Ruidoso Downs will host 13 trials for the $350,000-est. Mountain Top Quarter Horse Futurity (RG2) on Friday's race card.

© Coady Media

By StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—MAY 26, 2025—A full slate of trials for the 2025 $350,000-est. Mountain Top Quarter Horse Futurity (RG2) will take place at Ruidoso Downs on Friday, May 30, showcasing many of the top New Mexico-bred two-year-olds over 350 yards.

With 13 trials on the card and only the ten fastest times earning spots in the June 16 final, Friday’s races promise a full afternoon of juvenile speed.

Among the most notable contenders are a group of promising runners spread throughout the trial card. Here's a look at the top contenders, grouped by race number.

In Race 5, King Of The Tide appears the one to beat off his impressive debut victory at Sunland Park, where he posted a 102 speed index while breaking his maiden. Installed at 5-2 on the morning line, the Eye Am King colt was a $130,000 Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale purchase and is trained by Trey Wood for owners E. Gene Bradley, Tod Bradley, and Garland Ware Brown.

His tactical speed and experience give him a strong edge in this heat. Champion jockey Ricky Ramirez is slated to ride.

Luxurie, a first-time starter listed at 6-1, has attracted plenty of pre-race buzz thanks to his pedigree and price tag. The Big Daddy Cartel–Astica gelding brought $300,000 at the Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale and will debut for trainer James J. Gonzales III and the ownership group of Triple R Racing Stables, Wallace Lynn Landrum, Ted Rushing, and Rancho El 48 LLC. His steady works suggest readiness.

Race 6 features $50,000 New Mexican Spring Fling finalist Dyna Mo Chimes (9-2). Eric Valenzuela trains the Rimes Chimes filly for owner Tungsten Racing Partnership and Carlos F. Paaez.

Moonlight Ember at 15-1, which may prove to be a generous price based on back class. The Big Daddy Cartel gelding won his March 15 trial with an impressive 95 speed index before experiencing a troubled trip in the NM Spring Futurity (RG2). Trained by Jorge Luis Sanchez, Jr. and ridden by Luis Martinez, Moonlight Ember is looking to rebound and reclaim his early-season momentum.

In Race 7, Czar Catrina tops the morning line at 2-1 and comes in off a 92 speed index from her maiden win at SunRay Park. The filly by Czar Cartel Mv is trained by Wes Giles for Ezra Lee and will be ridden by Noe Garcia, Jr.

Daddy Tungsten, listed at 8-1, also enters off a strong third-place trial finish in March. The Big Daddy Cartel gelding showed promise and will represent the team of trainer Eric Valenzuela and owners Tungsten Racing Partnership with Becerra expected to return to the saddle.

A loaded group is assembled in Race 8, led by Blues Bandit at 3-1 on the morning line. The gelding by Suspicious Interest finished second in his debut and appears to be moving forward under trainer Trey Wood for the owners Mark and Fay Annette McCloy.

Icy Cartel, the 6-1, also has solid experience and a career best speed index of 93 while qualifying for the New Mexico Spring Fling Futurity(RG2). Trained by James J. Gonzales III and ridden by Christian Cardenas, the Big Daddy Cartel filly will break from post five.

Jingle Wood, a 2-1 shot in this heat, has already competed in stakes company and is trained by Clinton Crawford for the partnership of Downtime Enterprises LLC, Christopher J. Lykins, and Melody Lykins. He was a strong runner-up in $50,000 New Mexico Spring Fling in his last start.

In Race 9, Highcardforapoke opens as the 5-2 third choice. The Rrelentless gelding is trained by Xavier Rodriguez for C. Bert Eldridge and is coming off a second-place finish in the $351,000 New Mexico Spring Futurity(RG2).

Champagne For Me, at 4-1, broke her maiden in March when she qualified for the New Mexican Spring Futurity(RG2). She comes into the trials with a steady work pattern for trainer Eric Valenzuela and owners Tungsten Racing Partnership and Pavon Racing, LLC.

Among the late races, Race 12 features Norvina at 5-2. The Woodbridge filly ran third in the NM Spring Fling Futurity and brings solid trial experience and sharp works into her third start at Ruidoso. Bred and owned by Gene Bradley and Tod Bradley she’ll be ridden by Ruben Castro for trainer Trey Wood.

The final heat of the day, Race 13, includes a promising pair in Alstarr and Tres Patriots. Alstarr is the 2-1 morning-line favorite and will debut for trainer Mike Joiner and owner Lucky Ladies. The Eye Am King gelding placed fourth in the Oklahoma Juvenile Stakes at Remington Park in March. Tres Patriots, listed at 3-1, brings a deep pedigree and is trained by Eric Valenzuela for Tungsten Racing Partnership and Len Stokes. The son of Jet Black Patriot's broke his maiden in March at Sunland Park and will be starting from post five under Jordy Muniz..

First post time for the trials is set for 1:00 p.m. (MDT) on Friday. With a blend of high-dollar sale horses, early race winners, and fast-working maidens, the Mountain Top Futurity trials are set to deliver a thrilling afternoon of racing and establish the top juvenile contenders in the New Mexico-bred ranks.

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

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