Niftys Royal
Flush Fastest To Ruidoso QH Sale Futurity
RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (May 29, 2009) – Abelardo Gallegos’ Niftys Royal Flush
made an impressive career debut, setting the fastest qualifying time to the
$183,000 Ruidoso Horse Sale Futurity on Friday at Ruidoso Downs.
The horses with the 10 fastest times from the six trials are eligible to compete
in the finals on June 14.
Trained by Juan Gonzalez and ridden by Tony Guymon, Niftys Royal Flush won the
third trial in :17.722 for the 350 yards. The daughter of Sixes Royal raced to
the early lead and then won by one-half length over third-fastest qualifier
Southernrunaway.
East Wing, owned by SM Cattle Export Company, set the second-fastest qualifying
time of :17.728 while winning the first trial. The Deferred Sentence-sired
gelding was making his third career start and came off a maiden win at Sunland
Park.
Trainer Blane Wood continued his hot start to the Ruidoso Downs season with
three of his charges qualifying for the Sale Futurity. His finalists are Corona
Two Step, Copy Em Chick and First Corona Call. First-time starter Copy Em Chick
impressed by drawing out to a one-and-a-half length trial victory.
Wood also has three horses in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby and two horses in the
Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity.
The complete list of qualifiers and their qualifying times are Niftys Royal
Flush (:17.722), East Wing (:17.728), Southernrunaway (:17.778), Blazin Hot
Wings (:17.800), Corona Two Step (:17.806), Copy Em Chick (:17.811), First
Corona Call (:17.832), Zackaman (:17.851), Gen Flyer (:17.857) and Slide Of Hand
(:17.877).