FIRST KLAS FRED CHASES $4 MILLION IN RAINBOW FUTURITY TRIALS

July 2, 2009 – Denis and Julie Schoenhofer’s Ruidoso Futurity winner First Klas Fred tries to take the next step to a possible $4-million payday when he starts in the 14th of 20 trials to the Grade 1, $625,000 Rainbow Futurity Thursday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

The 20 trials are a sharp increase over the 14 Rainbow Futurity trials held last summer. There are 192 2-year-olds entered in the trials with 24 of those hopefuls from the Paul Jones barn.

There is a special 11 a.m. first post time to accommodate the day-long 400-yard trials. The horses with the 10-fastest times qualify for the Rainbow Futurity, the second leg of the futurity triple crown at Ruidoso Downs. The Rainbow Futurity will be held on July 19.

First Klas Fred is the only horse with the possibility to win the $4-million All American Triple Crown bonus. It is paid to the connections of any horse who can win the Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American futurities and has never been awarded.

The Mike Joiner-trained First Klas Fred impressed as a 13-1 outsider in the Ruidoso Futurity when he won by one-half length over Shake Em Money Pop, who is passing the Rainbow Futurity trials to concentrate on the All American Futurity trials.

The gelding from the first crop of Fredricksburg was winless in his first three starts, all at Sunland Park, and then blossomed at Ruidoso Downs with wins in his Ruidoso Futurity trial and the finals.

There are three $30,000 supplemental nominees to the Rainbow Futurity ‑ Kuhl Little Man, Illegal Fireworks and Arribo.

Here’s a trial-by-trial rundown of the Rainbow Futurity trials.

First trial

The well-bred Fast Prize Tracy comes off a win and a second from two starts, each at Remington Park. The daughter of Shazoom and Fast First Prize meets Grade 1 West Texas Futurity seventh-place finisher Corona For The Lady.

Second trial

Conspicuous Corona boasts of a win and a close second-place run from two Remington Park starts for trainer Russell Harris. Zooming For Jess won her only start, a Ruidoso Downs maiden race.

Third trial

The Jones-trained Tango Blue returns after an eye-catching performance in a Ruidoso Downs maiden race when he drew out to win by two lengths.

Fourth trial

Van Zant steps up after narrowly missing the win in the Ruidoso Juvenile when he made a huge late rally. Winners Cartel should improve off a third-place effort in his only start.

Fifth trial

Runaway Stoli could make some noise after finishing second to Runnning Brook Gal in their Ruidoso Futurity trial and then racing in the Ruidoso Juvenile. Runnning Brook Gal was the fastest qualifier to the Ruidoso Futurity.

Sixth trial

Oceans Special Girl was third in a deep Ruidoso Futurity trial behind Ruidoso Futurity winner First Klas Fred and Ruidoso Futurity qualifier Swingin Daddyo. Teller Secrets was third behind Ruidoso Futurity runner-up Shake Em Money Pop in her only start, a Ruidoso Futurity trial.

Seventh trial

Varsity Girl is the class with a 31-1 upset win in the West Texas Futurity. She has two wins and two runner-up efforts from four starts, including a second in her Ruidoso Futurity trial as the 6-5 favorite.

Eighth trial

The promising Sir Seth is the horse to beat after finishing third in the Ruidoso Futurity for trainer Blane Wood. Takeittoem Jess challenges after winning his maiden by two lengths in his only start.

Ninth trial

Jones-trainee Runnning Brook Gal stands out as the fastest qualifier to the Ruidoso Futurity who had a very troubled start in the Ruidoso Futurity and finished sixth. Swingin Daddyo may be the most accomplished maiden at Ruidoso Downs after finishing fourth in the Ruidoso Futurity.

10th trial

Shakem Blue and Genuine Cartel each try to shake off bridesmaid tendencies. Shakem Blue was second in his latest two starts while Genuine Cartel has been the runner-up in his last three outs.

11th trial

Ruidoso Futurity seventh-place finisher Jessy Jane faces Jess Good, who is coming off a one-length win in his Ruidoso Futurity trial in his only start. Supplemental nominee Kuhl Little Man impressed with a daylight win in a Ruidoso Downs maiden race.

12th trial

Modern Vintage comes off a game effort in the Ruidoso Juvenile when he has third, just beaten by a nose. Delightfully Tres was a troubled third in her only start for trainer John Bassett.

13th trial

Nancys Ocean was fourth in the Grade 1, $221,000 Longhorn Futurity at Manor Downs and the easy winner of the Ruidoso Downs maiden race in her only local start.

14th trial

First Klas Fred has the class and experience to dominate. The Mike Joiner trainee won the Ruidoso Futurity in his fifth career start and is two-for-two at Ruidoso Downs. He was fifth in the West Texas Futurity.

15th trial

Jess So Sixy was a very troubled ninth in the Ruidoso Futurity after cruising to a win in her trial. Supplemental nominee Illegal Fireworks was a close third in the $355,000 Oklahoma Futurity two starts ago.

16th trial

Supplemental nominee Streakin Down just missed in the Grade 1, $1.1 million Heritage Place Futurity. Shes Poppin rolled to a two-length win over maiden rivals in her sole career start.

17th trial

Easee Version finds a good spot after racing to a one-half length maiden victory in his most recent start, his second career start.

18th trial

Supplemental nominee Arribo makes his Ruidoso Downs debut after winning a $20,000-claiming maiden race at Los Alamitos. Callan Rocks won his Ruidoso Futurity trial and was fourth in the Ruidoso Juvenile.

19th trial

A Fitting Way stands out after he raced to his third-straight win when he won the $75,000 Heritage Place Juvenile in his most recent start.

20th trial

Favorite Cartel showed promise for co-owner and trainer Jones when he drew out to a one-length score in a Ruidoso Downs maiden race, his most recent start.