Page 154 - July 2019

Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Futurity-RG2
COLBY JAMES
by Danny Camp
Ten qualifiers lined up 350 yards away from the finish for the $404,357 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Futurity at Ruidoso Downs on June 15.
Colby James won his May 31 trial heat wire-to-wire by 1 1/4-lengths and came into the finals with the fourth fastest time. In
the main event, Colby James broke from
the outside post on the lead and weaved
his way down the track. Regular pilot Alan Hernandez, who has been riding in the United States for less than a year, made a great ride, keeping his mount in front for every call and crossing the wire a nose on top.
Colby James brought home the $169,830 winner’s share of the purse for owner Rex Wells and trainer Rodolfo Valles, boosting his lifetime earnings to $248,397.
“First of all, we are tickled to have this horse,” said Valles. “He’s a pet. He’s quiet and friendly. He’s good in the barn area, in the stall and on the walker.
“The horse pulled up good after the trials, eating all his feed and resting quietly,” the trainer explained. “In the finals, he broke bet- ter than he ever had. This kind of horse makes my job enjoyable and easy, and we just kind of stay out of his way. He’s a professional and has been from day one.
“Rex purchased the sorrel
gelding for $15,000,” Valles
continued. “When Rex
brought him to us and he said
he was really gentle, I had my
doubts because he had all this
white around his eyes. I was
worried. Turned out Rex was
right, he’s just a puppy to be
around. When he steps up on
the track, he changes gears.
We are looking forward to
the Zia Futurity and then the
New Mexico Classic in Hobbs. We will let him tell us when he’s ready.”
Previous to this victory, the gelding broke his maiden in his first start in the trials to the New Mexican Spring Futurity-G2 at Sunland Park. He qualified and finished second by just a neck in those finals.
MJ Farms bred Colby James out of unraced Sandy June Bug. She has produced 100% money earners from 17 starters, includ- ing stakes winner Hedge Fund and multiple graded stakes winners Junior June Bug and Daddys Blushing, her top earner.
Princess Katelyn (Big Daddy Cartel-Muy Rapido) ran second in her May 31 trial heat and barely squeaked into the finals with the
tenth fastest time. In the finals, however, she broke alertly and ran a gritty race and barely missed to pocket second place money under Esgar Ramirez. The Jose Muela trainee is owned by Edilberto Estrada.
Dark Moon (First Moonflash-Special Dark Ivory) won her Mountain Top Futurity trial wire-to- wire by 3/4-lengths and
had the seventh fastest qualifying time. She took a hard bump at the break in the finals, but gathered herself and ran down the track to bank the third place check. Owned by Cavenaugh Quarter Horses LLC, the Clinton Crawford trainee had Juan Pulido aboard.
Big Edge (Big Daddy Cartel-Da Edge) finished in fourth. Amethyst (A Royal Jess-First Place Cartel) and Mister Riptide (Woodbridge-Ms Riptide) finished in a dead- heat for fifth and were followed by James Gang Boss (Jesse James Jr-Tres Of Alice), Absolutely Flashing (First Moonflash-Penny Snatchin), Daddies Lil Darlin (Big Daddy Cartel-A Chick Of Class) and Last Fight (Big Daddy Cartel-Fabulous Form).
Ruidoso Downs $404,357 • 350 yards :17.796 • si 88
Mr Jess Perry
Jesse James Jr
Loose Lips
COLBY JAMES, ‘17-g.
Blushing Bug
Sandy June Bug
Sandys Fame
Colby James (#10) & Alan Hernandez receive every call winning the $404,357 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Futurity-RG2
152 SPEEDHORSE, July 2019
RACING NEWS
Ruidoso Downs