The Inside Track by Tim Keithley: Five Horses to Watch in Saturday’s Trials for the $1 Million Rainbow Futurity
Race 1: Shott Gun (#6) was a winner of the Heritage Place Futurity at Remington Park by upsetting a field that included Aint She Tempting with a late kick at the wire. “She’s the right pedigree and has been working nicely towards the trials,” trainer Heath Taylor said. Owned by Bobby Cox, Shott Gun will be ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo who knows the horse well. The morning line is 2-1—seems fair—but guessing more like even-money at post time.
Race 4: Famous Shining Star (#10) is owned by Johnny Trotter and Stan Sigman who are co-owners of Ruidoso Downs Race Track. The business partners paid $250,000 for this filly at the Ruidoso Downs fall sale based on the filly’s breeding and potential. She just missed in her trial opening weekend in the Ruidoso for trainer Mike Joiner and Jockey Raul Ramirez Jr., and is 7/2 with an outside post. We’re rooting for the home team.
Race 7: Seven (#10) is two-for-two thus far for owners Ray Merrill and Greg Cullum, trainer Clinton Crawford and Jockey Cody Smith with an outside post today. “He seems to really be figuring things out and draws a nice spot for his trial race,” Crawford said. The horse was number-seven in the auction catalog last fall as apparently the number stuck—and it is race seven after all.
Race 9: Best Moonflash (#7) will be well-prepared for owner Garyln Shelton, trainer John Stinebaugh and Jockey Raul Valenzuela and is favored at 5/2 odds. The filly finished second in her trial opening weekend to KJ Daisy Duke who qualified for the Ruidoso final. “We’re hoping that 400 yards is going to make a positive difference,” Stinebaugh said.
Race 12: Jess Painted (#8) “hopped” out of the gate according to the chart writer in his Ruidoso trial and still got up for third-place. “It was a learning experience,” jockey Ricky Ramirez said. “We have high hopes for the horse to show us what he can do on Saturday.” Jess Painted is owned by Adam Smith and trained by Blane Wood as the 2-1 favorite.
Watch the entire 2020 Rainbow Futurity Trials Video Playlist on YouTube.