FUTURITY WINNERS MEET ON THE MOUNTAIN

Amarillo, Texas, June 9, 2006 – Two of the nation’s top American Quarter Horse freshmen will face off Sunday in the first leg of the All American Triple Crown series for 2-year-olds, the $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity (G1).

Undefeated in five starts and leading all 2-year-old colts, Ariel Campos’ Okey Dokey Fantasy (Okey Dokey Dale – Fontanas Fantasy by Lazbuddie) has already scored wins this year in the Longhorn Futurity (G2) and the Manor Downs Futurity (G1) and has banked $270,968.  Conditioned by John Boegner, he won his Ruidoso Futurity trial by a half-length and set the second-fastest qualifying time of :17.74 behind that of standout filly First Prize Robin.

First Prize Robin (Mr Jess Perry – First Prize Dash by Dash For Cash) set the fastest mark with a 1-length trial victory, going the 350 yards in :17.696.  Owned by Lloyd Scherwinski and Ed Smith, First Prize Robin has reeled off three straight wins, including the Remington Park Futurity (G1), after finishing second in her career debut on March 17, and has earned $264,267.  In the 2-year-old filly divisional ranks, First Prize Robin trails only Heritage Place Futurity (G1) winner First Carolina, who is her full sister.  The two fillies are out of a full sister to world champion and all-time leading sire First Down Dash.

The two favorites will be challenged by a field dotted with strong contenders.  Denis and Julie Schoenhofer’s Separatist Too (Separatist – Shake Softly by Special Project) broke his maiden and set the third-fastest qualifying time while winning his trial by 2 3/4 lengths.

Johnny Trotter’s Down N Dash (First Down Dash – Tell Her More by Rare Form) won the second of 14 trials in a fifth-best time of :17.808, drawing away by an impressive 3 lengths.  From the family of 2005 champion 2-year-old colt and All American Futurity winner Teller Cartel, the Blane Wood trainee was sixth in the West Texas Futurity (G1) in his last start.

The contest is the first leg of the the All American Triple Crown series, which continues on July 23 with the $625,000 Rainbow Futurity (G1) and concludes on Labor Day with the $2 million All American Futurity (G1).  Any horse that sweeps the All American Triple Crown will receive a $4 million annuity bonus or a $1.25 million cash bonus. Add in the winner’s share of each futurity and the winner’s connections could earn $5.5 million.  No horse has accomplished the feat since Special Effort in 1981.

Also on Sunday, the Ruidoso Derby (G1) will feature a showdown between champion trainer Paul Jones who will saddle four horses and trainer Sleepy Gilbreath who has three of the five fastest qualifiers.

For results of these and all official American Quarter Horse racing events, visit aqharacing.com.

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