Jlc Payso Ed, under jockey Luis Ruiz, setting the fastest time on Night 1 of the $150,000-added Sam Houston Futurity(G2) trials.

© Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX–MAY 13, 2022–Two-year-old Jlc Payaso Ed broke his maiden tonight at Sam Houston Race Park while posting the fastest qualifying time on the first of two nights of trials for the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity.

The five fastest qualifiers from tonight will join the five fastest from Saturday’s 10 trials on Saturday, June 4^th to contest the $700,000-est. final going 300 yards.

In a strong drive under jockey Luis Ruiz, Jlc Payaso Ed defeated fellow qualifier Jess Sea Louisiana by three-quarters in the third trial. His 17.051 clocking, into an 8 mph headwind, equaled a 90 speed index and set the bar on Friday night.

Joel Cantu conditions the altered son of Strawflys Eagle for owner Omar Mireles. Jlc Payaso Ed was a making his first start since an off-the-board performance his career debut, a trial for the Louisiana Downs Futurity March 13.  John Louis Chamberlain bred the chestnut gelding from the Game Patriot mare Bt Flair.

"We got him in December and felt he was going to be a good runner," said Cantu. "The second time we worked him from the gates, he broke well and then smoked them when he worked in company."

Louisiana Downs Futurity(G2) winner Ponte Trucha was an impressive 1-1/4 length winner under jockey Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco in the opening trial to post the second fastest clocking of :17.107 seconds into an 8 mph headwind.

Owner Armando Cortez paid $18,000 for the son of champion Duponte at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale last September. Josue Huitron trains the bay gelding from the Apollitical Jess mare Apollitical Dasher.

Bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto Inc., Ponte Trucha has compiled a (3) 2-1-record and banked $155,530. His dam is a sister to champion and leading sire Apollitical Blood.  This is the family of three-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty.

The aforementioned Jess Sea Louisiana held on to the third fastest clocking of :17.190 seconds, after finishing second in the fastest trial. Owner Eleazar Martinez, Sr. paid $30,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale for the son of The Louisiana Cartel.

Raul Galvan saddled the brown gelding out of Jess Sea, by Mr Jess Perry. Fourth in the Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) last March, Jess Sea Louisiana has earned $33,386 in three starts. Grant Farms, LLC is the breeder.

Rinc, a $42,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate, posted the fourth fastest time of :17.310 seconds off a second-place effort to Ponte Trucha in the opening trial. Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. conditions the son of champion/champion sire Tempting Dash for owner TYKHE Racing LLC.

Bred by Billy Dan Dodd, from the Feature Mr Jess mare Jess Amy, Rinc sold under the name Billy Munfree in the TQHA sale last July.

Mooning Deluxe, a $44,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, broke his maiden in the second trail to set the fifth fastest time of :17.316. Under jockey Bryan Candanosa, the son of champion Moonin The Eagle posted a three-quarter length win into an 8 mph headwind.

Trainer Jorge Mendoza saddled the Louisiana-bred colt for owners Sergio and Bertha Ortega. Also bred by Grant Farms, LLC, from the Corona Cartel Corona Deluxe, Mooning Deluxe is a half-brother to seven black type including stakes winners Eagle Deluxe and Country Boy Deluxe.

For a list of Friday’s five qualifiers to the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston's premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston.  The Park offers a variety of attractions including our Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the racetrack and accommodating groups from 20 to 300 people, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner's Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club.  For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit shrp.com.