Tempting Lu, under jockey Jose Enriquez, posted the fastest qualifying time on Day 2 of the $3,000,000 All American Futurity(G1) on Saturday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—AUGUST 8, 2026—Tempting Lu fired a sharp 20.999 clocking Saturday at The Downs at Albuquerque to post the fastest qualifying time from Day 2 of trials for the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity.

Fourteen 440-yard trials were contested Saturday, with the five fastest horses earning berths in the September 7 final. They joined the five qualifiers produced from Friday's 14 trials (see related story) to complete the 10-horse field for Quarter Horse racing's richest race.

Tempting Lu, a sorrel daughter of champion Tempting Dash, topped Saturday's qualifiers when she won the fifth trial by one-half length in 20.999 under jockey Jose Luis Enriquez. Breaking sharply, Tempting Lu went to the front and held Rainbow Juvenile Stakes winner Jess A Bad Lil Cat off through the wire.

Omar Vargas trains Tempting Lu for owner AA Farms LLC. Simmons Racing bred the Texas-bred filly from stakes-winning and multiple stakes-producing La Mos Chingono, by Heza Fast Dash.

"We are so happy with this filly,” Ibarra said. “We knew she was talented, but we were surprised by the fastest time.” This is the first All American Futurity qualifier for Ibarra, owner of AA Farms.

A $77,000 purchase from the 2025 TQHA Yearling Sale, Tempting Lu has won two of three career starts with one second and earnings of $74,947. Her previous stakes performance came with a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 West Texas Futurity in April.

Flying Cowboys Candy turned in Saturday's second-fastest qualifying time when he dominated the second trial by 1 1/2 lengths in 21.032. Christian Cardenas put the sorrel colt on the lead immediately, and the Tony Sedillo trainee drew away late.

Flying Cowboys Candy, under jockey Christian Cardenas, qualified with the second fastest time in the second trial on day 2. © Coady Media

Owned by CHR Racing, Flying Cowboys Candy was bred in Oklahoma by PV Quarter Horse Farms LLC. He is by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 from Candy Cartels Candy, by Cartels Candy Man.

The $39,000 2025 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate has compiled a 2-4-1 record from seven starts and earned $87,257. Flying Cowboys Candy has finished second in the Four Corners Futurity, Rainbow Juvenile Stakes, and West Texas Juvenile Stakes.

Jess A Bad Lil Cat earned the third-fastest Day 2 time despite suffering his first career defeat when he finished second, one-half length behind fastest qualifier Tempting Lu in the fifth trial. The gelding stopped the timer in 21.066 for jockey Oscar Andrade Jr. after fighting gamely through the 440 yards.

Jess A Bad Lil Cat, under jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr., qualified third fastest in the fifth trial on day 2.
© Coady Media

David M. Gomez-Barraza trains Jess A Bad Lil Cat for owners Scott Branson and Jimmy Vasquez. Jimmy Negrete and Jimmy Vasquez bred the son of champion Jess Good Candy in New Mexico out of Cat Daddys Lil Girl, by Big Daddy Cartel.

Jess A Bad Lil Cat has won three of four starts and finished second once while earning $67,374. He entered Saturday's trials off a victory in the Rainbow Juvenile Stakes in his last start.

Think Twice Perry, runner-up in the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity, punched his ticket to another Grade 1 final with the fourth-fastest Day 2 clocking, winning the 13th trial in 21.120.

Think Twice Perry, under jockey Edwin Escobedo qualified in the 13th trial on day 2. © Coady Media

With Edwin G. Escobedo aboard, Think Twice Perry broke on top and never surrendered the advantage, defeating Expensive Toro by one length while leading throughout.

James J. Gonzales II trains Think Twice Perry for owner Johnny Trotter. McColee Land & Livestock LLC bred the Utah-bred gelding by leading sire Mr Jess Perry from Budder Think Twice, by First Down Dash.

A $90,000 purchase at the 2025 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Think Twice Perry has won two of five starts with one second and earnings of $191,878. His bankroll is highlighted by his runner-up finish in the $1 million Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity.

Blueyy secured Saturday's fifth and final qualifying position with a 21.176 victory in the seventh trial for jockey Luis Martinez.

Blueyy, under jockey Luis Martinez, qualified with the fifth fastest time in the seventh trial on day 2. © Coady Media

The brown filly flashed speed from the start and led throughout, crossing the wire one length in front. Abouta Get Western initially finished second but was subsequently disqualified and placed ninth by the stewards.

Manuel Rodolfo Rodriguez trains Blueyy for La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC. Bred in California by Silver Racing Farm LLC, she is a daughter of five-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty from Amore La Blue, by Mr Jess Perry.

The $90,000 2025 Ruidoso Select Yearling graduate has won two of four starts and finished third twice, earning $112,700. She came into Saturday's trials after finishing third in the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity in her last start.

Saturday's five qualifiers were Tempting Lu (:20.999, first in Trial 5), Flying Cowboys Candy (:21.032, first in Trial 2), Jess A Bad Lil Cat (:21.066, second in Trial 5), Think Twice Perry (:21.120, first in Trial 13), and Blueyy (:21.176, first in Trial 7). They will be joined by Friday's five qualifiers: Chile Gato (:20.911), Cowboys Flying (:21.019), Ask Her to Fly (:21.100), Happy Flying Bird (:21.102), and Leaving London (:21.109).

The Grade 1 All American Futurity final will be contested on September 7 at The Downs at Albuquerque. The 440-yard Labor Day classic for 2-year-olds carries a $3 million purse with the winner earning $1.5 million.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, and jockeys.

The second five fastest qualifiers from each day are preferred invites to the $200,000 All American Juveniles, which will also run back on Labor Day, September 7. For a list of those horses, CLICK HERE.

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