Wr Deperado, under jockey Edwin Escobedo, posted the fastest time from 16 trials today for the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Rainbow QH Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 27, 2025—The opening day of trials for the prestigious Grade 1 $1,000,000 Rainbow Quarter Horse Futurity at Ruidoso Downs showcased a strong crop of talented two-year-olds vying for a spot in the July 13 final over 400 yards.

Wr Desperado emerged as the fastest qualifier from Friday’s 16 trials, stopping the clock in 19.582 seconds, a 93 speed index with a 4 mph tailwind, under jockey Edwin G. Escobedo.

The sorrel colt by leading sire Favorite Cartel out of the world champion mare Whistle Stop Cafe, by Freighttrain B, was bred in Oklahoma by Whitmire Ranch and is owned by Lainie K. and Raymond A. Whitmire.

Merkaba, under jockey Jacob Enriquez, won the trial 14 today at Ruidoso Downs. © Coady Media

"To be back in the winner’s circle again is amazing," co-owner Lainie Whitmire said. "This is a dream come true. I can’t believe it’s happening again."

The Michael W. Joiner trainee inched clear late to break his maiden in his second career start, defeating Sinnin Double by three-quarters of a length in the second trial of the day. In his only other start he finished a close second in a trial for the Heritage Place Futurity(G1) at Remington Park on May 9.

The Oklahoma homebred's dam, Whistle Stop Café, made her Ruidoso debut in the 2020 Rainbow QH Futurity(G1) trials. She ended her career with 10 wins in 10 starts include the Rainbow QH Futurity(G1), All American QH Futurity(G1), Heritage Place Juvenile, Rainbow Oaks and All American Oaks. She earned more than $2.3 million.

The second-fastest time of the day belonged to Merkaba, who posted a 19.641 clocking, 92 speed index with a 6 mph tailwind in the 14th trial.

Russ Gus, under jockey Luis Martinez, qualifying in the seventh trial today. © Coady Media

The gelding  by leading first-crop sire Dulce Sin Tacha out of Cartel Karma, by Corona Cartel, was bred and is owned by Paris Wixon of Oklahoma. Trained by Clinton Crawford and ridden by Jacob Enriquez, Merkaba drifted in slightly but held strong to secure his qualifying berth.

It was the first win in four starts for the 2-year-old who was second in his Ruidoso QH Futurity trial May 23 and sixth in the Remington Park Juvenile last April. He has earned $14,595.

Russ Gus, who sold for $160,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale, earned the third-fastest time, covering the 400 yards in 19.687, a 91 speed index with a 3 mph crosswind.

Sinnin. Double and jockey Christian Ramos return after finish second to fastest qualifier Wr Desperado in trial 2.
© Coady Media

The New Mexico-bred Apollitical Jess gelding is out of Rocket Seis, by Tres Seis, and was bred by Mark & Fay Annett McCloy. He races for owner Daniel G. Miranda, with Xavier E. Rodriguez handling training duties and Luis Martinez in the irons.

Russ Gus drew off handily to win his seventh trial heat by three=lengths. It was not surprise after his second-place finish in the $1-million Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1) in his last start, June 8. He has earned $192,000 in three starts.

Fourth-fastest qualifier Sinnin Double clocked 19.689, a 91 speed index, just fractions off the top three. The $70,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale repurchase is by champion Dulce Sin Tacha out of Double Down Darling, by Fishers Dash.

Rock Star Martini, under jockey Jesse Levario, won the trial 12 today at Ruidoso Downs. © Coady Media

A Texas homebred for owner's Bob and  Jerry Gaston, the gelding is trained by Marc E. Jungers. Jockey Christian Ramos rode him to a strong second-place finish behind fastest qualifier Wr Desperado.

The Gastons are also the owner-breeders of gelding's sire Dulce Sin Tacha, a two-time AQHA Racing Champion with earnings over $693,000. The leading first-crop sire of money earners has sired two stakes winners and 22 winners in his first crop, with earnings nearing $1 million. He was the only sire to get two into the top five today.

Rounding out the top five for Day 1 was Rock Star Martini, who crossed the wire in 19.720, a 90 speed index with a 7 mph tailwind, for owners Eric Pineda and Itzel Madrid.

The filly is by champion Jess Good Candy out of Martinis N Bikinis, by Red Storm Cat, bred in Oklahoma by J Garvan Kelly and J Lloyd Yother. Ricardo G. Armendariz, Jr. trains the promising filly, with Jesse Lee Levario up for the winning ride. A finalist in the West Texas Juvenile in April, she got her first win today and has earned $9,640.

The final for the Grade 1 Rainbow QH Futurity will be held on Sunday, July 13, with a purse of $1,000,000 up for grabs.

CLICK HERE for a list of today's qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

Saturday’s final round of 16 trials will determine the remaining five spots in what promises to be one of the most competitive futurities of the summer season at Ruidoso Downs.

The second five fastest qualifiers from each day of trials are preferred invites to the $100,000 Rainbow QH Juvenile lthat will also run back on July 13. For those horses CLICK HERE.

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