GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Friday, October 28, 2022)
The field has been set for the richest race in Texas, the Grade 1, $1,209,172.91 Texas Classic Futurity (G1). Eighteen trials were contested over two nights at Lone Star Park. The five fastest from each night of trials have earned a spot in the starting gate for the 400 yard final on November 19.
Rock a Jess V, a supplemental entry, posted the fastest qualifying time over a sloppy track in the second trial Friday night. Juan Pulido was in the irons as the son of World Champion Apollitical Jess covered the distance in :19.596. The two-year-old gelding is conditioned by Santos Carrizales, Jr. and owned by Valeriano Racing Stables, LLC.
Pulido and Carrizales were on fire both nights of trials, qualifying a total of four horses for the Texas Classic Futurity (G1). The duo qualified Orbyson and Fancy Scarface on Thursday and Rock a Jess V and Turcotte on Friday.
The fourth fastest qualifier to the Texas Classic Futurity (G1), A Lucky Ladie stopped the clock at :19.676 in a winning effort in the eighth trial on Friday. After her 1 1/2 length victory, trainer Michael W. Joiner said, "The only time she hasn't run 1st or 2nd was in the Rainbow Futurity and she didn't get away very good. I felt good about her chances tonight, she's been training really good." Jose Enrique Ortiz was aboard for owners Lucky Six Partnership.
Doin it Just for Fun had the fastest time from Thursday night's trials, crossing the finish line in :19.743. Rodrigo Vallejo rode the gelding by FDD Dynasty to his fourth consecutive win, and a spot in the final. M. Heath Taylor trains for owner Ted G. Abrams, Sr.
Winner of the 2022 Dash for Cash Futurity, One Perfect Lady, posted a time of :19.766 in Friday's sixth trial. The time was the sixth fastest of all participants in the trials. The sorrel filly trained by Rolando Almanza was one of four horses ridden to victory on Friday by Francisco Calderon.
The complete list of qualifiers for the $1,209,172.91 Texas Classic Futurity (G1) to be run on November 19 follows:
