A full field of 12 state-bred 2-year-old Thoroughbreds is entered in Sunday’s 6-furlong, $332,390 New Mexico State Fair Thoroughbred Futurity (R) at Albuquerque Downs.
Trainer Simon Buechler will send out two contenders — Holy Rebel (pictured) and Holy Hank — for owners Robert M. Driggers, Del Rae Driggers, and Ben Lee Ivey. A homebred son of the Midnight Lute stallion Holy Lute, Holy Hank has won two of his three races and has earned $31,326, and his record includes a second-place finish in the 5-furlong, $98,000 Rio Grande Senor Futurity (R) on August 18.
Holy Hank is one of three winners from as many starters produced by the winning Gotham City mare City Veil. The gelding drew post 5 and will be ridden by Tracy Hebert.
Holy Rebel is an undefeated son of Holy Lute and the stakes-winning Mr. Gold Mover mare Sidewinder Sally. The gray or roan gelding has won all three of his outs and has banked $19,364.
Holy Rebel drew post 12 and will be ridden by Enrique Gomez.
Clay Harris’ Holdwhatyougot, the lone stakes winner in the field, drew post 7 and will be ridden by Aldo Arboleda for trainer Greg Green. A $36,000 yearling purchase at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs, the Attila’s Storm gelding has earned $49,814 from four races, and he broke his maiden with an upset victory at odds of 21-1 in the Rio Grande Senor Futurity (R).
Holdwhatyougot is out of Performance Review, a stakes-winning daughter of the Giant’s Causeway stallion Eskendereya. The gelding drew post 7 and will be ridden by Aldo Arboleda.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:
He’s A Genius–Miguel Fuentes Jr.
On My Mark–Lindey Wade
Stand Up Guy–Christian Ramos
Ghostly Chance–Felipe Valdez
Holy Hank–Tracy Hebert
The Smooch–Justin Shepherd
Holdwhatyougot–Aldo Arboleda
Sis Spender–Irwin Rosendo
Runaway Victory–Alfredo Juarez Jr.
Sirrah–Alejandro Medellin
Souped Up Wildcat–Rodolfo Guerra
Holy Rebel–Enrique Gomez