GRANTS PASS, OR—JUNE 17, 2018—In her first career start Harem Bar Cartel rallied to defeat Pot O'Gold Futurity runner-up Arizona Favorite in the last of three trials for the Oregon Quarter Horse Racing Association's Firecracker Futurity at Grants Pass Downs.

Ridden by jockey Ruben Lozano, Harem Bar Cartel completed the 350 yards in a quick :17.605 clocking to set the bar and earn a 103 speed index.

The first of two qualifiers, saddled by trainer Danny Montes, Harem Bar Cartel races for owner Jorge L. Carmona. The A Regal Choice, Inc. bred the daughter of #2 first-crop sire Five Bar Cartel in California from the Wave Carver mare Harem Carver.

The aforementioned Arizona Favorite, who remains a maiden from three starts this season, held on to the second fastest clocking of :17.653 seconds, a 102 speed index. Hector Magallanes, who saddled three Firecracker qualifiers in today's (Sunday) race card, conditions the son of multiple stakes sire Favorite Cartel for owner/breeders Kevin and Robin Allred's K and R Allred Ranch LLC.

Third in his career debut at Sun Downs in April, Arizona Favorite was the ninth fastest qualifier for the $32,983 Pot O'Gold Futurity. He rallied in the May 6th futurity final to finish second behind another Five Bar Cartel filly, Ladys A Cartel.

Out of the Check Him Out mare Check Her For Cash, Arizona Favorite has earned $6,825 this season.

Shipping in from Los Alamitos Race Course, Reginas Royal Choice broke her maiden in the opening trial to post the third fastest time of :17.673 seconds, a 101 speed index.

Also trained by Montes and ridden by Lozano, the California-bred daughter of Royaltys Choice races for owner Erik Flores. Out of the A Classic Dash mare Fed X Dash, Reginas Royal Choice finished 8th in a troubled maiden start on May 11. She was the second qualifier bred by A Regal Choice, Inc.

Stakes finalist Jesstafiably Jess finished a nose off Royaltys Choice to get the fourth fastest time of :17.680 seconds, also a 101 speed index. Trainer Benito Curiel saddled the Washington homebred for owner/breeder Malon Cowgill. The son of leading sire One Sweet Jess is out of Fly Thru Time by Strawfly Special. He has compiled a (3) 1-1-0 record and was seventh in the Pot O'Gold Futurity final.

Trainer Hector Magallanes also saddled the second trial winner, Willy B Gone, to the 10th qualifying time for owner Chris Philbrook. It was the first win three starts for the Jess Louisiana Blue colt who was fifth in the Pot O'Gold Futurity in his last start.

Michael and Shannon McKay bred Willy B Gone in Oregon from the Splash Bac mare Time To Splash. He has earned $3,560.

The eight fastest qualifiers from today's (Sunday) trials races will return to Grants Pass Downs on July 4th to vie for the winner's share of a $28,000-est. purse going 350 yards.

For the complete list of finalists, with their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.