BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

FARMINGTON, NM—AUGUST 3, 2015—Rapid James and Chickaloni are two of the 31 state-bred 2-year-olds entered in Friday’s 350-yard New Mexico Breeders’ Futurity (RG2) trials at SunRay Park.

A homebred son of Jesse James Jr, Rapid James has earned $27,340 from two outs for his owner, Currie Maben of Clovis, New Mexico, who also bred the sorrel gelding. Rapid James will be making his first start since April 4, when the gelding broke his maiden with a half-length victory in the 300-yard, $45,000 New Mexican Spring Fling Stakes (R) at Sunland Park.

Rapid James is trained by Jaime Aldavaz Jr. The gelding drew the rail post and will be ridden by Jaime Leos in the first of four trials.

Chickaloni races for brothers Ross Hinkins and David Hinkins of Roosevelt, Utah, who acquired the Jess A Chicks filly from breeders Dosi and Norma Alvarez for $7,500 at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale at Ruidoso Downs. The filly has banked $30,385 from two starts, and her race record includes a third-place finish in the April 5, 300-yard New Mexican Spring Futurity (RG2) at Sunland Park.

Lori Chavez trains Chickaloni, who drew post 7 and will be ridden by Esgar Ramirez in the fourth heat.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from Friday’s trials will meet in the $50,000-added New Mexico Breeders’ Futurity final on August 23.

All SunRay Park races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.