Relentless American, ridden by Francisco Ramirez, Jr., wins the $358,864 Black Gold Futurity Championship [RG3] at Will Rogers Downs on Tuesday.

© Jack Coady Photography

CLAREMORE, OK–NOVEMBER 12, 2024–The fastest qualifier from the trials, Relentless American, returns to Will Rogers Downs on Tuesday to convincingly win the $358,864 Black Gold Futurity Championship [RG3].

With Ramiro Garcia in the irons, Relentless American took the lead at first call and kept it to the wire for a 1 1/2-length victory over Heavens Uncle and rider Bryan Candanosa. Relentless Purrsuit, piloted by Ramirez Francisco, Jr., crossed the wire 1 1/4-lengths behind the runner-up for third.

With a 20 mph tailwind, Relentless American clocked a 104 speed index in 19.555 seconds. The 400-yard victory paid $3.00 for the win.

The winning connections of Relentless American accept the $42,030 $358,864 Black Gold Futurity Championship [RG3] trophy at Will Rogers Downs on Tuesday. © Jack Coady Photography

The $143,546 winner’s payday boosted Relentless American’s lifetime earnings to $312,732, improving his almost impeccable race record to nine wins from ten starts. Today’s victory marked the third stakes win for the son of Hes Relentless, including the Remington Park Juvenile Stakes and Mystery Futurity. The only race he did not win was a fourth-place finish in the Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity.

Owner Tom Maher bred Relentless American in partnership with his brother Bill Maher. Leading trainer Jason Olmstead conditions the sorrel gelding out of Tritoon by Tres Seis.

Trainer Guillermo Valdivia saddled runner-up Heavens Uncle for owner-breeder Sherry Gilmore. The son of #2 leading freshman sire Uncle D earned $61,007 for his second-place effort, boosting the sire’s earnings to over the $1 Million mark.

Heavens Uncle has lit the board six of seven starts with $443,729 in the bank, including a victory in the Grade 1 Remington Park OK Bred Futurity. He is out of Heavens Assured by Streak And Dash.

Third-place finisher Relentless Purrsuit, also a son of Hes Relentless, has a record of 4-2-1 from nine starts and $92,720 in the bank. Jason Olmstead trains the homebred gelding for Charles and Elizabeth Horton. He is out of Redheads Run Hotter by One Sweet Jess.

Flying Wrangler, Nevada City, Relentless Rocket, Apolitical Seis, Apolitical Wagon, and Apollitical King round out the order of finish.

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