Uncle Redheads posted the fastest qualifying time for the $303,500 Valley Junction Futurity (G3) at Prairie Meadows on Sunday.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA—SEPTEMBER 7, 2025—Seven trials were contested Sunday at Prairie Meadows to determine the 10 fastest qualifiers to the $303,500 Valley Junction Futurity (G3), and it was Uncle Redheads who blazed the fastest path to the September 26 final.

The 2-year-old gelding posted the top qualifying time of 17.823 for 350 yards, winning the first trial by 1 ¼ lengths.

Owned by Cavenaugh Quarter Horses, LLC and trained by Jason L. Olmstead, Uncle Redheads was ridden to his second consecutive win in six starts by Armando Alvidrez.

Bred in Oklahoma by Charles and Elizabeth Horton, the gelding is by champion, leading second-year sire Uncle D, and out of Redheads Run Hotter, a daughter of One Sweet Jess. The victory marked a sharp return to form, and the gelding will head into the final as the one to beat.

Second-fastest qualifier honors went to Atsi Monday, who delivered an impressive performance in the fourth trial. The Oklahoma-bred filly stopped the clock in 17.849 while pulling clear late under jockey Ramiro Haro Garcia.

Owned and bred by Brenda Reiswig, the daughter of first-crop sire Cyber Monday out of Atsi Hero by Valiant Hero, is also conditioned by Jason L. Olmstead and has won her last two starts.

Completing the top three qualifiers was One Glittering Flare, who earned his spot in the final with a determined gate-to-wire score in the fifth trial. The New Mexico-bred colt posted a time of 17.861 while holding off a late challenge under jockey Jorge Torres.

Owned by Barron Racing LLC and trained by Fernando Ivan Manriquez, One Glittering Flare was bred by Sierra Hugo Barron and is by Flare For Ivory out of Seis Star Glitter, a daughter of Tres Seis. One Glittering Flare has also won his last two starts.

Flying Cowboy 123 led all sires with three finalists, while Uncle D sired two

The 10 fastest qualifiers from Sunday’s seven trials will return for the $303,500 Valley Junction Futurity (G3) final on Friday, September 26, at Prairie Meadows. The 350-yard feature promises a competitive showdown among some of the top 2-year-old prospects in the Midwest.

CLICK HERE for the complete lists including connections, times, and breeding.

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