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ALBUQUERQUE, NM–AUGUST 11, 2024–Vegas Trick and jockey Emilio Tapia pulled off a dramatic 9-1 upset win Over VIsa in the eighth trial race today to qualify for the Grade-1 $1,076,535 All American Futurity in the fastest time of the day, 20.996 seconds for 440-yards at The Downs at Albuquerque.

He was the only horse in the eight trial races to break 21 seconds.

Today's 10 fastest qualifiers from the trial races will return to The Downs on Monday, September 2, to vie for the winner's share of the purse valued at $452,144.

Starting off a troubled fifth-place effort in the $822,707 Rainbow QH Derby(G1) in his last start, Vegas Trick held for a neck win over Visa, who was giving pressure. Emilio Tapia rode the son of champion sire Jess Good Candy to a 20.996 clocking, a 103-speed index with a 5 mph tailwind.

"He’s had some trouble coming out of the gate, but today he really focused and got the job done,” Tapia said. “We’ve been working on the gate issues, and everything worked out for us today."

Trainer Jesus Cuanda saddled Vegas Trick to his third win in 11 starts for owner Marcelino Cuanda. Bred in Oklahoma by Bird Ranch & Oil LP, from the FDD Dynasty mare Mavara Vegas, Vegas Trick has earned $81,218.

The gelding sold for $135,000 at the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

The gelding paid $20.40, $3.20, and $3.00 in winning for the third time.

Rainbow QH Derby(G1) runner-up Visa held on for the second fastest, clocking 21.017 seconds, a 102 speed index. Toby Keeton conditions the $97,000 Ruidoso Select Sale repurchase for the partnership of Simmons Racing, Wootan Racing and Roger Beasley.

Jockey Bryan Candanosa rode the Simmons Racing bred son of leading sire Corona Cartel from the Will Take Charge thoroughbred mare Cascheckorcharge. Last year's All American Juvenile winner, Visa, has won five of nine starts and banked $262.671.

Rainbow QH Derby(G1) winner Dashing Tres, also from the Keeton barn, won his third consecutive race in the fifth trial to get the third-fastest clocking of 21.049 seconds, a 102-speed index with an 8 mph tailwind.

Candanosa had the riding call again aboard the son of champion Tempting Dash, winning by 2 1/4 lengths. The Oklahoma homebred racing for owner-breeder Bob McClure has won six of nine starts and banked over $603,00.

Last year's All American Futurity(G1) winner, Cowboys Gun Z, got his first win of the season in the second trial under jockey Augustin Silva. The son of leading second-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 won by one length to get the fourth fastest time of 21.074 seconds, a 101-speed index with an 8 mph tailwind.

Trainer Michael Joiner conditions the $1.56 million earner for the West Texas Racing Partners. Running C Ranch LLC bred Cowboys Gun Z from the Tres Seis mare Cf Smokin Gun.

The Marksman V, who won the Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby, qualified after winning the last trial of the day under jockey Francisco Calderon for the fifth fastest time in 21.086 seconds. Heath Taylor trains the son of Apollitical Jess for owner-breeder Valeriano Racing Stables. The Oklahoma-bred gelding in out of Bellissima Chocolata by Valiant Hero.

The biggest surprise in the trials came in trial six when Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Dark Nme finished second to Cuz Lightyear in a time that qualified her for the $100,000 All-American Invitational. TYKHE Racing LLC's daughter of Hes Relentless has won nine of her 12 career starts and earned $1,646,925.

Keeton, winning four of the eight trial races, led all trainers with four qualifiers, including sixth-fastest Shoeless and eighth-fastest Cuz Lightyear.

CLICK HERE for the list of All American QH Derby(G1) finalists with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

Racing continues next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Downs of Albuquerque, with quarter horse and thoroughbred racing starting at 12:30 p.m. daily. Meanwhile, the New Mexico-bred Horse Sale will be held at the Ruidoso Downs All American Sales Pavilion starting at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit www.raceruidoso.com and click on "Triple Crown Report."