ALBUQUERQUE – The spotlight will shine bright on Monday at Albuquerque Downs when the fastest 2-year-old quarter horses in the nation compete in the All American Futurity, the richest race in the world for short liners.
Chile Gato enters the $3 million All American Futurity as the overall fastest qualifier after an impressive career debut in the eighth trial on August 7. The colt defeated Ask Her To Fly by 1 1/4 lengths while covering 440 yards in 20.911 seconds for owner/breeder Omar Paredes of Texas.
Trained by Jed Vane, Chile Gato produced the fastest All American Futurity trial time in history, breaking the record set by four-time champion Heartswideopen in 2007 when she stopped the clock in 20.921. Chile Gato will break from post five in the Futurity with Francisco Calderon in the saddle.
Tempting Lu, the only other horse in the field of 10 who achieved a qualifying time of under 21 seconds, has already shown signs of excellence. She burst onto the scene at Sunland Park when she won her career debut in the West Texas Futurity trials by more than two lengths before finishing second in the finals.
The Texas-bred filly by Tempting Dash will be ridden by Jose Enriquez, one of the nation’s leading jockeys.
The All American Futurity, the featured attraction on the closing day program, is one of several stakes races this weekend during the Ruidoso at Albuquerque season. The track will host its regularly scheduled meet with opening day slated for Thursday, Sept. 10.
Following the devastating flooding in the Ruidoso area during the summer of 2024, the All American Futurity was relocated to Albuquerque Downs. As recovery efforts continue at Ruidoso Downs, the Albuquerque facility which also hosts the state fair season, will present the Futurity for the third consecutive year.
Monday’s closing day program will also feature the $250,000 All American Gold Cup for older horses racing 440 yards. First post time on Monday is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. with the Futurity set to reach the starting gate at 6:15 p.m.
On Sunday, a field of 10 3-year-olds will head to the starting gate for the $1 million All American Derby. Wes Giles-trainee Gf Shes Sinful, winner of the Ruidoso Derby on June 6, is the 5-to-2 morning line favorite with Noe Garcia, Jr. in the irons.
The lone filly in the 440-yard Derby, Gf Shes Sinful will break from post eight in the contest. Drawn on the far outside is 7-to-2 second choice Political Twist, a nine-time winner from 11 starts with earnings of more than $1.4 million.
Also scheduled for Sunday’s card is the $700,000 All American Oaks, which will go as race seven on the 10-race program. Full Moon Desire, trained by Heber Deyta-Melendez, will be seeking her third career stakes win when she breaks from the outside post under Juan Pulido.
Locally, fans can watch and wager on the races from Albuquerque Downs at SunRay Park and Casino.
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