Preview Racing

Home > Preview Racing>Laveen Eagle, Chasing AJ Return in Grade 1, $1-Million Ruidoso Futurity

Laveen Eagle, Chasing AJ Return in Grade 1, $1-Million Ruidoso Futurity
Undefeated AQRA President's Open Spring Futurity winner Laveen Eagle is one of 10 2-year-olds expected to face off in Sunday's $1 million Grade 1 Ruidoso QH Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.

© Jake Rogers / Ruidoso Downs
Laveen Eagle, Chasing AJ Return in Grade 1, $1-Million Ruidoso Futurity

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE, 2022–Stakes winner Laveen Eagle and fastest overall qualifier Chasing AJ headline Sunday's 350-yard, $1-million Ruidoso Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs.

An undefeated One Dashing Eagle colt trained by Rigoberto Guillen for owner Ricardo Ramirez, Laveen Eagle has earned $49,574 from three races, and his three wins include a half-length victory in the April 27, $73,912 AQRA President's Open Spring Futurity at Turf Paradise. Laveen Eagle drew post 6 and will be ridden by Emilio Tapia.

Chasing AJ made his career debut with a clear 1-1/2-length victory in the fourth of 15 Ruidoso Futurity trlals on May 27, the first of two days of trials. Heath Taylor trains the Apollitical Jess gelding and $95,000 purchase at last year's Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale for owner Steve A. Holt.

Chasing AJ drew post 7 and will be ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo.

The Ruidoso Futurity is the first leg of the Ruidoso Downs All American Futurity Triple Crown, which links it with the July 24 Rainbow Futurity (G1) and September 5 All American Futurity (G1). The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:
  1. Getthere Fast (Bryan Candanosa)
  2. Lota Hot Mess (Raul Valenzuela)
  3. Ride Around (Felipe Garcia-Luna)
  4. BV Higher Power (Ruben Castro)
  5. Hes Judgeandjury (James Flores)
  6. Laveen Eagle (Emilio Tapia)
  7. Chasing AJ (Rodrigo Vallejo)
  8. Otts Boy (Ramon Sanchez)
  9. Beneficial (Sergio Dominguez)
  10. Powerful (Sergio Becerra Jr.)

Sunday's co-feature, the 350-yard, $100,000 Ruidoso Juvenile Invitational Stakes, has drawn 12 2-year-olds, including two also-eligible entries.

Wirth The Wait, a son of One Famous Eagle trained by Fred Danley for owner J and SM Inc. of Fort Stockton, Texas, drew post 4 and will be ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. A $90,000 buy at last year's Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Wirth The Wait has won two of three races and has banked $21,003, and the gelding was a finalist in the April 3, $217,000 West Texas Futurity (G2) at Sunland Park.

All Ruidoso Downs races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.