ramos to ride.

MJ Farms bred the sorrel filly from the Jesses James Jr mare Jenna James. Second in the Mountain Top Juvenile in June, Daddys Mony has earned $45,387 in four starts.

Jess Ring The Bell who finished fourth was DQ'd by the stewards for interference and placed ninth. Completing the official order of finish were Wine Dont Lie, Azara, Long Pour, Renika, Tickle The Nickle and Jess Ring The Bell. First Feature was scratched.

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Racing action continues next weekend at Ruidoso Downs with thoroughbred and quarter horse racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Post time is 1 p.m. (MDT) each day.

Track activities next weekend will include the Chile the Kid Beer and Wine Festival Presented by City Bank which features New Mexico produced beer and wine crafters selling their products, fresh roasted green chiles from Hatch, music all day starting at noon, and numerous vendors located in a giant tent outside Billy the Kid Casino.

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For more information about the Ruidoso Downs 2021 racing schedule or to reserve your tickets and plan your visit, go to RaceRuidoso.com.