Eagle Jazz a budding star

Trainer Judd Kearl walked away from Eagle Jazz’s 3 1/4-length trial win for the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Futurity that goes Sunday at Ruidoso Downs with one thought: “That he might be a superstar.”

Eagle Jazz is the top-ranked 2-year-old Quarter Horse in the nation and the probable favorite in the Rainbow, a 400-yard race in which he again faces Uptown Dynasty. The horses dead-heated for the win in last month’s Grade 1, $1 million Ruidoso Futurity.

RAINBOW FUTURITY (RACE 9) KEY CONTENDERS

Eagle Jazz, by One Dashing Eagle

◗ He set the fastest qualifying time on the first day of trials for the Rainbow on July 7, covering 400 yards in 19.60 seconds. There were 12 trials on the card and 24 overall.

“He got away good in the trials, was pulling away from them the last 50 yards,” said Kearl.

◗ That run was in stark contrast to the Ruidoso Futurity, where Eagle Jazz stumbled, recovered, and rallied to hit the wire in unison with Uptown Dynasty. The pair finished a length in front of the competition in the first major 2-year-old race of the meet June 11.

“In the final, he fell down bad,” Kearl said. “He was on his knees for three jumps and deadheated with that horse.”

◗ Eagle Jazz races for his breeder, Juan A. Medina, and will be looking for his fourth straight win. His last three victories have come by a combined 6 1/4 lengths.

“He’s a big colt,” Kearl said. “He’s even maturing through the summer. He’s a dream to train. He’s just quiet. He takes care of his business.”

◗ Rodrigo Vallejo has the mount from post 9 in the field of 10.

Uptown Dynasty, by Mr Jess Perry

◗ He was the fastest qualifier on the second day of trials July 8, winning by a neck in 19.71 seconds.

◗ Uptown Dynasty also is looking for his fourth straight win, his streak starting in trials for the Ruidoso Futurity on May 26.

“It’s been great this summer,” owner Melvin Neugebauer said in a press release from Ruidoso. “I feel pressure, but it’s fun pressure.”

◗ Wes Giles trains Uptown Dynasty, who will break from the rail under Cipriano Vidana.

Lena Cartel, by Carters Cartel

◗ She was the second-fastest qualifier on the first day of trials, winning by two lengths in 19.71 seconds. Earlier in the year, Lena Cartel was third in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity.

“She’s a nice filly,” Kearl said. “She probably should have won the Sam Houston Futurity. She kind of got wiped out leaving the gate. If she gets away, it’s going to be a horse race.”

◗ Ricky Ramirez has the mount from post 5.

Wagon Chick V, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon

◗ She is undefeated in three starts, a streak that started March 30 at Remington Park and has continued through her trial for the Rainbow.

◗ G.R. Carter Jr. has the mount for trainer Clinton Crawford.