TUCSON, AZ—FEBRUARY 25, 2017—Making his first start of the year, 3-year-old Black Ops broke his maiden in an impressive one-length win to post the top qualifying time for the Rulon Goodman AQHA Maiden Challenge (not black type) on Saturday at Rillito Park.

The eight-fastest qualifiers, from two trials of Challenge-enrolled 3-year-olds and up, will return to the Arizona racetrack on Sunday, March 12th to vie for the winners' share of a $5,000-added purse going 350 yards.

Ridden by jockey Emilio Tapia, Black Ops was much the best as he went wire-to-wire in :17.430 seconds, earning a 100-speed index, while posting the fastest time.

Trainer Roy Ronquillo conditions the 3-year-old son of Frist Wrangler for owner Cynthia Rodriguez. Will Evans bred the black gelding in Texas from the Raise The Gamble mare Savona. Last season his best finish from three starts was third in a Turf Paradise maiden race.

Lookin Tempting, a 4-year-old daughter of champion sire Tempting Dash, was a game second in the first trial behind Black Ops to get the second fastest clocking of :17,598 seconds, a 95-speed index.

Owned-and-trained by Alex Torres-Casas, the sorrel mare has compiled a (12) 0-1-4 record and earned $5,913. Michel Ybarra was aboard the Oklahoma-bred from the Feature Mr Jess mare Jess Lookin. Corner K Quarter Horses LLC is the breeder.

Jockey Emilio Tapia also rode Two Step Dash, a daughter of Inseperable, who broke her maiden in the second trial to get the third fastest time of :17.706, a 92-speed index. Owned-and-trained by Cesar J. Lopez, Two Step Dash has a (10) 1-0-1 record with $2,733 in the bank.

Andrew Gardiner bred the 4-year-old mare in Texas from the Royal Quick Dash mare Sundance Dash.

For a complete list of finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys for the Rulon Goodman AQHA Maiden Challenge CLICK HERE.

Editor's note: A photo of the fastest qualifier will be posted when it becomes available