The Inside Track by Tim Keithley: Five Horses to Watch in the All American Trials on Saturday
Race 2 Flashing My PJs (#2):
Here’s a filly that has been talked about ever since she went from sixth to first place in the final 100 yards of her trial race for the Heritage Place Futurity in the spring. She didn’t qualify for the final but there was enough shine on the bottle—the chart writer commented “massive rally.” Then in the Rainbow trials she once again “bobbled” out of the starting gate yet got up for an impressive second-place finish. The key ingredient on Saturday is that she gets 40 extra yards. Note the August 6 morning work of 10.96 seconds for 220 yards if you’re still skeptical. Her morning line odds are 7/2 for trainer John Stinebaugh and Jockey Benito Baca for owner Susan Taylor.
Race 4 Peves Jackpot Jack (#2):
Most horse owners pay approximately $5,000 to enter their horse for the All American trials, but can also choose to pay ten-times that amount ($50,000) for a “time of entry supplement” if they’ve missed the regular payments through the year. Peves Jackpot Jack’s owners Kenny and Regina Laymon ponied-up the money to run on Saturday. The gelding was favored but scratched out of an AQHA “Challenge” stakes race last weekend and moved over to the Eddie Willis barn. Rider Jimmy Brooks stays on at a morning line price of 5/2. Follow the money.
Race 7: Eagles and Dragons (#3):
When it comes to raw talent it appears the gelding has all the right moves. However, it was the gelding’s two-length win in the Zia Festival trials July 10—followed by an immediate disqualification—that has bettors puzzled as to which racehorse will show up on Saturday. Trainer Juan Gonzalez has been working hard to fix any issues and jockey Jaime Leos will ride once again for owner Joe Rios at 7/2 odds.
Race 11: Cyber Monday (#5):
Clearly the colt has been the most consistent racehorse of the meet in winning the Ruidoso Futurity and finishing fourth in the Rainbow Futurity. There would be a question about the colt’s stamina after fading in the final few yards of the Rainbow except for the fact that Cyber Monday was racing having thrown a shoe coming out of the starting gate. Trainer Sergio Ibarra says the horse is ready to go on Saturday with Sergio Becerra Jr. on board for an ownership team led by Abelardo Gallegos. It would be like moving a mountain to keep this colt out of the Labor Day finals.
Race 16: Tuckk (#7):
Trainer Mike Joiner remains one of the all-time great Quarter Horse trainers and one of his best traits is patience. While he has several attempting to make the All American final, this gelding may be his best opportunity. Tuckk showed talent opening weekend by winning his trial for the Ruidoso Futurity and finishing fourth in the final behind Cyber Monday. Joiner and owners Bobby Simmons and Johnny Trotter chose to skip the Rainbow entirely so that the horse would be completely fresh and ready for the All American trials; we’ll see if their patience pays off today. It’s the last race of the day so any horse owner that’s on the “bubble” had best beware of Tuckk. 2-1 odds are fair.