The Texas presence was strongly felt in the trials for the All-American Futurity (Gr. I) at Ruidoso Downs on Thursday, August 14, as Texas-bred horse won 10 of the 18 trials. Moreover, half of the ten qualifiers, including fastest qualifier Latest Version (pictured), are Texas-bred. The $2-million All-American Futurity (Gr. I) for 2-year-old Quarter Horses going 440 yards will be held on Labor Day, September 1, at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico.

Latest Version (Holland Ease-The Jubilee Diamond, by Runaway Winner), bred by Jerry Windham, took the eighth trial by one length over Anacacho in :21.272. He is owned by R.D. Hubbard, Derrol Hubbard, B. Holmes, and T. K. Covel, and he is trained by Paul C. Jones. Second place finisher Anacacho, bred by Becklyn Farm, also made the finals with a time of :21.416. The gelding is owned by Louis Howard and trained by John Boegner.

In the first All-American trial, Rushing & Gentry Partnership, Ted Rushing et al’s Dashair (First Down Dash-Such an Easy Effort, by Special Effort) raced to a 1 ¼-length tally over Apollo Babe 123 in :21.755. Bred in Texas by Gentry Brothers, the colt is trained by John Bassett.
Ramich Farms’ gelding Cognac Kid (Mr Jess Perry-Feet Down First, by First Down Dash) ran to his 1-to-2 favoritism in the second trail, scoring by a neck over Lady Jayne Cee in :21.492 for trainer Jack Brooks. He was bred in Texas by Charlie & Dixie Patterson.

Owner and trainer Frankie H. Martinez saddled Sixes Royal (Royal Quick Dash-Tempered Glass, by Streakin Six) to post a three-quarters of a length victory over Dreamers Okie in :21.401 in the third trial. The colt was bred in Texas by Burnett Ranches, Ltd.

Dura Max (Chicks Beduino-Dressed for Cash, by Victory Dash), owned and bred by Buddy & Patty Newsome and trained by Russell Harris, stormed to a half-length triumph over favored Righteous Brother in the fourth trial. The gelding crossed the finish line in :21.443.

It was a filly that took the fifth trial, with Harris Racing Stable and B. Eiland’s Dash of Perry (Mr Jess Perry-Tiny Dash of Cash, by Dash For Cash) beating Jess the Facts by 1 ¾ lengths in :21.409. Dash of Perry is trained by Russell Harris and was bred by B. Eiland and Harris Racing Stable.

The seventh trial also went to a filly when A Delightful Legacy (First Down Dash-Fortunes of Delight, by Six Fortunes) scored by 2 ¼ lengths in :21.506 as the even money favorite over Abominable for owner/breeder Gwendolyn Eaves. She is trained by John Bassett.

Texas-bred Rubys Jp (Mr Jess Perry-Rubys N Gold, by Hempen) justified his 3-to-2 favoritism in the tenth trial, crossing the wire a neck in front of Fast Movin Snow in :21.375. Trained by Paul C. Jones, Ruby’s Jp is owned and was bred in Texas by James G. Burgess, MD.

S.M.S. Racing Stable’s Jts Corona (Corona Cartel-Truley Yours, by Tolltac) captured the twefth All-American Futurity trial by 1 ¾ lengths over Shakin Up in :21.442 as the 9-to-10 favorite. The gelding was bred in Texas by Jacque J. Tanton and is trained by Tony E. Sedillo.

2003 All-American Futurity Qualifiers