Cowboys Flying, the undefeated Grade 1 TQHA Sale Futurity winner, headlines Friday’s All American Futurity trials as a $50,000 supplemental nominee.

© Jack Coady Photography

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–AUGUST 6, 2026–The road to Quarter Horse racing’s richest and most prestigious event begins this weekend, as the trials for the 2026 Grade 1, $3 million All American Quarter Horse Futurity take center stage on August 7–8 at Ruidoso Downs. A total of 280 of the nation’s top two-year-olds will compete over two days of trials, with 14 heats each day, as the sport’s brightest juveniles battle 440 yards for a coveted spot in the Labor Day final.

Each day, 140 runners will sprint a quarter mile, and only the five fastest qualifiers will advance to the Grade 1 All American Futurity, where a share of the estimated $3 million purse and a place in Quarter Horse racing history await.

Adding another layer of intrigue, five owners elected to pay the $50,000 supplemental nomination fee to secure late entries into the trials. Cowboys Flying headlines Friday’s supplements in the 14th and final trial, while Saturday’s additions include Dk Bonita Jess in race one, Jess, a Bad Lil Cat in race five, One Fancy Cowboy in race nine, and Fall Classic in race eleven. Their presence strengthens an already deep and talented group of 280 juveniles vying for one of just 10 coveted berths in the championship.

Friday’s action opens with several accomplished runners, beginning in race three, where Kiss Me Ina Flash has been installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The undefeated filly enters with two wins from two starts, highlighted by a determined head victory in the Grade 2 $435,000 Oklahoma Futurity. Racing for Dunn Ranch, which purchased her for $140,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

The daughter of Kiss My Hocks is out of the First Moonflash mare Flashing My Pjs and was bred in Oklahoma by Flashing My Pjs Partnership. Trainer Jed Vane will send her from post three, with regular rider Juan Pulido aboard.

The eighth trial features another accomplished filly, Ask Her to Fly, the 3-1 morning-line favorite. The Oklahoma homebred has won three of six starts and earned $158,175 for owner-breeder A. Randall Geiselman. Her campaign includes a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity and a troubled effort in the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity after being bumped at the start.

The daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 out of the Teller Cartel mare Ask the Question has consistently competed against elite company and will look to punch her ticket to another Grade 1 final. Jason L. Olmstead trains the filly, who breaks from post six under Ramiro H. Garcia.

The spotlight on Friday belongs to the 14th and final trial, where supplemental nominee Cowboys Flying has been made the 6-5 morning-line favorite. The undefeated gelding has won all four of his career starts, including the Texas Breeders Futurity and the Grade 1 TQHA Sale Futurity, and has banked $565,993. Purchased for just $53,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale by Double J Racing.

The son of Flying Cowboy 123 is out of the Carters Cartel mare Cartels Lady and was bred in Texas by Dr. Tommy Hays. Trainer Ramiro Barajas Villarreal saddles the standout from post four, with Nestor Duran retaining the mount.

Saturday's program begins with one of the most accomplished fillies in the field. As a supplemental entry, Dk Bonita Jess tops the opening trial as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. The daughter of Apollitical Jess has won three of four starts, including the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity, and finished second in the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity. She has earned $324,251 for CH Horse Racing, LLC, which purchased her for $120,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Out of the Corona Cartel mare Marney Jo, she was bred in Mexico by Cuadra La Presita. Marco Adair Chavez-Gutierrez trains the filly, who leaves from post seven with Jesus R. Ayala aboard.

One of Saturday's deepest races is the ninth trial, where Hestan has been named the 7-5 morning-line favorite. The gelding has three wins from four starts, including the Grade 1 Zia Futurity, and exits a third-place finish in the Mountain Top Juvenile Stakes. Owned by Tungsten Racing Partnership, which purchased him for $200,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Hestan has earned $170,209.

The son of Eye Am King is out of the Big Daddy Cartel mare Donelli and was bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms. Omar Vargas trains the gelding, who will leave from post four under Jose L. Enriquez.

Another supplemental entry, Fall Classic, headlines the 11th trial as the 6-5 morning-line favorite. The unbeaten gelding has won all three of his career starts, most notably capturing the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity with a determined late surge to prevail by a head. He has earned $508,970 for owner Christopher A. Villatoro, who secured him for just $47,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

The son of Cyber Monday is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Lady Bellaqua and was bred in Missouri by Jim Streelman or Bill Dale. Rodolfo G. Valles conditions the rising star, who will break from post six with Christian Cardenas in the saddle.

Post time is set for noon on both Friday and Saturday as the sport's next generation of stars aims for one of the most coveted prizes in Quarter Horse racing. For every owner, trainer, breeder, jockey, and stable represented, months and years of preparation culminate in a 440-yard sprint. Only 10 juveniles will earn a place in the Labor Day running of the Grade 1, estimated $3 million All American Futurity, where dreams of championship glory and racing immortality will be on the line.
 

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

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