Ruidoso Downs will host the second day of trials for the $1,000,000 Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1) on Saturday.

© Ruidoso Downs Race Track

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—MAY 24, 2025—A full day of racing awaits Friday at Ruidoso Downs as 144 of the country’s fastest 2-year-olds go to post in 15 trial races for the 2025 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity. Only the five fastest times of the day will earn a berth in the 350-yard, $1 million final set for June 8.

The second day of trials showcases top-tier talent, including high-dollar auction purchases, stakes-experienced runners, and several lightly raced standouts.

Among the most anticipated juveniles are Lareda, Flying Chance, Train Station Tours, Ring of Fyre, and Carsons Cartel—each with the credentials to contend for a spot in the lucrative final.

Lareda Brings Class to Race 3

A $300,000 Ruidoso Select Sale graduate, Lareda makes her third career start in Race 3, post 10. The daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 out of Ms Kates Angel by First Down Dash broke her maiden at Remington Park in the trials before finishing seventh in the Grade 2 Oklahoma Futurity final.

Owned by E. Gene and Tod Bradley, trained by Trey Wood, and bred by Jerry Windham, Lareda will be ridden by champion jockey Ricky Ramirez. She enters Friday with earnings of $22,627.

Flying Chance Aims to Stay Perfect

Also by Flying Cowboy 123, Flying Chance was a late-running debut winner by half-a-length at Remington Park in his only start March 25. He breaks from post 7 in Race 8 for trainer James J. Gonzales III and owners JC and CF, LLC.

Out of Little Affection by Jodys Money Pop, Flying Chance was bred by Tyler and Naia Graham and purchased for $185,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale. He reunites with Ricky Ramirez and brings earnings of $11,865 into his second start.

Train Station Tours Gets the Day Started

Opening the card in Race 1, post 7, Train Station Tours comes in off a solid maiden trial victory in first career start followed by a ninth-place troubled finish in the $420,000 Oklahoma Futurity(G2). The gelded son of Freighttrain B is out of Great Grace by Apollitical Jess.

Trained by Clinton Crawford, owned by Katie Larson, and bred by G. Mitchell and B & L Herricks, he was a $23,000 purchase at the Ruidoso Select Sale. Juan Pulido rides the gelding, who has $14,287 in earnings.

Ring of Fyre Ready to Fire from Race 7

Ring of Fyre, a gray filly by multiple stakes sire Kvn Corona, enters Race 7, post 4 off a two length maiden win at SunRay Park. Prio to that she was seventh in the $365,000 West Texas Futurity(G2) at Sunalnd Park. Out of Fires Relentless by Hes Relentless, she was purchased for $30,000 at the Ruidoso Select Sale.

She races for Scott Branson and Jimmy Vasquez, is trained by Jorge Luis Sanchez Jr., and was bred by T&M Dinwiddie Racing. Luis Martinez is aboard as she seeks to qualify off her third start.

Carsons Cartel Brings Consistency into Race 9

Carsons Cartel, a two-time starter, brings consistency and stakes experience into Race 9, post 4. He was second in the $50,000 West Texas Juvenile Stakes after a strong third in his debut trial.

Sired by Bogart and out of Daddys Cartel by Big Daddy Cartel, the gelding is owned and bred by La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC, trained by Xavier E. Rodriguez, and will again be partnered with Luis Martinez.

Full Fields, Fast Times

With 147 horses entered across 15 races, competition will be fierce and qualifying will come down to the clock. A clean break, firm footing, and a little racing luck could be the difference between earning a ticket to the final—or heading back to the barn.

While proven runners like Lareda and Flying Chance have the spotlight, consistent efforts from Train Station Tours, Ring of Fyre, and Carsons Cartel could disrupt expectations. Only the five fastest will join Friday's five fastest in the $1,000,000 Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1) final on Sunday, June 8.

Friday at Ruidoso promises speed, surprises, and the next step toward juvenile racing’s most coveted title.

Sunday’s race card at Ruidoso Downs on May 25 features a full slate of Quarter Horse trials for the $1 million Ruidoso Derby, with first post time set for noon MDT.

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