Ruse Man Crystal Dominates $230,000 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity-RG2

Ruse Man Crystal drew away from her rivals Saturday night at Retama Park to score an impressive 2 1/2-length victory in the $230,000 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity (RG2).

Ridden by Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. for trainer Jose A. Garcia, Ruse Man Crystal broke on top and was never seriously threatened, completing the 350 yards in 17.518 seconds, earning a 106 speed index over a fast racing surface. The race was contested into a 7 mph headwind.

“I am very excited…one more… one more,” and Urieta said following the win." Asked what his strategy was with little time to prepare between back-to-back stakes victories, the jockey said "I focused on what I had to do. You have to do your job to the best of your ability and make as little errors as possible."

The victory was worth $92,523 for owner K K Horse Racing and increased Ruse Man Crystal's career earnings to $152,341. The sorrel filly has now won three of four career starts with one third. Earlier this season, she finished third in the Oklahoma Futurity (G2).

Ruse Ranch LLC bred Ruse Man Crystal in Louisiana from the leading third-crop sire Kj Mucho Macho Man mare Crystal Sola, by Walk Thru Fire.

Coronas First Cowboy rallied to secure second by a head, earning $46,230 for owner Antonio Mercado. Trained by Marc E. Jungers and ridden by Luis L. Vivanco, the colt has compiled five wins and one second from eight starts and has earned $143,577. He was also a finalist in the Sam Houston Futurity (G2) and Texas Breeders Futurity.

Bred in Texas by Paragon Farms LLC, Coronas First Cowboy is by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 from the champion.Corona Cartel mare Coronas First Diva.

DK Marney 123 finished another nose back in third and earned $23,115 for CH Horse Racing LLC. The filly is trained by Miguel Pizana and was ridden Saturday by champion jockey Francisco Calderon.

Bred in Mexico by Cuadra La Presita, DK Marney 123 is also by Flying Cowboy 123 from Marney Jo, by Corona Cartel. She has one win, two seconds and one third from six starts and has earned $38,402, including her third-place finish Saturday. She was previously a finalist in the Firecracker Futurity (G2) at Delta Downs.

Completing the field were Mallboro Rojo, Jet One Is Armed, Marvelous Marv, Valiant Hocks and Get Aggressive.

A stewards' inquiry was conducted following the start after the trainer of Valiant Hocks lodged a foul claim against Mallboro Rojo for interference. After reviewing the incident, the stewards made no change to the order of finish.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.