Firecracker Futurity winner Secretarysbestcard posted the fastest time in the John Deere Emerald Juvenile Challenge trials at Emerald Downs on Sunday.

© Vince & Linda Williams

AUBURN, WA–JULY 28, 2024–Firecracker Futurity winner Secretarysbestcard raced to her third consecutive win on Sunday while posting the fastest qualifying time for the John Deere Emerald Juvenile Challenge at Emerald Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Emerald Downs on Sunday, August 18, to vie for the winner's share of a $30,000-added purse going a distance of 350 yards.

Also at stake is an invite for the Emerald Juvenile winner to participate in the $125,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship(G2) at the Downs at Albuquerque during the AQHA Challenge Championship Night, October 26.

Ridden by jockey Jose Guerrero, Secretarysbestcard raced to a length win in the opening trial to post the fastest clocking of 18.140 seconds, an 84-speed index with a 5 mph tailwind.  It was the third win in five starts for the daughter of Docs Best Card.

Tiffani McDevitt conditions the Oregon-bred filly for owner JBC Stables. Jose Juan Baca bred the $37,860 earner from the Returning (TB) mare Chicks Wildcat. She won the Firecracker Futurity at Grants Pass Downs on July 4.

Stablemates Mr Royal Cartel and Eyez On Corona dead-heated in the second trial, clocking 18.470 seconds with a 5 mph tailwind to tie for the third-fastest time. The pair bumped at the start and battled throughout.

Trainer Hector Magallanes saddled Mr Royal Cartel to his first win in three starts for owner-breeder Ismael Villareal. Jaime Lopez rode the The Cartel Hawk gelding out of Miss Royal Rumble by Royal Shake Em.

After finishing fourth in the Firecracker Futurity, Eyez On Corona got his second career win in three starts for owner Alberto Renteria. Hector Magallanes also trained and bred the The Cartel Hawk gelding, which is out of Angel Eyez by FDD Dynasty. Santos Jimenez had the riding call aboard the $10,365 earner.

CLICK HERE for the list of John Deere Emerald Juvenile Challenge qualifiers, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

Editor's note: A photo of the fastest qualifier will be posted when it becomes available from the track photographer.