Racing


Unome Valentine Makes Steady Drive For Fastest Time In $209,850 Gillespie County Fair Futurity
Unome Valentine, ridden by Jose Herbert, clocks fastest time to the $209,850 Gillespie County Fair Futurity Saturday afternoon at Gillespie County Fairgrounds.

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Unome Valentine Makes Steady Drive For Fastest Time In $209,850 Gillespie County Fair Futurity

FREDERICKSBURG, TX–AUGUST 13, 2022–Unome Valentine clocked the fastest qualifying time in the $209,850 Gillespie County Fair Futurity trials. Three of the fastest times came from the third of eight trials held at Gillespie County Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon.

Ridden by Jose Herbert, Unome Valentine made a steady drive towards the finish line just behind the leader Lj Luna Llena but prevailed by a neck at the wire. The son of A Dashing Valentine clocked a 102 speed index in :17.524 seconds in the 350 yard race with a 7 mph crosswind. With 13/5 odds at post-time, his winning effort paid $9.20 on a $2.00 wager.

Trained by Juan Diaz, Jr., Unome Valentine has won 3 out of 4 starts in his freshman campaign earning $17,101 for owner Josefina Guzman. Bred by the late Jose Guzman of Oklahoma, the sorrel gelding is out of Unome Love by Unome.

Second fastest qualifier Lj Luna Llena had a nice run in trial #3, but was caught late by Unome Valentine at the wire, placing second a 1/2-length over Cute Corona Lime. Ridden by Nestor Duran, the daughter of Kvn Corona clocked a 99 speed index in :17.576 seconds and paid $3.60 to show.

Bred by Elizabeth Vivanco of Texas, Lj Luna Llena sold to her owner/trainer Jose Espinosa in the 2021 TQHA Yearling Sale for $52,000. Out of Risen Eagle by One Famous Eagle, the two-year-old filly was a finalist in the Sam Houston Futurity (G2) earlier this season and has earned $33,240. 

CLICK HERE for complete details on the Gillespie County Fair Futurity trials, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey. Finals are to be ran on August 28, 2022.