Ca Mental Cartel (#2), under jockey Ruben Chavez, won the $35,200 Charles M. Russell Futurity at Great Falls today.

© KJ Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GREAT FALLS, MT–JULY 27, 2025–Ca Mental Cartel, the fastest qualifier from the July 12 trials, delivered on her promise with a determined finish to capture the $35,200 Charles M. Russell Futurity at Great Falls today.

The 2-year-old gray filly surged late under jockey Ruben Chavez to win by a neck in the 300-yard dash, stopping the clock in 15.767 seconds over a fast track and earning a 90 speed index.

Bred in Florida by Lou Weaver, Ca Mental Cartel is by Mental Error and out of Lil Baby Eagle, a daughter of One Famous Eagle. She races for owner Lana Matt and is trained by Tryston Matt. The victory was worth $19,360 to her connections.

The winning connections of Ca Mental accept the Charles M. Russel Futurity stakes buckles. © KJ Photography

Chavez guided the filly from post 2 with a steady break, overtaking the early leader in the final strides to claim the win. She has a perfect 2-for-2 record and has earned $20,735.

Exagorazo, a Texas-bred gelding by third-crop sire Tarzanito out of Waveing of The Tee, by Wave Carver, finished a game second after breaking sharply and setting the early pace.

Ridden by Richard Birdrattler and trained by Josh Theurer, he races for Wookalar Outfitters and Jami Theurer. Bred by Carolyn Asmussen, Exagorazo earned $7,040 for the effort. He is a $14,000 purchase at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Make It Rayne, a $30,000 purchase from the 2024 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, rounded out the top three. The Louisiana-bred gelding by first-crop sire Cyber Monday out of Runawa Renee, by Mr Jess Perry, finished another neck behind the winner.

He races for Daisy Carlson and Linda Goggins and is also trained by Tryston Matt. Jockey Jossiah Bad Bear guided him to earn $3,520 in prize money.

Ca Mental Cartel returned $5.20 to win, $4.80 to place, and $5.00 to show. Exagorazo paid $7.00 to place and $5.20 to show, while Make It Rayne returned $4.20 to show.

The remainder of the field included Heartland Xpress in fourth, Mammazita and Moody Kid in a dead heat for fifth, and Midwest Eckspress in seventh. Rocky Returns was scratched by the stewards.

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