Fast Fly (#2), under jockey Ruben Lozano, holds off Miss Royal Hawk (#7) in the $95,000 Grants Pass Downs Firecracker Futurity on Saturday.

© Vince & Linda Williams

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

GRANTS PASS, OR–JULY 4, 2026–Overlooked at odds of 15-1, Fast Fly dug in gamely through the final strides to hold off heavy favorite Miss Royal Hawk by a neck in Saturday's $95,000 Grants Pass Firecracker Futurity at Grants Pass Downs.

The sorrel gelding covered 300 yards in 15.302 while earning a 102 speed index, giving owner-breeder-trainer Juan Manuel Marquez a sweep of the race's top honors.

Bred in Washington, Fast Fly is a 2-year-old son of Fly Chisholm Fly out of the Thoroughbred mare Chelsea's Flame, by Flame Thrower. Ridden by Ruben Lozano, the gelding broke sharply, dueled for the early advantage, inched clear, then held firm under pressure through the wire to secure the $38,000 winner's share. It was the first win in three career starts for the 2-year-old.

Despite encountering trouble leaving the gate, Miss Royal Hawk put forth a determined rally to finish second, beaten only a neck. The sorrel filly by The Cartel Hawk, from Miss Royal Rumble by Royal Shake Em, races for owner Ismael Villarreal and was bred in Oregon by Villarreal. Jose A. Rosales Gomez trains the filly, who was ridden by Julian Zavala.

Winner of the Pocatello Downs Spring Futurity in May, Miss Royal Hawk suffered her first loss in three starts. The $16,500 boosted her earnings to $37,294.

Another three-quarters of a length back in third was Ima Flyin Fool, a bay gelding by Mr Apollitical Dash out of One Flyin Foose, by Foose. Bred in Oregon by Matt Huse, who also owns the gelding, Ima Flyin Fool is trained by Freddy Ibarra and was ridden by Blake Nunnally.

After breaking outward and brushing a rival at the start, he recovered well to finish a solid third, one length ahead of the rest of the field. He picked up $10,450 for the effort.

Completing the order of finish were Iza Diva, Heza Runaway Wagon, Big Tony T, and B My Lucky Lady. Scratched prior to the race were All Gussyed Up, Moon Light Cre, and One Fabulous Cartel.

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Grants Pass Firecracker Consolation

Docs Flaming Card turned in a determined effort to capture the $14,000 Firecracker Futurity Consolation (not black type) at Grants Pass, holding off a late charge from Kvn Popped Off to score by a head in a sharp 15.417 for 300 yards, earning a 97 speed index.

Docs Flaming Card (#3) under jockey Jose Guerrero, won the $14,000 Grants Pass Firecracker Futurity Consolation.
 © Vince & Linda Williams

Hustled to the lead by jockey Jose C. Guerrero, the gray colt by multiple stakes sire Docs Best Card out of Seperate Flame, by Separatist, raced for owner/breeder Adrian Oliva Gomez of Oregon and is trained by Jose A. Rosales Gomez.

After gaining command early, Docs Flaming Card remained clear through the stretch and had enough left to withstand the runner-up's closing rally. A two-time winner in three starts, he has earned $7,000 for the effort.

Kvn Popped Off, a filly by champion Kvn Corona out of Mda Jess My Girl, by Jess Pop My Rocket, rallied strongly after breaking out at the start but came up just a head short. Racing for owner/trainer Fernando Fernandez, the Oklahoma-bred was bred by Jose Hernandez Garcia and was a $4,500 purchase at the 2025 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale. She earned $3,500.

Survivor T completed the trifecta after dueling throughout before being outfinished late. The gelding by Political Cowboy out of Catrina Royal Jet, by Jet Black Patriot, races for owner Hernan Torres, was bred in Oregon by Jose Luis Torres Arenas, is trained by Mario Portillo, and was ridden by David A. Martin. Survivor T picked up $1,680 for the effort.

Completing the field were Calico Queen, Miscalculation, Tacos Forever, Travelin Fast Mc, Valiant Lil Bit, La Belle Mere, and Hott Smartie.

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Docs Flaming Card, under jockey Jose Guerrero, won the $14,000 Grants Pass Firecracker Futurity Consolation. © Vince & Linda Williams