Ding Dang Dulce, under jockey Fernando Fonseca-Soto, posted the fastest qualifying time to the $71,300 Northlands Futurity on Thursday at Canterbury Park.

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By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

SHAKOPEE, MN—AUGUST 7, 2025— Ding Dang Dulce, a $10,000 purchase from the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, posted the fastest qualifying time Thursday at Canterbury Park to lead the field into the $71,300 Northlands Futurity final on August 21.

Three trials at 350 yards determined the 10 fastest 2-year-olds, who will return for the lucrative final.

Breaking sharply from the rail in the first trial, Ding Dang Dulce fought gamely to hold off Ur Favorite Tio by a head, stopping the timer in 17.547 seconds, a 101 speed index into a 7 mph crosswind.

The Oklahoma-bred sorrel gelding is by leading first-crop sire Dulce Sin Tacha out of Valiant Strawfly, by Valiant Hero. He is owned and trained by Haley N. Hobbs, bred by Neff Hogue Farm LLC, and ridden by Fernando Fonseca-Soto.

Second in the Laico Birst Stakes(RG3) and third in the Easy Jets(G3) stakes at Remington Park earlier this year, Ding Dang Dulce has won two of five starts and banked $43,310.

Ur Favorite Tio, the second-fastest qualifier, also came from the opening heat. The $31,000 Ruidoso Yearling Sale purchase by leading second-crop sire Uncle D out of Fernweh by Favorite Cartel was making a strong late bid but came up just short in 17.580 seconds.

The California-bred gelding is owned by Tom Maher, trained by Jason L. Olmstead, bred by Shaun Hubbard, and piloted by Gonzalo R. Valles Jr. In his last start, July 10, Ur Favorite Tio won the MQHRA Stallion Auction Futurity. He has earned $28748 in five starts.

The third-fastest time came from Nme 123, also from Trial 1, who closed powerfully to finish third, clocking 17.860. The Texas-bred filly is by champion Flying Cowboy 123 out of On Nyx, by Kiss My Hocks.

Purchased for $42,000 at the 2025 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, she is owned by Tom Maher, trained by Tyler Stein, bred by Tykhe Racing LLC, and ridden by Angel O. Ramirez. She has two wins in three starts this season.

The Northlands Futurity final, set for Thursday, August 21, will offer a purse of $71,300 and be contested at 350 yards. The top 10 qualifiers from Thursday’s trials will battle for the winner’s share in one of Canterbury Park’s most prestigious Quarter Horse events of the season.

CLICK HERE for the complete list with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

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