American Runaway lived up to his name today, as the fastest qualifier to the G1 Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. His time of 19.428 for 400 yards topped 180 contenders for 10 slots in the $625,000 Rainbow Futurity on July 25.

“He really struggled getting a hold of the track,” said rider Cody Jensen of the Ocean Runaway colt trained by Paul Jones, who also qualified three other horses. “He kept digging and digging. Then coming by the grandstand, I could feel him get up on top of the track and then wooosh.”

It was the third consecutive victory for American Runaway, who won his Ruidoso Futurity trial with the second-fastest 350-yard time ever recorded by a two-year old at the celebrated New Mexico track.

As the winner of the Ruidoso Futurity, should American Runaway claim victory in the Rainbow Futurity, all that will stand between him and the $4 million All American Triple Crown Bonus is a win in the $2 million All American Futurity on Labor Day.

Before joining the Paul Jones barn at Ruidoso Downs, American Runaway finished a close second in the Grade 1 Remington Park Futurity, beaten by Llano Teller, who was the third fastest qualifier in today’s Rainbow Futurity trails.

“We’re ready for it,” said trainer Heath Reed of Llano Teller’s Rainbow Futurity rivalry with American Runaway. “We just let him have a breeze and today he took to it like a champ.”

Llano Teller, by Teller Cartel, is owned by the Reed Land and Cattle Company and Wootan Racing. Reed also saddled Rainbow Futurity qualifier Rock N Zoom, who finished second to American Runaway in their trial.

American Runaway is owned by Sammy and Johnny Martinez, and Bobby Cox, who purchased half-interest in the colt following the Ruidoso Futurity trials.

Hes Too Icy For Me, the second-fastest Rainbow qualifier, gave jockey Jacky Martin, 55, his first G1 qualification since the seven-time All American Futurity winner returned last month from a 4-year prohibitive leave from racing.

Hes Too Icy For Me, a First Down Dash son trained by Carlos Sedillo for Robert and Dolores Gerhardt, was a $36,000 purchase in the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

The complete list of Rainbow Futurity qualifiers is American Runaway (:19.428), Hes Too Icy For Me (:19.491), Llano Teller (:19.548), This Corona Is Cold (:19.570), Bodacious Dash (:19.581), Classy Nicole (:19.621), Rock N Zoom (:19.623), Miss Barbra Allen (:19.660), Quik Corona (:19.688) and Dreams Fly Bye (:19.690).