After clocking the fastest time in the trials, Tempting Lu will return to the West Texas Futurity finals on Saturday as the morning-line favorite.

© Coady Media

By Eric Alwan

SUNLAND PARK–APRIL 3, 2026–Trainer Eric Valenzuela will be represented by a trio of starters, including 3-to-1 morning line favorite Tempting Lu in Saturday's 66th running of the $353,471 Grade 2 West Texas Futurity, the 12th and final race on the Saturday program.

Tempting Lu was a romping winner in her debut March 13, breaking her maiden by more than 2 lengths and racing her way to the role of fastest qualifier racing 300 yards in a time of 15.002 seconds. The Texas-bred daughter of Tempting Dash was purchased at last year's TQHA Yearling Sale for $77,000 by owners AA Farms, LLC.

Tempting Lu will be ridden once again by Jose Enriquez and will break from post four in the 10-horse field.

Valenzuela will also saddle longshots Nine Degrees and GBH Cowboy in the West Texas Futurity.

Trainer Clinton Crawford will send out Tater Hill Senator in the West Texas Futurity, listed as the 7-to-2 second choice on the morning line.

Owned by H.E. "Sam" and Jacque M. Rich, the Texas-bred son of Cyber Monday won his debut by 1 1-2 lengths in a time of 15.078 seconds under Jacob Enriquez, who will be back aboard in the Futurity when they break from post eight.

Tater Hill Senator was a $40,000 purchase at last year's Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale and was the second-fastest qualifier for the Futurity.

Trainer Xavier Rodriguez will be seeking his second straight winner in the West Texas Futurity when he sends Chief Keef 123 from the rail under jockey Luis Martinez.

The son of Flying Cowboy 123 is owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Ray Willis. He won his debut by nearly two lengths in a time of 15.154 seconds.

Rodriguez trained Political Twist to victory in last year's West Texas Futurity.

The field for the $353,471 Grade 2 West Texas Futurity, with morning line odds and riders:
1 Chief Keef 123 (8-1) Luis Martinez
2 Cowgirl Eats Fire (12-1) Ricky Ramirez
3 Lil Kool Panther (20-1) Jesse Levario
4 Tempting Lu (3-1) Jose Enriquez
5 Nine Degrees (10-1) Jordy Muniz
6 GBH Cowboy (15-1) Jose Ortiz
7 Jj Kiss (8-1) Jorge Garcia
8 Tater Hill Senator (7-2) Jacob Enriquez
9 Hock Ajet (6-1) Luis Flores Garcia
10 Ab Ms Robyn (9-2) Nestor Duran

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