Ten New Mexico-bred 2-year-old Thoroughbreds, including seven from the barn of trainer Todd Fincher, are entered back in Sunday’s 5-furlong, $150,000 Mountain Top Futurity (R) at Ruidoso Downs.
Nostrangrtotherain (pictured), a stakes-winning son of the Indian Charlie stallion Shame On Charlie trained by Cliff Lambert Sr. for owners Jimmy Powers and Rebecca Powers, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. An earner of $64,530 from three starts, he has won two races, including the 4 1/2-furlong, $100,000 C.O. “Ken” Kendrick Memorial Stakes (R) at SunRay Park on June 10.
Nostrangrtotherain made his local debut with a clear 7 1/4-length victory in the second of three Mountain Top Futurity trials on June 10. The gelding drew post 10 and will be ridden by Miguel Perez.
Fincher’s top contenders include trial winner Z Marks The Spot, a homebred Marking gelding campaigned by Reliance Ranches LLC. One of three winners from four starters foaled by the winning and stakes-placed Dome mare Zesty Salsa, Z Marks The Spot made his career debut two-length victory in the third trial.
Z Marks The Spot drew post 3 and will be ridden by Rigo Sarmiento.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:
Bye Bye Heath (Kelsi Purcell), 20-1
Rattila (Christian Ramos), 6-1
Z Marks The Spot (Rigo Sarmiento), 7-2
WF Frankly My Dear (Luis Ramon Rodriguez), 8-1
Leave Them Behind (Enrique Gomez), 5-1
Crossfire Cowgirl (Casey Chavez), 20-1
New Mexico Jeremy (Francisco Amparan), 20-1
Storm Leader (Alfredo Juarez Jr.), 4-1
Marked Money (Luis H. Rodriguez), 15-1
Nostrangrtotherain (Miguel Perez), 5-2