Ruidoso, N.M. » Running Brook Gal, a 2-year-old filly who grew up in eastern Utah, broke like a rocket and raced to an easy 11/2-length win Monday in the $1.9 million All-American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.
Owned by Chad, Albert and Patricia Richard of Roosevelt, Running Brook Gal covered the 440 yards on a wet-but-fast track in a sizzling 21.14 seconds.
Ridden by Ramon Sanchez, Running Brook Gal was sent off as the 7-to-2 second choice in the wagering before winning for the fourth time in six career starts. Her victory was worth $1 million.
Going into the All-American, Chad Richard had two horses in the final field. But Brooks Midnight, who was raised in the same pasture as Running Brook Gal, was scratched after suffering a minor foot injury while jogging last week.
"She'll be fine," Richard said, adding Brooks Midnight will be rested until the trials for the Golden State Futurity at Los Alamitos in October.
Just for qualifying for the All-American, Brooks Midnight earned the 10th-place check of $50,000 for Richard.
Two other horses with Utah connections qualified for the 51st edition of the All-American Futurity.
Favorite Cartel, the 4-to-1 third choice in the wagering, hesitated at the break but used a determined rally to finish fourth and earn $110,200.
Favorite Cartel was ridden by Utah-born jockey Cody Jensen. He was trying for his third All-American win in the last five years. Jensen was aboard Teller Cartel in 2005 and No Secrets Here in 2006.
Meanwhile, trainer Wes Giles of Bluebell sent out 16-to-1 long shot Jess So Sixy, who finished ninth and earned $50,300.
For Jensen, it was not a lost weekend, despite Favorite Cartel's defeat.
In the $624,784 All-American Derby on Sunday, Jensen rode Inseperable to a half-length win over fast-closing Fantastic Corona Jr.
Inseperable earned $312,000 for the victory and also qualified for the Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos in December.
"We got a great start," Jensen said. "... That was a big-hearted race he ran. Some really nice horses came to him on the end. He just gutted it out."
Running Brook Gal qualified for the finals of all three major futurities this summer at Ruidoso Downs:
Date*Race*Total Purse*Finish*Winner
June 7*Ruidoso Futurity*$500,000*5th*First Klas Fred
July 19*Rainbow Futurity*$625,000*2nd*Zoomin With Ease
Sept. 7*All-American Futurity*$1,900,000*1st*----
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Tough to beat
The career record of All-American Futurity winner Running Brook Gal:
Starts*Wins*Second*Third*Earnings
6*4*1*0*1,125,950
