Mendel, a two-year-old quarter horse, is the 2-1 morning line favorite in Sunday’s running of the $350,000 (est) Mountain Top Futurity for New Mexico-bred quarter horses at 350-yards.

“That youngster has it all,” JJ Gonzales Jr. said about the gelding that will be ridden by Francisco Calderon who qualified Mendel in the trials, winning by more than three-lengths.

The Gonzales family has three entered in the Futurity final including Mendel, Lovely Lady Mae and Big Jessie. The horses are listed under JJ’s son, JJ Gonzales III in the program.

“It’s an entire family operation,” JJ Jr. said. “It’s a thrill to be able to work with my sons JJ and Sebastian every day, and have such a nice barn full of nice horses. We hope it turns into a very nice Father’s Day weekend for our family.”

On Saturday there will be two stakes events for quarter horses including the $175,258 Mountain Top Derby for three-year-old quarter horses going 350-yards. Miss Hi Tide is the 2-1 morning line favorite with jockey Adrian Ramos aboard for trainer Wes Giles.

Team Gonzales has four quarter horses that qualified for the Derby final including Copy of Jess, DaddysqueenofAlice, Wood Be Bad and Bigg Curlie Bill.

“Copy of Jess has been a work in progress,” JJ said. “We have been patient with the filly to let her mature. She has started to flourish.” Calderon will be riding Copy of Jess.

The $112,610 Maiden Stakes final will also be run on Saturday featuring quarter horses that had not won before March 1 of this year. Trainer Health Taylor has the top two favored in the race, AJ Top Secret and Devastating.

After the horse races, the Graham Brothers will be performing on the patio of Billy’s Cantina starting at 7 p.m.

First post time for the races Friday, Saturday and Sunday is 1 p.m.