September 1, 2010 – Fastest-qualifier JLS Mr Bigtime could be favored to gain his first stakes win in American Quarter Horse racing’s showcase event when he takes on a wide-open field in Monday’s finals to the $2,050,000 All American Futurity (G1) presented by Sentient Jet.
The All American Futurity winner earns $1 million, the richest first-place check in Quarter Horse racing.
JLS Mr Bigtime’s owner John Soileau of JLS-Speed Horse Ranch Inc. paid the $50,000 supplemental fee to enter the All American Futurity trials and the gelding rewarded that financial risk by standing out in the 20 trials. He won his 440-yard trial by 1 1/2 lengths with a time of :21.220.
The homebred JLS Mr Bigtime (Bigtime Favorite-Psalmist by Osceola Warrior) showed he deserved the chance to compete at Quarter Horse racing’s highest level in his first five career starts, all in his native Louisiana. He won three of those starts and finished second by a neck in the $375,700 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1) at Delta Downs.
In the 350-yard Berwick, he flew in the final strides to narrowly miss getting the win and showing he could handle the 440-yard All American Futurity distance.
Second-fastest qualifier Cuz Iba Okey (Okey Dokey Dale-RG Special by Special Depth) has blossomed in his latest three starts with a maiden win at Remington Park and two wins at Ruidoso Downs.
Trained by Luis Villafranco for owner Wesley Lindsey, Cuz Iba Okey closed in the final strides to win his trial by a nose over fourth-fastest qualifier Make Me Fly. Cuz Iba Okey was timed in :21.405 while Make Me Fly was clocked in :21.415.
Bobby Cox’s homebred Dominyun (Mr Jess Perry-Runaway Dee Dee by Runaway Winner) has also matured this summer at Ruidoso Downs. After a fifth-place finish in his Ruidoso Futurity (G1) trial, he has won two races for trainer John Buchanan.
One of four Mr Jess Perry-sired offspring in the All American Futurity, Dominyun was the fastest qualifier to the John Deere New Mexico Juvenile Challenge (GG1), but his connections elected to pass on the finals and point at the All American Futurity. The colt showed that could be a very profitable decision when he won his All American Futurity trial by a length in :21.408.
Burnett Ranches and Johnny Trotter’s Miss Racy Jess (Mr Jess Perry-Miss Racy Vike by Racin Free) makes her stakes debut in the All American Futurity with a three-for-three record. The Blane Wood-trained filly rolled to a 2-length trial win in :21.433, the fifth-fastest qualifying time.