Record Grade 1 Racing Week Starts Friday With Thoroughbred Mountain Top Futurity Trials

RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (June 5, 2011) – The first major Grade 1 racing week of the Ruidoso Downs summer season starts on Friday afternoon with the three trials to the $136,425 Mountain Top Thoroughbred Futurity over five furlongs.

The top-three finishers in the three trials earn eligibility to the Mountain Top Thoroughbred Futurity for New Mexico-breds on June 26. The final spot in the futurity field will be determined by a blind draw from the three fourth-place finishers.

The first Mountain Top Futurity trial, running as the fourth race, should have Copper Top Futurity winner I Play Dirty as the overwhelming favorite. The Joe Dee Brooks-owned gelding scored a neck win in the Copper Top Futurity at Sunland Park after making a four-wide move through the stretch.

Trainer Todd Fincher will have Juan Ochoa aboard I Play Dirty with the third post position.

The second Mountain Top Futurity trial, the sixth race, features Copper Top Futurity fourth-place finisher Koufax meeting Scootonover, an impressive winner of his only start by nearly five lengths.

Koufax, trained by Henry Dominguez, has Alejandro Medellin up with the ninth post position.

The Fincher-trained Scootonover drew the fifth post position and will have Dusty Shepherd aboard.

The third Mountain Top Futurity trial, the eighth race, is highlighted by Copper Top Futurity third-place runner My Homey from the Papis Aladavez stable. The gelding was the 2-1 favorite in the Copper Top Futurity and set the pace until settling for third place.

Regular rider Jorge Martin Bourdieu has the mount with the sixth post position.

First post time is 1 p.m. with racing Friday through Monday weekly at Ruidoso Downs. There is always free parking and free general admission.