On Friday, March 13th, the card at Sunland Park will feature the 65th running of the West Texas Futurity Trials, where one hundred and forty juveniles will compete throughout fourteen trial heats.

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By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

SUNLAND PARK, NM–MARCH 9, 2026–On Friday, March 13th, the card at Sunland Park will feature the 65th running of the West Texas Futurity Trials, where one hundred and forty juveniles will compete throughout fourteen trial heats vying to clock a time among the fastest qualifiers. The ten fastest two-year-olds will return to contest the Grade 2, $100,000-added West Texas Futurity, while the second ten fastest will return for the $50,000 West Texas Juvenile Stakes on April 4th.

The 300-yard trials annually serve as one of the most anticipated early-season tests for young Quarter Horse prospects, offering the first major opportunity for many juveniles to showcase their speed and potential on the road to futurity competition.

Among the runners attracting significant attention is Starlink, who has already flashed exceptional ability during morning preparation. The Texas-bred filly by One Famous Eagle recorded the fastest workout among the entrants when stopping the clock in a blazing :11.44 for 220 yards while breezing. That move ranked first out of 149 workers and immediately stamped her as one of the quickest prospects preparing for the trials. With that kind of early speed, Starlink enters her debut as a filly capable of making a serious impact.

Starlink is out of Riglet (TB) by Right Rigger (TB) and was bred and is owned by Mrs. Jana Trotter. Champion trainer Xavier Rodriguez will saddle the filly in the third trial heat from post five with Jesus R. Ayala aboard.

Another juvenile showing sharp preparation is Tres Shall Be First, a daughter of Tres Seis who turned in one of the strongest workouts heading into the trials. The Oklahoma-bred filly posted an impressive :11.71 workout to record the fastest work in her set and has steadily progressed in her training leading into her career debut. Purchased for $65,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale by MRB Racing, LLC, Tres Shall Be First brings both a strong pedigree and encouraging preparation.

Sired by Tres Seis and out of Last Shall Be First by Strawfly Special, the filly was bred in Oklahoma by Mario Zerlotti and Guy Peixoto. Trainer Manuel Rodolfo Rodriguez will saddle her in the first trial heat from post six with Gabriel Medrano guiding her.

Another runner drawing attention appears in the second trial heat, where Sole Survivor enters as one of the highest-priced yearlings in the field. The filly sold for $110,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale and carries the pedigree and expectations that often accompany such a purchase. Sired by Favorite Cartel and bred in California by Steve D. Burns, DVM, Sole Survivor has already turned in a solid :11.81 workout that suggests the six-figure investment may have the speed needed to compete at this level.

Trainer Trey Wood will saddle the filly from post position two with jockey Ricky Ramirez named to ride.

Also representing the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale is Runner On the Rise, another highly regarded prospect who sold for $105,000 and has displayed promising speed during training. The son of FDD Dynasty posted a sharp :11.65 workout and comes into the trials as a well-bred contender capable of challenging the top juveniles.

Runner On the Rise races for La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC and Caliche Walls Venture, LLC. Champion trainer Xavier Rodriguez will saddle the gelding from post seven with champion jockey Luis Martinez assigned to ride.

With one hundred and forty juveniles set to break from the gates across fourteen trial heats, the West Texas Futurity Trials promise to showcase a deep and talented group of two-year-olds. Between standout workouts and high-priced yearlings looking to justify their purchase prices, the trials could offer the first glimpse of several rising stars beginning their journey toward futurity success at Sunland Park.

The races at Sunland Park can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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