FORD N.M. JUVENILE CHALLENGE ON SUNDAY 8 5 07

COURTESY OF STALLIONESEARCH.COM


Eyesa Lil Cuervo sets the fastest time in the Ford New Mexico Juvenile Challenge trials.
Photo by Bill Pitt, Jr.

Contentious Freshman Field Set For Ford New Mexico Juvenile


RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST, 5, 2007—It could be a race for longshots to come through when a contentious field of 2-year-olds loads into the gate for the Grade 3, $63,180 Ford New Mexico Juvenile Challenge on Sunday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.
First post time is 1 p.m. with free parking and free grandstand admission.

Fastest-qualifier Eyesa Lil Cuervo, owned by Wootan Racing, broke her maiden in his fourth career start by winning her Ford New Mexico Juvenile Challenge trial by three-quarters of a length in :17.488. In her two earlier starts at Ruidoso Downs the Lil Bit Cuervo filly raced to third-place finishes in her trials in the Ruidoso Futurity and the Rainbow Futurity for trainer Mike Joiner.

Eyesa Lil Cuervo has the third post position and G.R. Carter Jr. will ride.

William Robertson’s Cute Runaway has found his winning form for trainer Ramon Ronquillo since arriving at Ruidoso Downs. Two starts, back in his Ruidoso debut, the Illegal Runaway gelding won his maiden by a half length and then came back to win his Ford New Mexico Juvenile Challenge trial by a half length. He won in :17.503 for the second-fastest time from seven trials.

Cute Runaway will have Esgar Ramirez aboard when they start from the second post position.

Jerry Windham’s Texas Version, trained by James McArthur, won his trial in :17.534 for his first career victory. The Holland Ease colt had not finished in the top three in his three previous starts.

Texas Version starts from the nine hole with Juan Vasguez up.

David and Sue Mackie’s Pappasito, a Corona Cartel son of All American Futurity winner Strawberry Silk, raced to his second win from three starts when he won his Ford New Mexico Juvenile Challenge trial by a half length. The well-balanced bay colt from the Paul Jones stable was timed in :17.561, the fourth-fastest qualifying time.

Freddie Martinez pilots Pappasito with the inside post position.