Higher Ed, a homebred son of the Tiznow stallion Sporting Chance racing for J. Kirk and Judy Robison of El Paso, Texas, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite for Sunday’s 5-furlong, $132,760 Mountain Top Futurity (R) for New Mexico-bred 2-year-old Thoroughbreds at Ruidoso Downs.

One of eight finalists trained by Todd Fincher, Higher Ed made his career debut with a wire-to-wire, 2 3/4-length victory in the second of four trials on June 9. The dark bay or brown gelding is the first starter produced by his dam, African Heat, a homebred multiple stakes winning daughter of the Gone West stallion Southwestern Heat.

Higher Ed drew post 10 and will be ridden by Christian Ramos.

The Robisons and Fincher will also be represented by Community Leader, a homebred son of the Artax stallion Diabolical. Community Leader made his debut with a 1 1/4-length win in the fourth trial. The gelding is the first starter foaled by Midnight Summer, a winning Kentucky-bred daughter of the Real Quiet stallion Midnight Lute.

Community Leader drew post 2 and will be ridden by Felipe Valdez.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:
Horns N Halos–Luis H. Rodriguez, 8-1
Community Leader–Felipe Valdez, 7-2
Amigo Loco–Alejandro Medellin, 9-2
Ronchetti–Enrique Gomez, 15-1
Chipz–Miguel T. Fuentes Jr., 6-1
Tax Free Texas-Jose Miguel Vazquez, 12-1
Pocket Watch–Oscar Ceballos, 30-1
Sporty Pants–Kelsi Purcell, 15-1
Mark The Date–Tracy Hebert, 20-1
Higher Ed–Christian Ramos, 2-1