Page 117 - July 2015

Ruidoso Futurity-G1
FIRST VALIANT SIGN
by Tracy Gantz
The Ruidoso Futurity-G1 lived up to its name because Ruidoso Downs figures prominently in the life of the winner, First Valiant Sign.
Though bred in Oklahoma, First Valiant Sign showed up in New Mexico as a yearling when he went through the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Trainer Michael Joiner, whose stable is based in New Mexico, picked out the youngster at the sale for a partnership that includes Texas and New Mexico owners. One of those, Derrol Hubbard, is the son of Ruidoso Downs owner R.D. Hubbard and the father of Shaun Hubbard, the track’s general manager.
“He was a big colt, with a good slope to his shoulder and good conformation,” said Joiner. First Valiant Sign cost $100,000. While six figures may never seem like a bargain, consid- ering that he earned $315,000 in the Futurity,
it was a great deal.
Joiner took the colt to his facility after the
sale and gelded him.
“He got a little pushy, and he didn’t look
like he was going to have the mind to run as a colt,” Joiner said. “We bought him as a race prospect. He’s always been smart. He doesn’t get too excited.”
The only mistake the gelding made was in his schooling race at Ruidoso.
“He kind of got a little intimidated in
the gate, so he didn’t break real good,” stated Joiner. “So he didn’t work real good—I think he was fourth.”
In his May 22 trial to the Ruidoso Futurity, First Valiant Sign finished 2nd by a neck to JM One Hot Boy and was the only horse to qualify who didn’t win his heat from two days of trials.
As a result, in the final he went off as the second-longest shot on the board, at 31-1. Joiner had qualified another longshot, 20-1 Jess Burnin, as well as 7-1 Kobys Wagon.
First Valiant Sign drew the rail, and when the gate opened, jockey Larry Payne got
him away quickly in second. About midway through, the gelding took over the lead, which he held to win by a neck. First Valiant Sign raced the 350 yards in :17.310.
“I got all I could ask for,” said Payne. “He left the gate honest and was right there. About halfway through I was still behind, but I knew I had the winner. I don’t want to sound arro- gant, but he was making up a neck or a half a side with each stride.”
Jess Burnin finished second and would have given Joiner the Exacta. But he had
veered out, and the stewards posted an inquiry, ultimately disqualifying him to last.
“That was bittersweet,” said Joiner. “But we were real pleased with First Valiant Sign’s performance. He’s always been a big, long- striding colt.”
With the Ruidoso
Futurity victory, First
Valiant Sign is in line for the
Ruidoso Triple Crown that
includes the Rainbow Futurity-G1 and the All American Futurity-G1. He was winning the first leg a day after American Pharoah won Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.
“This is the year of the Triple Crown,” said Derrol Hubbard. “You gotta win the first one. We are very fortunate and very lucky.”
The last Quarter Horse to win the Triple Crown was Special Effort in 1981.
The Rainbow is contested at 400 yards, while the All American is 440 yards.
“He’ll like more distance,” said Payne.
Joiner also trained Valiant Hero, the sire of First Valiant Sign, for part of his career. Joiner saddled Valiant Hero to win the 2007 Heritage Place Derby-G2.
The Mixer Ranch bred First Valiant Sign out of First Painted Sign, a PYC Paint Your Wagon mare who captured the 2010
Speedhorse Gold & Silver Cup Futurity-G1 and the Oklahoma Futurity-G2. First Painted Sign, a full sister to stakes winner Second Painted Sign, has produced two winners from three starters, including A Tres Of Paint, second in this year’s Heritage Place Futurity-G1.
With the disqualification of Jess Burnin (One Sweet Jess-Burnin Bye), Fine Oak
Corona (Coronas Prospect-Like A Fine Oak), the fastest qualifier, was moved into second. L.S. Martinez rode the colt for trainer Paul Jones and owner Jose Sanchez. Fine Oak Corona had won two of three previous starts.
One Fabulous Eagle (One Famous Eagle- Ladys Heart Of Gold), the second-fastest qualifier, finished fourth under Cesar Gomez and was moved into third upon the disqualifi- cation. Kasey Willis trains the colt for owner Darling Farms.
Completing the field were JM One Hot Boy (Walk Thru Fire-Coronas Rouge), Perrys Stamina (Mr Jess Perry-A First Down Chick), Memphis D Nasty (FDD Dynasty-Jess A Cartel), Streakinjess For LMG (Mr Jess Perry- Kool As Ever), Kobys Wagon (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Jump Down First), and Giving It All (Walk Thru Fire-Sizzling).
Ruidoso Downs $750,000 • 350 yards :17.310 • si 99
First Down Dash
Valiant Hero
Corona Chick
FIRST VALIANT SIGN, ’13-g.
PYC Paint Your Wagon
First Painted Sign
Stylish Sign
First Valiant Sign & Larry Payne win the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity
SPEEDHORSE, July 2015 115
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