Running Brook Gal, from the first crop of Brookstone Bay, stopped the clock at 17.638 seconds on Friday, May 22, as the fastest qualifier for the 350-yard $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity, the first leg of Quarter racing’s Triple Crown, to be run at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday, June 7.
The 1½ length win over a sloppy track with Kenny Muntz in the saddle, was a career debut for Albert and Chad Richard’s home-bred filly, trained by Paul Jones.
First Klas Fred had the second-fastest time from 17 trials with 17.691 seconds. The son of first crop sire Fredricksburg had previously finished fifth in the Grade 1, $300,000 West Texas Futurity. He is trained by Mike Joiner for Denis and Julie Schoenhofer, who purchased the gelding, bred by Jim & Marilyn Helzer, for $20,000 at the Eclipse Select Yearling Sale on August 8, 2008, at Lone Star Park.
Horses with the 10 fastest times from the trials became eligible to race in the finals on June 7. The winner’s share of the Ruidoso Futurity is $250,000.
The top money earner in the field, GBH Steppin Johnny, scored the biggest trial victory in the 11th trial with a 2¼ length win in :17.809 seconds. It was the Southern Cartel colt’s fourth consecutive win. The Jackie Riddle-trained gelding was ridden by Joe Martinez for Gary and Bonnie Harstack.
Ruidoso Futurity qualifiers are: Running Brook Gal (:17.638), First Klas Fred (:17.691), Sir Seth (:17.696), Jess So Sixy (:17.728), Shake Em Money Pop (:17.747), Swingin Daddyo (:17.764), Effortless Jessie (:17.784), Eyes On My Corona (:17.804), GBH Steppin Johnny (:17.809) and Jessy Jane (:17.847).
Paul Jones capped two successful trials days at Ruidoso Downs, when Brenda Beautiful (photo) topped all qualifiers to the 400-yard Ruidoso Derby in 19.465 seconds. It was the fourth consecutive win for the Feature Mr Jess daughter owned by R.D. Hubbard and Johnny T.L. Jones Jr.
The second-fastest Ruidoso Derby qualifier, Time For A Cigar, is owned by Mark Allen’s Double Eagle Farm, co-owner of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
Ruidoso Derby qualifiers are Brenda Beautiful (:19.465), Time For A Cigar (:19.474), Lake View Dreams (:19.488), Fasten Your Cuflinks (:19.538), Zoomin For Cash (:19.540), Cashinginmydreams (:19.540), Takeela Sunrise (:19.579), Little Rebas Corona (:19.654), Shaboomator (:19.690) and Mightys Last Call (:19.698).