Cody Cobb’s Mr Innovator (pictured), a gray son of Big Daddy Cartel and the fastest qualifier, is one of 10 New Mexico-bred 2-year-olds entered back in Sunday’s 350-yard, $280,371 Mountain Top Quarter Horse Futurity (RG2) at Ruidoso Downs.
Mr Innovator made his local debut with a 1 1/4-length victory in the second of 11 trials on June 4. The gelding has won both of his races and has earned $13,894.
Mr Innovator drew post 9 and will be ridden by Mario Delgado for trainer James J. Gonzales II. Other contenders include Renika, a graded stakes placed daughter of Big Daddy Cartel trained by Jason Driver for owner Triple R Racing Stables LLC, and Run Time, a stakes placed homebred Big Daddy Cartel filly trained by Wes Giles for owner Ezra Lee.
Renika has won two of three outs and has banked $26,051. A $15,000 yearling purchase at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale, the filly ran second, three-quarters of a length behind winner Dashin Approach, in the 350-yard, $113,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Futurity (RG3) at SunRay Park on May 23.
Renika drew the rail post and will be ridden by Emilio Tapia.
Run Time has earned $15,405 from three starts, and her record includes a second-place finish, 1 1/4 lengths behind winner BF Shes Outrageous, in the 300-yard, $61,000 Desert Classic Futurity (R) at Turf Paradise on April 28. The filly drew post 4 and will be ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:
Renika (Emilio Tapia)
Lil Rev (Sergio Becerra Jr.)
Borderan (Tanner Thedford)
Run Time (Rodrigo Vallejo)
Tosma (Alan Hernandez)
Chicksbabycartel (Alonso Rivera)
Azara (Raul Herrera)
Jess Ring The Bell (Adrian Ramos)
Mr Innovator (Mario Delgado)
Daddys Dream Girl (James Flores)