Racing


Ruidoso Imports Dominate Black Gold Lads Championship Futurity Trials
Seven, under jockey Cody Smith, races to the fastest qualifying time in Sunday's Black Gold Lads Championship Futurity trials at Will Rogers Downs.

© Coady Photography
Ruidoso Imports Dominate Black Gold Lads Championship Futurity Trials

CLAREMORE, OK—OCTOBER 25, 2020—A pair of 2-year-old geldings coming off very successful meets at Ruidoso Downs over the summer posted impressive trial wins at Will Rogers today to get the top two qualifying times for the Black Gold Lads Championship Futurity.

The 2020 Black Gold Futurity program has been split into two divisions this year, one a 400 yard championship race for fillies and the other 400 yard championship race for colts & geldings.

Coming off a troubled effort in the $200,000 All American Juvenile in his last start, Seven rolled to a 1-˝ length win in the third trial today to post the fastest qualifying. Under jockey Cody Smith, the son of leading second-crop sire Kiss My Hocks clocked a :19.947 time for the 400 yards, equaling a 94 speed index to establish the top qualifying mark.

Trainer Clinton Crawford conditions the Grade-1 placed gelding for owner's Raymond Merrill and Gregory Cullum. The $42,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate has won five of seven starts to bank $134,808. He was third in the Rainbow Futurity(G1) to probable world champion Whistle Stop Cafe and Mister Illusion in July.

Turner Farms and Tommie Turner bred the sorrel gelding in Texas from the Mr Jess Perry mare Higher Fling. Seven broke his maiden in his first start at Remington Park in March and won all three of this triple-crown futurity trials over the summer at Ruidoso Downs.

Coming off a win in the $200,000 All American Juvenile at Ruidoso Downs in his last start on Labor Day, Eye Work For You, under champion jockey James Flores, was never in doubt while posting a one-length win in the opening trial. His :19.984 clocking, with a 6 mph tailwind, was the second fastest on the day and equaled a 93 speed index.

Trainer Edelmiro Carrizales saddled Jose Guzman's two-time stakes winner to his fifth win in seven starts this season. The son of champion sire Coronas Leaving You also won the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity(RG1) in April.

Bred in Oklahoma by Jose Acosta, Eye Work For You is out of the Mr Eye Openr mare Eye Love It. He has banked $486,412 this season

The ten-fastest qualifying colts or geldings from today's four trial races will face off in the 400 yard $183,700 Black Gold Lads Championship Futurity on Saturday, November 14th at Will Rogers Downs.

For the complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

* * * * * * * *

Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is located 3 miles east of Claremore on Highway 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab, or call (918) 283-8800.

For additional information visit CLICK HERE to visit the track's website.