Weekend Preview by Mike Ahrens: July 10 - 12, 2020

This weekend is forecast to be warm and loaded with regional horse racing as Friday we have 11 trials for the Zia Quarter Horse Futurity for New Mexico breds, Saturday has five trials for the Zia Quarter Horse Derby as well as the Regional Juvenile Challenge Stakes with preference given to finalists of the Rillito Park Regional Challenge Juvenile after their meet was canceled due to Covid-19, and Sunday features the division of that latter Regional Challenge Stakes for older horses. In addition, there are several thoroughbred maidens for New Mexico bred two-year-olds.

The Zia Futurity trials are noted for the absence of the Mike Robbins-trained Leading Cartel, winner of the Mountain Top Futurity for New Mexico breds earlier in the meet. That runner will instead point to the All American Futurity trials, which leaves the runner-up from that event one of the horses to watch. Woodys Gold, trained by Clint Crawford and ridden by Francisco Calderon, breaks from post five in the eighth race. The following race features Lunas Glitteringstar in post four, who had beaten Woodys Gold by a nose in the trial for the Mountain Top but was scratched from the finals the day of the race. Also in that event is Heza Classy Now, trained by Harvey Baeza.

All eyes on Saturday's Zia Derby trials will be pointed to Mr. Riptide in the third race. Last year's Zia Futurity winner and game runner up against open company in the All American Futurity, this three-year-old gelding was given time off after that event and has prepared for this with two very sharp workouts.