Racing


London Bridge Scores First Stakes Victory In Turf Paradise QH Futurity
London Bridge and jockey Luis Valenzuela power clear late to capture the $97,800 AQRA Turf Paradise Open Quarter Horse Futurity on Monday at Turf Paradise.

© Coady Media
London Bridge Scores First Stakes Victory In Turf Paradise QH Futurity

PHOENIX, AZ—DECEMBER 22, 2025—London Bridge scored the first stakes victory of his career in the $97,800 AQRA Turf Paradise Open Quarter Horse Futurity on Monday afternoon at Turf Paradise.

The gray gelding, who was the fastest qualifier from the trials, validated that effort over the 400-yard distance, breaking alertly and taking command at first call under jockey Luis Valenzuela. London Bridge stopped the clock in 19.559 seconds while earning a 105 speed index, to score by three-quarters of a length over Rr Sweet Memories.

Trained by Andres Gonzalez, London Bridge earned $48,900 for owner Lionel Zapata. With today’s victory, he now owns a record of two wins and one second from three starts with earnings of $55,692.

The winning connections of London Bridge accept the Turf Paradise Open Futurity trophy on Monday. © Coady Media

The son Mental Error was bred in California by Steve D. Burns, DVM. He is out of the Foose mare No Arizona. London Bridge was a $47,000 purchase at the 2024 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. His sire, Mental Error, continues to make an early impact as a sire, ranking as the No. 2 leading first-crop sire of stakes winners with three.

Rr Sweet Memories finished second after a determined late run. The bay filly, owned by Buckway Ranch LLC and trained by Joe Davis, was ridden by Edwin Escobedo.

She covered the distance in 19.659 seconds with a 102 speed index. Rr Sweet Memories has now earned $44,642 from ten starts. She previously placed fourth in the Los Alamitos Juvenile Challenge earlier this season and earned her first career black type placing with this effort.

Rr Memories was bred in Oklahoma by Reliance Ranches LLC. Rr Sweet Memories out of the Coronado Cartel mare Conquering Marie, bred by Reliance Ranches. The daughter of Jess Good Candy was a $100,000 graduate of the 2024 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale,

Third went to Rm Dulce Valiente, a black gelding owned and trained by Heber Deyta-Melendez and ridden by Brian Cobos Barraza. He was bred in Oklahoma by Kiowa Creek Performance Horses out of the Teller Cartel mare Teller Shes Sweet.

The son of Valiant Hero stopped the timer in 19.788 seconds with a 98 speed index, finishing a neck behind the runner-up. Rm Dulce Valiente has yet to break his maiden from six starts and has earned $12,842.

Chillithang finished fourth, followed by Jj the Boss in fifth, You Got Litt Up sixth, Bf Dulce Sin Rage seventh, Pegaso Marengo eighth, Cant Be Swayed ninth, and State Secretz completing the order of finish in tenth.
 

$22,800 TURF PARADISE OPEN QH FUTURITY CONSOLATION

BM Candi wish wins the Turf Paradise Open Futurity Consolation on Monday. © Coady Media
Bm Candi Wish captured the $22,800 Turf Paradise Open Quarter Horse Futurity Consolation (not black type), scoring by three-quarters of a length in the 400-yard dash. Ridden Edwin Escobedo, the brown filly stopped the clock in 19.950 seconds, earning a 94 speed index.

 

Breaking from post 9, Bm Candi Wish took control at first call and never faced a serious challenge, maintaining her advantage through the wire. She is trained by Joe M. Davis for Heavy Hitters Racing Stables.

Bred in Texas by Bobby Myers, Bm Candi Wish is by Dulce Sin Tacha and out of Ivory Wish, by Ivory James. With the win, she now owns three victories from eight career starts and has earned $31,504.

Rue finished second under jockey Noe Garcia Jr. and is trained by David John Williams for J Lazy Six Racing. Rue was bred by William E. Smith out of First Caroline Rose, by Corona Cartel. The daughter of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 has now won three times from five starts with $45,522 in earnings.

I Am All the Way Up completed the trifecta after brushing the break and mounting a mild rally in the stretch to finish third by a neck. Manuel Americano rode the filly for trainer Dru Hall and owners Chuck and Erica Jaure.

The daughter of Kiddy Up was bred in California by Edward C. Allred out of Too Gabby, by Stel Corona. She has compiled a record of one win, two seconds, and one third from six starts, with earnings of $12,399.

Hiclass Famous One finished fourth, followed by Indy Road King in fifth, Chillaxxin sixth, Marko Ramius seventh, Cd Favorite Aj eighth, Freedum ninth, and Our Error rounding out the field in tenth.

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