El Huracano V has been installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Sunday's Grade 1, $1 Million Rainbow Futurity at The Downs at Albuquerque.

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By LouanneWainscott, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–JULY 11, 2026–The Sunday afternoon card at The Downs at Albuquerque will showcase one of Quarter Horse racing's premier events, with the Grade 1, $1 Million Rainbow Futurity taking center stage as the second leg of the Quarter Horse Triple Crown for 2-year-olds. Although this year's running has been moved to The Downs at Albuquerque due to the temporary closure of Ruidoso Downs, the prestige and excitement of Rainbow weekend remain unchanged. The 10-race program begins at 1:30 p.m. and also features the $100,000 Rainbow Juvenile Stakes.

The featured ninth race is scheduled for approximately 4:50 p.m., where a talented field of ten juveniles will compete over 400 yards for the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity title.

El Huracano V has been installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite after a dominant trial performance. The gelding powered to a three-length, gate-to-wire victory, recording the eighth-fastest qualifying time after entering the trials off a heartbreaking nose defeat in the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity. Consistent throughout his young career, he has finished on the board in all four starts, with two victories, one second, and one third, while earning $212,670.

The Oklahoma homebred is by freshman sire Golden Boi and out of the Valiant Hero mare Bellissima. Racing for Valeriano Racing Stables, LLC, El Huracano V will break from post nine under jockey Francisco Calderon for trainer Raymond G. Valerio.

Ask Her to Fly is the 7-2 second choice after delivering one of the most impressive trial performances of the weekend. The filly drew away by 2 3/4 lengths to post the fastest qualifying time, securing a commanding gate-to-wire victory. Earlier this season, she qualified for the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity, finishing third. She has won three of five career starts, earning $128,175.

The Oklahoma homebred daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 is out of the Teller Cartel mare Ask the Question and races for A. Randall Geiselman. Jason L. Olmstead trains the talented filly, who will break from post five with regular rider Ramiro H. Garcia aboard.

The stakes action begins in race seven at approximately 4:00 p.m. with the $100,000 Rainbow Juvenile Stakes, where another talented group of ten juveniles will sprint 400 yards.

Flying Cowboys Candy headlines the Juvenile Stakes as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The colt earned his place in the field with a convincing 1 1/4-length trial victory, having already proven himself against top company. He finished second in both the West Texas Juvenile Stakes and the Four Corners Futurity and has been remarkably consistent through five career starts, with one win, three runner-up finishes, and one third-place effort, while banking $62,459.

Owned by CHR Racing, which purchased him for $39,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Flying Cowboys Candy is by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the Cartels Candy Man mare Candy Cartels Candy. Bred in Oklahoma by PV Quarter Horse Farms, LLC, he is conditioned by Tony E. Sedillo and will break from the outside post ten with Luis Martinez in the saddle.

Rainbow Finale weekend has long been a signature tradition in Quarter Horse racing, bringing together the sport's brightest young stars as horsemen and fans gather in anticipation of championship competition. Although this year's edition takes place at The Downs at Albuquerque, the spirit of Rainbow weekend remains as strong as ever. With two prestigious stakes races featuring many of the nation's top 2-year-olds, Sunday's program promises thrilling performances and another memorable chapter in one of Quarter Horse racing's most celebrated events.

 

The races at Albuquerque Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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