Fastest qualifier from the trials, Bridger headlines the $389,483 New Mexican Spring Futurity at Sunland Park on Saturday

© Coady Media

By Eric Alwan

SUNLAND PARK–APRIL 3, 2026–Trainer Eric Valenzuela will saddle morning line favorite Bridger in Saturday's 30th running of the New Mexican Spring Futurity (R-G2), one of several stakes races on the program as the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino season approaches its final day.

Bridger, owned by Tungsten Racing Partnership and Rancho El 48, LLC and bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms, became the fastest qualifier for the New Mexican Spring Futurity after winning his trial heat on March 14 in a time of 14.978 seconds for 300 yards. The son of Eye Am King won his trial heat by an impressive two lengths under jockey Jose Ortiz, who is back aboard the gelding.

Purchased at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale 2025 for $155,000, Bridger is one of three runners who qualified for the New Mexican Spring Futurity. Valenzuela will also be represented by Super Patriot, a narrow winner in his trial heat under Jose Enriquez, as well as Big Ted, who earned his way into the Futurity with a trial win under Jordy Muniz.

Bridger has been installed as the 3-to-1 morning line favorite and will break from post six in the 10-horse field. The New Mexican Spring Futurity will run for a purse of $389,493 and will be the 11th race on Saturday's 12-race program.

Trainer Xavier Rodriguez will also be represented by a trio of starters in the New Mexican Spring Futurity. Headlining that bunch will be Bogarts Brown Sugar, who broke his maiden in his debut, making him the sixth fastest qualifier in the finals. The son of Bogart is owned and bred by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and will break from post two with Luis Martinez slated to ride.

Rodriguez will also be represented in the Futurity by Bigg Twist and rider Jesus Ayala as well as Moonin The Moon with Noe Garcia, Jr. in the saddle.

Trainer Clinton Crawford will send out Big Avery, the second-fastest qualifier for the race with jockey Jacob Enriquez.

Big Avery, a son of Big Daddy Cartel, won his trial heat by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 15.136 seconds. Owned by Chris Lykins, Conda Maze and Downtime Enterprises, LLC, Big Avery was bred in New Mexico by Triple R Racing Stables LLC and will break from post eight in the dash as the 7-to-2 second choice on the morning line.

Owner/trainer Jorge Luis Sanchez, Jr. will send out 9-to-2 third choice Royal Dynasty MRB from post nine in the New Mexican Spring Futurity with Oscar Andrade, Jr. in the irons.

A son of Running Buddy purchased for $4,500 from breeder MRB Racing LLC at last year's Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale, Royal Dynasty MRB earned his way into the starting gate as the third fastest qualifier with a time of 15.138 seconds winning his trial heat by a half-length.

Post time for Saturday's New Mexican Spring Futurity is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.. 

The field for the $389,493 New Mexican Spring Futurity, with morning line odds and riders:
1 PEPA JET (12-1) Ricky Ramirez
2 BOGARTS BROWN SUGAR (8-1) Luis Martinez
3 BERNIN DAYLIGHT (20-1) Gabriel Medrano
4 BIGG TWIST (8-1) Jesus Ayala
5 MOONIN THE MOON (15-1) Noe Garcia, Jr.
6 BRIDGER (3-1) Jose Ortiz
7 BIG TED (10-1) Jordy Muniz
8 BIG AVERY (7/2) Jacob Enriquez
9 ROYAL DYNASTY MRB (9/2) Oscar Andrade, Jr.
10 SUPER PATRIOT (6-1) Jose Enriquez

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