Jess Significant ran 350 yards in :17.66 on Friday, May 23, to top 119 entrants, spread over 12 races, in the trials for the G1 Ruidoso Futurity. The 10 fastest qualifiers are eligible for the $500,000 stake to be contested on June 8 at Ruidoso Downs.

Trained by Carl Draper, Jess Significant made her debut at Sunland Park with two wins, including her West Texas Futurity trial. She then finished sixth at 5-1 odds in the Grade 1 West Texas Futurity. The Mr Jess Perry daughter, owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch, was a $130,000 purchase at last year’s Ruidoso Select Sale.

“She’s really a nice filly and we expected her to do well,” said Draper, who also saddled the second fastest Ruidoso Futurity qualifier, Misty Blue Mercedes.

A $27,000 purchase at the Ruidoso Select Sale, Misty Blue Mercedes, owned by Lola Willis and Sheryl Cox, qualified for the G1 West Texas Futurity, but broke her bridle and finished last wearing a substitute bit.

Jockey Bonifacio Perez had the mount on both Jess Significant and Misty Blue Mercedes Perez. Draper also sent out All American Futurity winner Heartswideopen on Saturday to top the trials to the G1 Ruidoso Derby.

Ruidoso Futurity qualifiers