Reagal Eagle, trained by Eduardo Gonzalez, topped hopefuls from 25 trial races last week at Ruidoso Downs for ten slots in the $1 million Rainbow Futurity. The son of One Famous Eagle covered 400 yards under jockey Larry Gamez in 19.242, on Thursday, July 4, the first of two days of trials.

Belle Helene, ridden by Ricky Ramirez, had the second-fastest time of 19.403. The Valiant Hero daughter, owned by Lana Merrick, is one of three qualifiers trained by Blane Wood. Fourth and sixth-fastest qualifiers MS First Prize Rose and BP Its My Policy are also trained by Wood and were ridden by Ramirez.

Reagal Eagle broke his maiden with his 1 1/4-length Rainbow trial win; he previously placed second in his Ruidoso Futurity trial and ninth in the West Texas Juvenile. A $17,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale purchase, Reagal Eagle is owned by Hahum and Rosella Prieto, El Paso, Tex. The Prieto’s claimed a $1 million winner’s purse in the 2003 All American Futurity with By By JJ, trained by Eduardo Gonzalez’s brother, Juan Gonzales, who trains Rocked Up, the third-fastest qualifier for the 2013 Rainbow Futurity.

Belle Helene, a $75,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale purchase, is out of the 2004 Rainbow Futurity winner, Thewayouwantmetoo. Owner Merrick is a granddaughter of legendary trainer and Quarter Horse breeder Walter Merrick.

This year’s $1 million purse is a record for the Rainbow Futurity, which will be run on Sunday, July 21, and awards a winner’s purse of $500,000.