Erasmus B Dragon Lines Out For Top Time To Zia Futurity

            RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (July 15, 2011) – The Paul Jones-owned, -bred and -trained Erasmus B Dragon made up for an erratic run in his previous start with professional fastest-qualifying victory in his trial to the $384,030 Zia Futurity for New Mexico-breds on Friday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

            The horses with the 10-fastest trials over 400 yards on the wet-fast track qualified to return to race in the Zia Futurity on July 31 at Ruidoso Downs. The Zia Futurity is the richest race during the stakes-filled Zia Festival program. All the races are for New Mexico-breds and the grandstand is filled with vendors selling their New Mexico-based wares in this celebration of The Land of Enchantment.

            Erasmus B Dragon stood out in the seventh of nine Zia Futurity trials when he dominated by two-and-one-half lengths with a :19.519 time. He quickly went to the front under jockey Esgar Ramirez and ran straight down the track while expanding his margin with each stride.

            The Stel Corona son made amends for his previous start when he bore out from the inside post position and finished third in a maiden race, only to be disqualified for interference. In his other start, he was third in his Mountain Top Futurity trial.

            The Jones’ stable also sent out second-fastest qualifier First Blazin Love, winner of the third trial with a :19.546 time under G.R. Carter Jr. The Chicks A Blazin son drew out to win by two lengths for owners D. Johnson, Lisa Saumell and Sammy Martinez.

            First Blazin Love is undefeated from two starts with a three-quarter-length win in his Mountain Top Futurity trial in his first start.

            Gary Kloppenburg’s homebred Sparklin Royal prevailed by a neck over Karolina in the fifth trial and they raced to the third- and fifth-fastest qualifying times. Sparklin Royal stopped the clock in:19.684 while Karolina was timed in :19.734.

            The Carlos Sedillo-trained Sparklin Royal was winless in her first four starts, but has stepped up with back-to-back wins. He was a three-quarter length maiden winner in his previous start.

            Elmer Criswell and Fredda Draper’s Karolina, a homebred daughter of Desirio, raced to best finish from four starts in the trial. The Carl Draper-trained filly was third in a maiden race two starts ago.

            The program ended when Marty Cope’s Charlie Waffles Jr won the ninth trial and gave jockey Cody Jensen a win on the day he came back from a six-month layoff caused by a hip injury. The injury required major surgery with two plates and eight screws inserted to stabilize the joint, followed by extensive rehabilitation.

            The Mike Joiner-trained Charlie Waffles Jr raced to the fourth fastest time of :19.721 for his first win in his second start. He was ninth in his career debut and overlooked at 22-1 odds in his Zia Futurity trial.