Two of Top Three From Spring Futurity Set For Mountain Top Trials at Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (May 29, 2011) – PK Bay and Sparking Royal, the second- and third-place finishers in the $120,000 New Mexican Spring Futurity, return to headline the eight trials to the $276,548 Mountain Top Futurity on Friday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

The Mountain Top Futurity trials are contested over 350 yards for New Mexico-bred 2-year-old quarter horses. They will be held as the first eight races on the 9-race program.

The Friday program starts the racing week which concludes on Monday afternoon. First post time is 1 p.m. with free parking and free general admission.

David Barrett and Sue May’s PK Bay nearly won the New Mexican Spring Futurity as the 3-2 favorite on April 10 at Sunland Park. The Brookstone Bay-sired gelded bobbled at the start of the race, but showed determination by sprinting to the leaders and grabbing second, just a short nose behind winner Osbaldo

In her career debut, her only other start, the member of the Fred Danley stable raced to a 1-length victory in her New Mexican Spring Futurity trial and was timed in a quick :14.878 time for the 300 yards.

Gary Kloppenburg’s homebred Sparklin Royal, a daughter of Sixes Royal, was also involved in the tight New Mexican Spring Futurity photo finish. The Carlos Sedillo-trained filly was overlooked at 30-1 in the wagering, however battled with the leaders and was just a nose behind PK Bay at the finish for third place.

Sparklin Royal raced to a second-place finish in her New Mexican Spring Futurity trial, finishing one length behind PK Bay.

PK Bay heads the second Mountain Top Futurity trial and champion jockey Jacky Martin will be up with the second post position.

Sparklin Royal drew into the sixth trial and has the second post position with Antonio Escareno aboard.

The weekend’s stakes action is highlighted by the best older sprinters in New Mexico competing in the $40,000 Free Spirits Handicap on Saturday afternoon.