(Grand Prairie, Texas - Saturday, September 30, 2017) - Jockey Damien Martinez rode Ruben Montemayor's Three Bar Cartel to victory tonight in the 20th running of the $353,700 Dash for Cash Futurity (G2) at Lone Star Park. It was the second straight Dash for Cash Futurity win for both. They teamed in 2016 with Eye N Capo. Final time for the 400-yard race was :19.821 over a fast track. Speed index was 93.

At the start, the winner broke out slightly and bumped with Apollitical to Know, who got the place. Favorite Cloud Ridge was forced out by Capitol Ice and had to settle for third on the outside. Margins separating the top three were head, nose, head.

"We've had this horse about two months. We've had trouble with him going straight. I think he's getting better every time," said winning trainer Josue Ponce. "Today he had a little trouble, but we knew he was fast enough to get out of there. We'll see how he pulls up tomorrow and go from there. He sleeps a lot, but once he goes out, he's very professional, nothing but business."

Three Bar Cartel increased his bankroll to $144,180. This was only his second career start. The striking grey gelding is by Capo de Capi, who also sired 2016 winner Eye N Capo for owner, Montemayor.

Mutuels returned $10.60, $8.00 and $4.00. Place paid $17.00 and 10.00 and show paid $2.60. One Sweet Policy, Jess Adalida, Capitol Ice, Thecartelofmiracle, Fdd Lajolla, and Sc Tornado completed the order of finish. Fastest qualifier Ja Am I Blue was scratched due to a chip said his trainer Rolando Armanza. 

The win tonight was the fifth of the season for trainer Josue Ponce, which puts him tied for first place in the standings with Jimmy Padgett.