Big Avery headlines Friday’s Restricted Grade 2 Mountain Top NM Bred QH Futurity trials at The Downs at Albuquerque as 106 New Mexico-bred juveniles compete for a place in the estimated $350,000 final.

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By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–MAY 27, 2026–The Friday afternoon card at The Downs at Albuquerque will showcase a full day of New Mexico-Bred juvenile talent, as 106 two-year-olds compete in eleven trial heats for a spot in the Restricted Grade 2 Mountain Top NM Bred QH Futurity. The first trial is scheduled for 1:30 PM, with all heats run at 350 yards as the young runners chase one of the ten fastest qualifying times into the estimated $350,000 finale.

Among the top contenders on the card is Big Avery, who returns in the eighth trial after competing in the Grade 2 $389,000 New Mexico Spring Futurity. The gelding previously impressed in his trial victory, overcoming early bumping and drifting out before drawing clear by one and a quarter lengths. He now looks to return to top form as a leading contender on Friday’s program.

The son of Big Daddy Cartel, out of the Kiss My Hocks mare Mi Bella Beso, was bred in New Mexico by Triple R Racing Stables, LLC. Big Avery races for owners Christopher Lykins, Conda Maze, and Downtime Enterprises, LLC. Trainer Clinton Crawford will saddle the gelding from post seven, with Jacob Enriquez returning aboard.

Trainer Trey Wood brings a strong group into the trials with six entrants, including two talented fillies who headline the fourth and fifth trial heats.

Pepa Jet enters the fourth trial as the 5-2 morning-line favorite after qualifying for the Grade 2 New Mexico Spring Futurity earlier this season. The filly displayed sharp early speed in her trial victory before finishing sixth in the futurity final, beaten by just one length. Her early performances and strong workouts continue to point to a promising future.

Owned and bred in New Mexico by Mark and Fay Annette McCloy, Pepa Jet is a daughter of Jet Black Patriot, out of the Jess a Chicks mare Pepaloni. Ricky Ramirez will ride from post ten on the outside as the successful trainer-jockey team seeks another trip to a futurity final.

In the fifth trial, stablemate Start Big enters as the 3-1 morning-line favorite after winning her debut trial for the New Mexico Spring Futurity. She later returned in the $100,000 New Mexico Spring Fling Stakes, where traffic trouble compromised her effort. Before her debut, the filly turned heads in the morning with several impressive workouts, including a bullet move in early March.

The daughter of Big Daddy Cartel, out of the Pappasito mare Start Somethin Bad, was bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms. Owner Tod Bradley purchased the filly for $200,000 at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale. She will break from the rail in post one, with Ricky Ramirez aboard.

Friday’s full slate of trials promises an exciting showcase of New Mexico’s emerging juvenile talent. The ten fastest qualifiers will return for the Restricted Grade 2 Mountain Top NM Bred QH Futurity, while the next ten fastest times will advance to the Guaranteed $50,000 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Juvenile. With a deep field of young runners entered throughout the afternoon, every heat could produce a future star.

The races at The Downs of Alburquerque can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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