Harken (#6) and jockey Sergio Becerra, Jr.) hold off Eye Im Flashin (#4) in the $351,484 Mountain Top QH Futurity (RG2) at Ruidoso Downs Sunday afternoon.

© Victoria Garcia / Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE 16, 2024–Harken, a two-year-old New Mexico-bred gelding, held off a closing field of horses to win the $351,484 restricted Grade 2 Mountain Top Futurity by a nose at Ruidoso Downs Race Track on Sunday.

"I was peaking over to my left and thought we had them," jockey Sergio Becerra Jr. said in the winner’s circle. "I'm fortunate to have some experience with this horse—I knew he was capable of the win."

Harken won the Mountain Top Futurity over Eye Im Flashin and jockey Jacob Enriquez at the wire, paying $16.80, $11.40, and $6.80 in a time of 17.765 seconds for 350 yards.

The gelding is sired by Eye Am King out of the mare Donelli by Big Daddy Cartel. It was a second win in three lifetime starts for the youngster trained by Marco Flores for owner Earnesto Soto.

Soto purchased Harkin from breeder MJ Farms for $145,000 at the 2023 Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Sale.

Tungsten Racing Partnership's Eye Im Flashin veered in at the start under jockey Jacob Enriquez and had to settle for a second-place payday worth $64,724. Tony Sedillo trains the Eye Am King gelding out of Startedwithawhisper by First Moonflash. Paul Cervantes is the breeder.

Lovely Lady Mae, a $35,000 repurchase at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale, finished 2-1/4 lengths behind the leaders for third. Trainer James J. Gonzales III named jockey Christian Cardenas to ride the Jet Black Patriot filly for owner Whiskey River Racing. Copper Spring Ranch NM LLC bred the bay filly from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Loveurlieineyes. She earned $35,958 for the effort.

Completing the Mountain Top QH Futurity field were Suspicious Runner, Three Finger Jack, Mendel, Leftie, Javys Interest, and Big Jessie. Bv Bridgette Cartel was scratched.

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Live racing resumes on Friday, June 21st, with a 10-race card. The first post is 1:00 p.m (MDT).