by Jeremy Plonk
September 3, 2023
Monday’s $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs is the season’s most important American Quarter Horse Association race. Ten juveniles qualified over 32 trials on August 11-12, five each day, to comprise the field for the 440-yard final.
Horseplayers utilizing the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet platforms can take advantage 10X Wager Rewards Points when you bet any race on the Monday card at Ruidoso Downs. Post time for the All American Futurity, Race 10 of 12, will be 6:50 pm ET.
Let’s Meet the Contenders for the All American Futurity:
#1-Sandstone Mountain (Ricky Ramirez // Toby Keeton) 30-1
Qualifying time: 21.416 (Day 1 // fourth-fastest)
> One of three fillies in the final, she’s won two of three starts, including a Sam Houston maiden in April and a 2-1/2 length trial romp at Ruidoso. Trainer Keeton has an impressive four finalists, this the longest shot of the quartet in the morning line odds. Ramirez won the 2020 AAF aboard Whistle Stop Cafe.
#2-Dark Nme (Francisco Calderon // Santos Carrizales Jr.) 1-1
Qualifying time: 21.101 (Day 1 // first-fastest)
> Yet to be beaten in six starts, this Oklahoma-bred filly looks to add a third major futurity final this year after winning the Remington Park Futurity in April and the Rainbow Futurity in July, the latter over the track at Ruidoso Downs. Last three wins by unheard of 8-3/4 lengths combined margin and has never been tested within 1-3/4 lengths at the wire.
#3-Flyin Rabbit 123 (Juan Pulido // Toby Keeton) 20-1
Qualifying time: 21.454 (Day 1 // fifth-fastest)
> Filly snapped a three-race losing streak to open her career with a victory in the AAF trials by 2-3/4 lengths, likely appreciating the additional distance. Daughter of 2019 All American Futurity trial winner Flying Cowboy 123, whose first crop to race already includes winners of the Kindergarten Futurity and Sam Houston Futurity finals.
#4-Dashing Tres (Bryan Candanosa // Toby Keeton) 4-1
Qualifying time: 21.630 (Day 2 // second-fastest)
> The most respected of trainer Keeton’s foursome in terms of morning line odds, his second career start was a trial smasher by 2-1/4 lengths. Popped fast from the gate and dominated that one throughout.
#5-Corner Pocket 123 (Rodrigo Vallejo // Heath Taylor) 15-1
Qualifying time: 21.667 (Day 2 // fourth-fastest)
> Made his first Futurity final after unsuccessful bids in the Heritage Place and Rainbow trials, winning the latter by not in a sufficient time. Now 2-for-2 at Ruidoso after a couple of losses out of town, winning a throwdown every step of the way by a neck in the first race of the second trials day, the time holding up all afternoon.
#6-Cuz Lightyear (Ramon Sanchez // Toby Keeton) 15-1
Qualifying time: 21.706 (Day 2 // fifth-fastest)
> Veteran of all three legs in the Ruidoso Triple Crown series, he was unsuccessful in making the Ruidoso Futurity and Rainbow Futurity finals. Half-length runner-up in his AAF trial to Trane Station V and held onto the final qualifying spot despite giving way in the final stages. Son of the legendary late sire Corona Cartel, who won the All American Futurity consolation in 1996.
#7-Aj Precious Jewel (Luis Martinez // Xavier Rodriguez) 6-1
Qualifying time: 21.399 (Day 1 // third-fastest)
> Filly disappointed in the Ruidoso and Rainbow Futurity trials, but broke her maiden in her fourth start and stopped the clock fast enough in her most recent start to make the AAF final. Third to star rookie Dark Nme on trials day by two lengths, and a nose behind Devastating.
#8-Devastating (Jose Flores // Heath Taylor) 12-1
Qualifying time: 21.394 (Day 1 // second-fastest)
> Same jockey-trainer combo that won this 2022 AAF with Hes Judgenjury. No match second to All American favorite Dark Nme in their trial matchup, a race that produced three of the five finalists on the opening day of trials. Maiden has yet to win in four starts, two locally and two at Los Alamitos in May. Son of ’09 AAF fourth-place finisher Favorite Cartel.
#9-Cowboys Gun Z (Augustin Silva // Mike Joiner) 9-2
Qualifying time: 21.576 (Day 2 // first-fastest)
>Runner-up in unsuccessful Ruidoso Futurity and Rainbow Futurity trials, he broke through in his AAF trial to win by a length over the Ruidoso Futurity final’s third-place finisher. Son of 2019 All American Futurity trial winner Flying Cowboy 123, whose first crop to race already includes winners of the Kindergarten Futurity and Sam Houston Futurity finals.
#10-Trane Station V (Everardo Rodriguez // Santos Carrizales Jr.) 8-1
>Qualifying time: 21.645 (Day 2 // third-fastest)
The Rainbow Futurity final second-place finisher has hit the exacta in all four career starts and was a half-length trial winner over fellow qualifier Cuz Lightyear. Stablemate to favorite Dark Nme gives trainer Carrizales a powerful, one-two punch. Son of ’09 AAF fourth-place finisher Favorite Cartel.