The Inside Track by Tim Keithley: Trainer Talk on the Ruidoso Futurity Qualifiers
Apolitical Redflash is the morning line favorite for the Ruidoso Futurity.
Trainer Comments on Futurity Qualifiers:
1.Favorite Blue Girl 15-1
*Second fastest overall time in Ruidoso Downs schooling works May 6-7 of 13.571 for 250-yards.
Trainer Jose Meraz, “She is a half-sister to a world champion named Blues Girls Too who won the Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos in 2007. They share the same mother (Run The Dash) so we have very high expectations for her. She may not like starting along the rail—but she has enough speed that if she breaks that shouldn’t be an issue.”
2. Elmer 9/2
*Fastest time in the trial races (both days) of 17.799 seconds for 350-yards.
*Trainer Jose Meraz is double-entered. Also has Favorite Blue Girl.
Trainer Jose Meraz: “The colt came back after the race perfect; still bouncing as if he wanted to go again,” Meraz said. “The La Feliz Montana Ranch feels proud to have qualified two for the final, and we are very excited to have the chance to race against some very talented horses. Elmer is the type of horse where nothing bothers him. He has a quiet demeanor until it’s time to race. His attitude is extremely positive about racing and hopefully winning.”
3. Apollitical Redflash 5/2
*Established as the morning line favorite in the Ruidoso Futurity.
*Won his trial by over two lengths—the widest margin of any finalist.
*Three lifetime starts with two money finishes and one win.
*Jockey Ricky Ramirez won the Ruidoso Futurity last year with Fernweh
Assistant Trainer Renee Wilson for Clinton Crawford: “We started him at Remington as a colt and had high expectations, but it seemed that we really weren’t getting as much out of him as had been anticipated. Then we gelded him, and it’s like a completely different racehorse. He’s focused on racing and not other things. He showed his talent in the trial in winning by over two lengths and he’s really eating and feeling good. He’s ready for Sunday.”
4. Cyber Monday 15-1
*Scored the fastest second-day time during Ruidoso Downs trial races May 7
*Won trial race despite “bobbled break” chartwriters’ comment—favored at .80-cents on the dollar.
*Jockey Sergio Becerra Jr. rides with six season wins including $25,000 Dash for Speed last Sunday.
Trainer Sergio Ibarra: “This colt has done everything right from the start. He trains well, he eats well and sleeps all day. His training race was the fastest time, and then he comes right back and looked like a champ in the trials. We’re happy to have Sergio (Becerra) ride him—he’s done a very nice job with preparation. This is a happy racehorse with tons of talent.”
5. Packsaddle Senator 5-1
*Three career starts with three money finishes
*Finished second to Jettz in her trial race
Trainer Gerald Reed: “I do believe the two Remington starts gave a an advantage going into the trials. It seems that little extra experience was paying off since so many horses hadn’t started until trial day. She tends to break a little slowly and then really start running toward the end—the more experience she gains the better she’ll break. We’re very excited about having her in the finals and expect her to run well. James Flores will ride—and he believes this filly can improve in the final.”
6. Speed Dynasty 30-1
* $150,000 Purchase at Ruidoso All American Sale
* Third-place finish to Elmer in the qualifying trial race (fastest of the 13 trials)
Trainer Fred Danley, “My horse was last by daylight when they left the gates in the trial. I didn’t think his mind was thinking about the break at the moment they sprung them. Then he started running and nearly caught the winner by the time they got to the finish line. He’s going to get better as the distances get longer this summer—he’s better suited for 440 yards.”
7. Misscandymountain 8-1
*Only horse to qualify from the number-one post position in the trials.
*Wearing a flipping halter in the starting gate.
*Trainer Joiner is double-entered in the Futurity final.
Trainer Mike Joiner: “We would trainer the filly by standing her in the gates and she would always act silly in there. So we really didn’t think she was very fast. Then we tried her with a flipping halter in the trials and it was like a light switched on for her. She left strong and it was an impressive win especially coming out of the one-hole. Let’s just put it this way—she’ll be wearing a flipping halter in the finals.”
8. Kj Daisy Duke 20-1
*Races for Giles barn that is currently first in trainer standings with 11 wins.
*Jockey Alan Hernandez is tied for the lead in jockey standings with 8 wins.
Trainer Wes Giles: “She’s a nice filly that just needs more experience before we can really see what she can do. She worked well in the spring and appeared to have some talent. If she can just get away from there without to much trouble then I think she’ll be competitive.”
9. Tuckk 10-1
*Qualified for the final during the first race on opening day.
*Co-Owned by a co-owner of Ruidoso Downs Race Track, Johnny Trotter.
Trainer Mike Joiner: “This is a big, strong gelding that has showed us talent from the beginning. I’m not sure that 350-yards will be his best distance—we think he’s more inclined to be a 440 horse but it’s early and we’ll have to see. We like him out there toward the outside to stay trouble-free—this youngster has tons of potential.”
10. Jettz 7/2
*Finish fifth in the Remington Park Futurity
*Jockey Francisco Calderon tied for top of jockey standings with eight wins
Trainer John Buchanan: “The horse looks more like a six-furlong thoroughbred than a quarter horse. Plus he acts like one too—very quiet in the stalls and he has sort of an attitude about himself. We really are happy to get the ten-hole for the final, and having Calderon in our corner is certainly a positive. If he breaks like we think he can he’s going to be tough to beat.”