Sam Houston Futurity Qualifiers

Omar Mireles' JLC Payaso Ed, a chestnut son of the One Famous Eagle stallion Strawflys Eagle, on Friday posted the fastest qualifying time from the first of two nights of Sam Houston Futurity (G2) trials at Sam Houston Race Park.

Ridden by Luis F. Ruiz for trainer Joel Cantu and racing against a reported 8-mph head wind, JLC Payaso Ed covered 330 yards in :17.051 to win the third of 10 heats by three-quarters of a length. The gelding was winning for the first time in two races and increasing is earnings to $9,000.

JLC Payaso Ed was bred in Texas by John Louis Chamberlain. He traces back to his third dam, With Flair, a Raise A Secret mare who won the 1994 Manor Downs Futurity (G2).

Other prominent qualifiers from the first night of trials include Ponte Trucha, a son of the American Runaway stallion Duponte who won his trial in :17.107. Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco rode the gelding for owner Armando Cortez and trainer Josue Huitron.

Ponte Trucha has won two of three starts and has banked $155,530, and he was stretching out in distance off of his three-quarter length victory in the April 3, 300-yard Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3).

An $18,000 purchase at last year's Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Ponte Trucha was bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto Inc.

Click here for a complete list of first-night qualifiers to the June 4, $150,000-added Sam Houston Futurity.

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