Cristom Runs Away with Fastest Qualifying Time in Zia Futurity Trials

Photo of Cristom by Jake Rogers, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – JULY 10, 2020 – Cristom saved the best for last today at Ruidoso Downs Race Track when he ran a blistering fast:19.764 in the 11th and final trial heat to capture the fastest qualifying time for the 2020 Zia Futurity. The $375,000 Zia Futurity, a Grade I stakes race for New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses, will be run at 400 yards on July 26th.

Cristom, a sorrel colt by Jesse James Jr. out of Alice K. White by First Down Dash, came into today’s race with only a single race on his resume. That did not seem to matter as the horse never faltered over the course and won by 2 ½ lengths. Owned by J & SM Inc. (Sue May et al) and Don and M. Lane Reynolds, Cristom hails from the barn of Fred Danley. The colt is a $150,000 Ruidoso Select Sale graduate.

“From the beginning, this has been a very nice colt,” said trainer Fred Danley. “We all got together and picked him out of the sale last fall, and the colt has done everything right.”

Jockey Noe Garcia, Jr., was aboard for the ride on a very hot day with relatively no wind. Garcia also won the day’s first trial heat on Out N Gone. 

“All I had to do was sit on him. I whistled and tapped him just to keep his focus because he was on the outside and was really all alone out there, so we were racing the clock as much as the other horses,” said Garcia. “It felt like we were going to qualify. I was more tired than the horse at the end.”

Until the last race, Vine Master, the 2020 Mountain Top Juvenile winner, was holding onto the fastest time with a:19.872. The sorrel gelding by Jesse James Jr. out of Tangled Vines by Dash Ta Fame, is owned by Cody Cobb and trained by James Gonzales. Sergio Becerra, Jr., who rode Vine Master to victory in the Mountain Top Juvenile, was the jockey today as well.

The sire of both Cristom and Vine Master, Jesse James Jr., had five winners on the day.

Other qualifiers include Fanncee (:19.917), Hatchi Zulu (:19.923), Ripp (:19.943), Jessies Allstar (:19.965), Hollyn Bootie (:19.975), Fly On Down (:19.980), Woodys Gold (:19.987), and True Romance (:19.991). 

See a complete listing of time trial results.

Racing continues all weekend at Ruidoso Downs. Saturday’s card features five trial heats for 3-year-olds looking to run in the Zia Derby on July 25th. Mister Riptide, the 2019 All American Futurity runner-up and 2019 Zia Futurity winner, will run in the 3rd race on Saturday.

Post time is 1:00 PM MDT on Saturday and Sunday. At this time, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club are limited to 50% capacity due to the Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico. Turf Club tables are currently available online for $50 for a table for four. For more information on how to watch online, place your bet with your favorite online wagering provider, or conduct drive-thru wagering locally, please visit RaceRuidoso.com