Ochoa, with a time of :21.074 seconds, topped 245 two-year-olds in the August 18 trials for the 440-yard All American Futurity, to be held on Labor Day, September 5, at Ruidoso Downs.

Ten horses with the 10-fastest times from 26 trials will compete for a record $2.4 million All American Futurity purse, including a $1.2 million payout to the winner.

“They probably had me beat about one-half length, but I didn’t have to ask him – he did it easy,” said AQHA Hall of Fame rider Jacky Martin, who holds the record with seven All American Futurity wins, dating back to 1978 with Moon Lark.

Martin, 56, won seven of the 26 All American Futurity trials and in addition to Ochoa qualified three other finalists – Tee Cos, trained by Paul Jones; Denver Pass, trained by Blane Wood; and Mr Ease 123, trained by Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath, who also trains Ochoa for co-owners Jones (Johnny T.L.), Cluck, and Benson.

Ochoa, a $25,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate and third-place finisher in the $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity on June 12, made his third career start in the All American trials with an impressive late run, following a bumpy start, to win by one-half of a length.

“He’s a very fast horse and I expected him to run a good time,” said Gilbreath, who recently won his seventh Rainbow Derby with Cold Cash 123, who was also the fastest qualifier (:20.833 seconds) for the $1.3 million All American Derby, to be run on September 4 at Ruidoso Downs.

Gilbreath has won the All American Futurity twice – in 1983 with On A High and in 1990 with Refrigerator.

2011 All American Futurity Qualifiers