Lota Hocks Sets Fastest Time In Cherry Creek Futurity Trials

AURORA, CO—OCTOBER 19, 2024—Lota Hocks raced to his second consecutive win on Saturday while posting the fastest time from four trials contested at Arapahoe Park for accredited state-bred 2-year-olds for the Cherry Creek Futurity.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to the Denver, Colorado, area racetrack on Sunday, November 10, to vie for the winner's share of a $128,000-est. purse going a distance of 350 yards.

Lota Hocks drifted out under jockey Adrian Morales but drew clear about midway to win by 2-1/4 lengths. His 17.925 clocking, equaling a 95-speed index with a 12 mph headwind, was the fastest of the day.

Owner-trainer Jose Nava Arjon saddled the son of multiple stakes sire Lota Pyc to his second win in five starts. Lota Hocks broke his maiden at Arapahoe on September 8. Bred by Victor Cervantes from the Kiss My Hocks mare Dance Down Diva Vc, the black gelding has earned $18,713.

Also registering her second consecutive win today, Apolliticalbest Card was a half-length winner in the closing trial to set the second fastest clocking of 17.961 seconds, a 93-speed index with a 12 mph tailwind.

Owner-trainer and breeder Gerardo Herrera named jockey Cerapio Figueroa to ride Docs Best Card filly out of Apolli by Apollitical Jess. She has earned $11,205 in four starts this season.

Russel, a son of #4 leading fourth-crop sire Pyc Fun N Fancy, broke his maiden at first asking in the opening trial to record the third fastest time of 17.975 seconds, a 93-speed index with a 13 mph tailwind.

Trainer Chris Gandarilla named jockey Cordarelton Benn to ride the gelding for owner Celenes's Racing LLC. Bill and Marsha Drake bred Russel from the One Sweet Jess mare One Two. He earned $5,100 for the effort.

CLICK HERE for the list of Cherry Creek Futurity qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners and breeders.

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Bally's Arapahoe Park in Aurora, Colorado, began its live race meet on Friday, September 6, and will continue through Sunday, November 10. The Colorado meet's race days are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with a 1:00 p.m. (MT) post time. The schedule is subject to change.