Space Cowwboyy is one of 44 juveniles entered to run in the La Fiesta Futurity trials on Friday at the Downs At Albuquerque.

© Ruidoso Downs

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–SEPTEMBER 23, 2024–Six La Fiesta Futurity trials and four La Fiesta Derby trials dominate Friday's 10-race all-Quarter Horse program at Albuquerque Downs.

Post time for the first race is set for 1:30 p.m. (MDT).

Fifty-four juveniles are entered in Friday's La Fiesta Futurity trials, with the ten fastest qualifiers from the 400-yard heats will meet in the October 20, $100,000 final. Fabian Muniz Porras' Karmalittes brings in a four-race win streak that includes victories in a pair of 350-yard stakes, the May 18, $215,000 Four Corners Futurity at SunRay Park, and the August 18, $153,000 John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge (G3) at Albuquerque Downs.

Karmalites drew post two and will be ridden by Emilio Tapia for trainer David Gomez-Barraza in the fourth trial.

Space Cowwboyy, a gelded son of Corona Cartel and a $55,000 purchase at last year's Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, is coming off of a Ruidoso Downs summer campaign during which he won two of his four outs, including the 350-yard, $100,000 Ruidoso Juvenile Stakes on June 9. David Gomez-Barraza trains Space Cowwboyy for owners Scott Branson and Jimmy Vasquez.

Space Cowwboyy drew post seven and will be ridden by Luis Martinez in the fifth heat.

Friday's 400-yard La Fiesta Derby trials have drawn 32 sophomores, led by Tempting Barbie. A sorrel daughter of champion Tempting Dash trained by Marco Flores for owner Vista Del Sol Inc., Tempting Barbie has earned $78,095 from five races this year, and her season record includes a second-place finish, a head behind winner One Little Liar in the March 2, $157,000 West Texas Derby G3 at Sunland Park. The filly was also a finalist in the July 28, $482,000 Rainbow Oaks (G1) at Albuquerque Downs.

Tempting Barbie drew post three and will be ridden by Jose Enriquez in the second trial.

The ten fastest qualifiers from Friday's four heats will meet in the $75,000-added final on October 20.

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