Fernando Fonseca-Soto guides Tahitis French Kiss to a half-length victory in the second of two Mile High Futurity trials on Friday at Arapahoe Park.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

AURORA, CO—JULY 31, 2026–Tahitis French Kiss posted the fastest qualifying time from two trial heats contested Friday at Arapahoe Park for the $79,000 Mile High Futurity. The ten fastest 2-year-olds from the 400-yard trials will return for the finals on August 16.

Ridden by Fernando Fonseca-Soto, Tahitis French Kiss captured the second trial for trainer Haley Hobbs, overcoming an early pace duel before taking command and holding off a late rally to win by one-half length.

The homebred filly for Francisco Cornejo stopped the clock in :20.167, earning a 90 speed index, the quickest mark of the afternoon.

The Colorado-bred daughter of Kiss My Hocks out of the Wave Carver mare Tahiti Wave entered the trials off a runner-up effort in the Cherry Creek Futurity and is seeking her first stakes victory.

With Friday's win, she improved her career record to six starts, three wins and two seconds, while increasing her bankroll to $37,545.

Bye Bye Monday rallied from the outside post after veering outward at the start, closing strongly through the final yards to finish second by one-half length while recording the second-fastest qualifying time.

Ridden by Mark Jasso for trainer Fernando Ivan Manriquez, who co-owns the filly with Paul Tonderum, the daughter of Cyber Monday out of Jess Say Bye Bye by Spit Curl Jess covered the distance in :20.231 with an 89 speed index.

Bred by Hubert Locklear, she is still seeking her first career victory but has now compiled a record of five starts with one second and two thirds, earning $4,789.

Jess Easter Candy secured the third-fastest qualifying time after breaking sharply to lead early before drifting out in the stretch and settling for third, just three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

Ridden by Cristian Aguirre-Erives for owner Arnoldo Sotelo Perez and trainer Hipolito Michel-Valverde, the gelding completed the 400 yards in :20.271, earning an 88 speed index in just his third lifetime start.

Bred by Debbie Strebig, the $8,000 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale graduate is sired by champion and All American Futurity (G1) winner Jess Good Candy and out of the Big Daddy Cartel mare Sanngria, a half-sister to champion Astica ($411,623), the dam of world champion Asscher ($489,674). His second dam is champion Alice K White ($276,837).

The opening trial was won by Mucho Carino, who broke on top, withstood pressure throughout, and held on by a head in :20.504 while earning an 82 speed index. Ta Ka Ta Ka finished a head back in second with an 81 speed index, while Last Regard closed from off the pace to finish third with an 80 speed index.

The Mile High Futurity Finals are scheduled for August 16 at Arapahoe Park.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE.

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