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RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (June 19, 2011) – Isabell Charolais’ Sammy James moved to the top level of the New Mexico-bred 2-year-old ranks with an impressive daylight victory in the $276,609 Mountain Top Quarter Horse Futurity on Sunday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs. Sammy James quickly went to the lead from the inside post position under jockey Ricky Ramirez and had the race secured 100 yards before the wire. He easily pulled away to win by two lengths while well in hand and earned $137,772. The son of Jesse James Jr covered the 350 yards in :17.844 while facing a gusting 35 miles per hour headwind. Two Shine finished second by a nose over Caught On Tape. Sammy James has shown improving form for trainer Blane Wood over his three career starts and now will be one of the hot favorites for the $350,000 (est.) Zia Futurity on July 31 at Ruidoso Downs. The $20,000 Ruidoso Yearling Sale purchase crossed the finish line in fifth place in his career debut at Sunland Park and awarded fourth position following a disqualification. He then stepped up and won his Mountain Top Futurity trial by three quarters of a length with the fastest qualifying time of :17.550 for the 350 yards. Runner-up Two Shine, owned by Beda Prieto and trained by Juan Gonzalez, is still a maiden from four starts and raced in the New Mexican Spring Futurity at Sunland Park. Third-place finisher Caught On Tape scored his first career win when he won his Mountain Top Futurity trial for owner Gary Hartstack and trainer Jackie Riddle.
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Sammy
James Impresses With Easy Mountain Top Quarter Horse Futurity Win