Harken Sets The Time To Beat In The $1,000,000-Estimated NMSF Futurity [RG2] Trials
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–SEPTEMBER 20, 2024–The Downs at Albuquerque hosted 14 trials on Friday with 138 juvenile quarter horses vying for a spot in the $1,000,000-estimated New Mexico State Fair Futurity [RG2]. Harken, ridden by Sergio Becerra, Jr., set the time to beat in the 11th trial of the day.
With no wind, Harken drew off steady from the gates on a fast track and led the field from wire to wire. The heavy favorite clocked a 97-speed index in 19.276 seconds, finishing an impressive 2 1/2 lengths ahead of the pack. His 400-yard victory paid $3.40 to win on 1-2 odds.
Harken has lit the board five of six starts with four wins, and the $5,800 trial payday boosts his earnings to $237,214. The son of #1 leading third-year sire Eye Am King won all three of his starts this summer at Ruidoso, including the Mountain Top Futurity [RG2]. He placed second in the Zia Futurity [G1] in his last out.
MJ Farms bred Harken out of the Big Daddy Cartel Grade 3 winning mare Donelli and sold him for $145,000 in last year's Ruidoso New Mexico Bred sale. Marco Flores trains the sorrel gelding for owner Alepony, LLC.
Harken is a full brother stakes-placed winner Marisma. He is from the female family of champions Astica and Alice K White.
The second fastest qualifier, Kj Bad Moon Rising, won trial five under the guidance of jockey Adrian Ramos. The son of #3 leading freshman sire Kj Mucho Macho Man was unchallenged out of the gate, winning by 2 1/4 lengths.
Kj Bad Moon Rising clocked a 96 speed index in 19.318 seconds, and the victory paid $2.20 to win at 1-9 odds. The $5,800 winner's share of the purse increased his earnings to $507,493.
Trained by Wes Giles, Kj Bad Moon Rising has lit the board in every start with three wins, two seconds and one third. He placed second in this year's All American Futurity [G1] and third in the Zia Futurity [G1].
John and Kathy Lee own and bred Kj Bad Moon Rising in New Mexico. The bay gelding is out of Kj Kiss Me Goodbye by First Moonflash.
MJ Farms bred six of the ten qualifiers. Eye Am King sired four finalists, and Big Daddy Cartel sired three. J.J. Gonzalez was the only trainer with more than one qualifier, three of which came from his stables.
CLICK HERE for complete details on the $1,000,000-estimated New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity [RG2] trials, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey. Finals are to be run on October 13, 2024.