Highly Lethal V emerged as the fastest qualifier from the second night and overall after an impressive victory in the 12th trial.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–MAY 23, 2026– Thirteen additional trial races were contested Saturday at Albuquerque Downs to determine the remaining five qualifiers for both the $1,000,000 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity and the $100,000 Ruidoso Juvenile. The trials were held at 350 yards for two-year-olds nominated and eligible to the prestigious futurity program.

Highly Lethal V emerged as the fastest qualifier from the second night and overall after an impressive victory in the 12th trial. The homebred gelding races for Valeriano Racing Stables LLC, is trained by Raymond Valerio, and was ridden by Francisco Calderon.

The son of all-time leading sire Apollitical Jess is out of the stakes-placed Tres Seis mare Lethal Class and is a half-brother to stakes winner Lethal Avenger ($470,745). The female family includes champions Volcom Bay ($426,023), Relentless Eagle ($316,935), Volcoms Favorite ($209,443), and world champion Lethal Cowboy 123 ($1,271,529).

Highly Lethal V stopped the timer in :16.937 seconds  while earning a 106 speed index over a fast track with a 6 mph crosswind. The gelding was making just his second career start.

Nine Degrees posted the second-fastest qualifying time of the night and overall while dominating the third trial. The gelding, bred by Randy and Sandy Coleman, races for AA Farms LLC, is trained by Eric Valenzuela, and was ridden by Jose Luis Enriquez.

Nine Degrees posted the second-fastest qualifying time of the night and overall while dominating the third trial. em>© Coady media

A $71,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate, Nine Degrees is sired by champion Kiss My Hocks and out of the stakes-winning One Famous Eagle mare Onthewingsofaneagle ($72,029), a half-sister to stakes winner Relentlessly ($343,743).

Coming into the trials off a finalist effort in the West Texas Futurity (G2), the gelding delivered a sharp performance while drawing clear late to stop the clock in :16.967 seconds with a 105 speed index. The trial was contested over a fast track with a 3 mph crosswind.

My Golden Boy earned the third-fastest time of the night and fourth-fastest overall after finishing second to Highly Lethal V in race 12. Bred by Valeriano Racing LLC and R. Medrano, the gelding is owned by Christopher and Melody Lykins, trained by Clinton Crawford, and ridden by Jacob Enriquez.

The $45,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate is sired by champion Golden Boi and out of the winning Apollitical Jess mare My Mystery Lover, a half-sister to stakes winner Rockin Red Rhythm ($56,233).

My Golden Boy stopped the clock in :17.051 seconds while earning a 103 speed index and has now finished in the money in both career starts. The 12th trial was run over a fast track with a 6 mph crosswind.

Full list of Futurity qualifiers HERE.

For the $100,000 Ruidoso Juvenile, Promising topped the second night and overall qualifying list with a strong victory in the second trial.

Bred by Edward Allred, the gelding is trained by Eric Valenzuela and races for Tungsten Racing Partnership, Barron Racing LLC, Mario Ortega, and Empire Racing. Jose Enrique Ortiz had the riding assignment aboard the son of champion Golden Boi.

Promising is out of the winning Seperate Interest mare Seems Up, a full sister to stakes winner She Goes Up ($219,647) and a half-sister to four additional stakes winners. The second dam is stakes winner Up For It ($164,280).

Coming off a third-place effort in the West Texas Juvenile Stakes, Promising covered the 350 yards in :17.216 while earning a 97 speed index. The second trial was contested over a fast track with a 3 mph tailwind.

The gelding now owns a record of three starts with two wins and one third while increasing his earnings total to $22,340.

Full list of Juvenile qualifiers HERE.

The $1,000,000 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity and the $100,000 Ruidoso Juvenile finals will both be contested at 350 yards on June 7 at Albuquerque Downs.

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