Scratches Hit All American Weekend As Four Finalists Withdraw From Futurity, Derby And Oaks

The fields for three of Quarter Horse racing's marquee Labor Day weekend events at The Downs at Albuquerque have been impacted by scratches, including two finalists from the $3 million All American Futurity (G1), one from the $1 million All American Derby (G1) and one from the $700,000 All American Oaks (G1).

New Mexico Racing Commission Executive Director Izzy Trejo reported that No. 4 Tempting Lu and No. 6 Jess A Bad Lil Cat have been scratched from Monday's $3 million All American Futurity by order of the track veterinarian.

The loss of Tempting Lu is particularly significant after the 2-year-old filly posted the fastest qualifying time from the second day of All American Futurity trials. The daughter of Tempting Dash won her 440-yard trial in :20.999, defeating fellow qualifier Jess A Bad Lil Cat by one-half length.

With both horses scratched, the field for the sport's richest race for 2-year-old Quarter Horses has been reduced from 10 to eight starters.

Sunday's $1 million All American Derby (G1) has also lost a finalist. The Diesel Train, the eighth-fastest qualifier, has been scratched by order of the stewards.

The 3-year-old gelding earned his berth after winning his August 9 trial in :20.959 for 440 yards. A son of Freighttrain B out of the Apollitical Jess mare Apollotah, The Diesel Train qualified eighth-fastest among the 10 finalists. He is owned by Luis Daniel Iturralde and trained by Luis Iturralde.

The Diesel Train had drawn post five for Sunday's final.

The $700,000 All American Oaks (G1) will also be contested with a reduced field. Trejo reported that No. 7 Apollirevenge has been scratched by order of the track veterinarian.

The All American Derby and All American Oaks are scheduled for Sunday, September 6, at The Downs at Albuquerque, while the $3 million All American Futurity headlines the Labor Day program Monday, September 7.

The four scratches from the three major All American weekend finals are Tempting Lu, Jess A Bad Lil Cat, The Diesel Train and Apollirevenge.

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