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World Record Holder Valiant War
Hero Tops Entrants To Ruidoso Futurity Trials
RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (May 23,2011) — Valiant War Hero makes his
first start since setting a world record while winning the Grade 1,
$253,004 West Texas Futurity when he heads the 201entrants in the 21
trials to the Grade 1, $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity on Friday, the
opening day of the summer season at Ruidoso Downs.
There will be a special 11 a.m. first post time to accommodate the
350-yard trials for 2-year-old Quarter Horses. Racing then continues
through Monday afternoon with the usual 1 p.m. first post time.
The horses with the 10-fastest times from the Ruidoso Futurity
trials become eligible to race in the Ruidoso Futurity on June 12.
The Ruidoso Futurity is the first leg of the All American Triple
Crown. Completing the series are the Grade 1,$700,000 Rainbow
Futurity on July 24 and the Grade 1, $2,400,000 (est.) All American
Futurity, the world’s richest Quarter Horse race, on Labor Day. If a
horse can sweep the three futurities then that horse’s connections
earn the$4,000,000 All American Triple Crown Bonus, the richest in
quarter horseracing.
Valiant War Hero, the nation’s second-ranked 2-year-old quarter
horse in the weekly AQHA/Horseplayernow.comnational poll, earned
that lofty ranking after his world-record upset victory in the West
Texas Futurity on April 17. The gelded son of Valiant Hero pulled
away to win by one length in :14.594 seconds for 300 yards. That
lowered the previous Sunland Park track and world record of :14.667.
Owned by Dena Pitts and Pam Baber, who race under the Texas Broads
moniker, Valiant War Hero has been pointing towards the Ruidoso
Futurity trials since his West Texas Futurity score.
“We’ve just been galloping him and stood him in the gates once,”
said trainer Trey Wood. “The post position and everything is fine.
Let’s just load them and go.”
Valiant Valor is a full brother to Valiant War Hero and has the same
ownership and trainer. He also returns in the Ruidoso Futurity
trials after competing in the West Texas Futurity and finishing in
fourth place.
Valiant War Hero competes in the seventh trial with the seventh post
position while Valiant Valor races in the fifth trial with the sixth
post position.
Trainer Jackie Riddle sends out West Texas Futurity third-place
finisher Twilight B in the 13th trial. The gelded son of All
American Futurity winner Teller Cartel overcame a troubled start tow
in his West Texas Futurity trial by a nose in his career debut.
The star of the West Texas Futurity trials was Fredda Draper and
Lola Willis’ RC Black Mamba, who races in the 10thRuidoso Futurity
trial. She was the fastest qualifier to the West Texas Futurity and
looks to rebound from her eighth-place finish in the West Texas
Futurity for trainer Carl Draper.
The horses with the two fastest times from the three days of
training races held at Ruidoso Downs on May 9-11make their career
debuts in the 14th Ruidoso Futurity trial.
Buddy and Patty Newsome’s Feature Mr Who, trained by Russell Harris,
had the quickest time from the three days of trials when he won his
300-yard dash in :15.93 on the third day of training races.
RW Red Wave, one of 33 trial entrants from the Paul Jones stable,
turned in a :15.95 mark for the second-fastest overall time and
fastest time of the second day of training races. The $9,500 Ruidoso
Select Sale yearling purchase is owned by Jones, Terry Thompson,
Linda Pura and Jim Peterson.
Those two first-time starters will challenge Silver For Me, the lone
$15,000 supplemental nominee, from the Riddle barn. The gelding was
second in the Sam Houston Juvenile in his most recent start.
Saturday’s racing at Ruidoso Downs will be highlighted by the trials
to the Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby. The $30,000 Fine Loom Handicap at 870
yards is on Sunday afternoon and opening week culminates on Monday
afternoon with the $40,000 First Lady Handicap over six furlongs.
There is always free parking and free general admission at Ruidoso
Downs.
May 27, 2011 - Overnight
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