Painted Eclipse, piloted by Luis Martinez, wins the $311,896 West Texas Futurity [G2] by a nose at Sunland Park on Saturday

© Coady Photography

SUNLAND PARK, NM–APRIL 6, 2024–The 64th renewal of the $311,896 West Texas Futurity [G2] closes out the quarter horse racing season for 2024 at Sunland Park on Saturday. The race was roaring with run as fastest qualifier Painted Eclispe withstood the challenge and returned for the win by a nose over Train B Taka.

Piloted by Luis Martinez, Painted Eclispe fired into action on the rail and wouldn't be denied to remain unbeaten in two starts. With a 30 mph tailwind, the son of Pyc Paint Your Wagon clocked a 111 speed index in :14.77 seconds, which just missed the track record. It did however mark the fastest time set in history for the West Texas Futurity and the 300-yard victory paid $5.00 to win on 7/5 odds.

Trainer Xavier Rodriguez saddled Painted Eclispe for his owners Shaun Hubbard, La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Ray Willis. The $146,617 winner's share of the purse increased the post-time favorite's earnings to $151,957. Ruidoso Downs is next on his agenda for the summer.

The winning connections of Painted Eclipse accept the $311,896 West Texas Futurity [G2] trophy at Sunland Park on Saturday. © Coady Photography

Bred in Oklahoma by Donald Friesen, Painted Eclispe is out of the One Famous Eagle multiple winning mare Safari Moonlight, who is a half-sister to the dam of Grade 2 winner Eagle Coast. The bay colt was a $32,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate last year.

Train B Taka, ridden by James Flores, dueled but just missed at the wire for second best. The effort paid owners Cheryl Stokes, Armando Arreola and Tungsten Racing Partners $56,151 to total his career earnings at $57,931. He has yet to break his maiden from two starts.

Rancho El Cabresto Inc bred Train B Taka in California out of the Apollitical Jess mare Apollititaka. The two-year-old colt trained by Eric Valenzuela sold for $73,000 in last year's Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Jockey Noe Garcia Jr rode Skinnthatsmokewagon to his third place finish. The son of Texas' #1 leading freshman sire Kj Mucho Macho Man has one win from two starts with $39,655 in earnings

Trainer Wes Giles conditioned the two sorrel geldings for owner Jill Giles. Skinnthatsmokewagon is bred in New Mexico by Kevin Birrell ouot of Bf Fooserageous by Foose.

Be Our Secret, Eagle Aye, Kj Born To Be Wild, Shes Fancy, Dash Of Candy, Electrifying Cowboy and Fdd Dreams round out the order of finish.

Closing day Sunday will be highlighted by five stakes races with purse money totaling $650,000. The featured event, the $200,000 Sunland Park Handicap, features defending champion and 8-to-5 morning line favorite Mine That Star facing a field of six rivals in the 1 1/8 mile event. First post time for the closing day program is 12:25 p.m.