Mm Fourinthemorning, 2018’s top 2-year-old Quarter race horse, leads three runners from Blane Wood’s stable in the $3,000,000 All American Futurity on Monday, September 3 at Ruidoso Downs. The Labor Day program also includes the $200,000 All American Juvenile and concludes the Quarter Horse season at the famous New Mexico track.

The 440-yard All American Futurity pays out the largest purse in Quarter Horse racing. The finalists were determined through two days of 440-yard trials, with 16 trials held each day. Horses with the five-fastest times from each day advanced to the All American Futurity. Horses with the next five-fastest times from each day are eligible to race in the All American Juvenile.

Mm Fourinthemorning vaulted to the top of the American Quarter Horse two-year-old division with an eye-catching victory in the $1,000,000 Rainbow Futurity in July. Starting from the outside post position — the same post position he drew for the All American Futurity — Mm Fourinthemorning won the 400-yard Grade 1 stakes race by three-quarters of a length in an ever widening  pace, suggesting the 440-yard All American Futurity would suit his running style.

The Mr Jess Perry gelding, owned by his breeders Mark and Annette McCloy, later proved his 440-yard ability in the All American Futurity trials, where he rolled to an easy two-and-one-quarter-length win at odds of 1-9.

“We were hoping for the number 10 post position,” said jockey Ricky Ramirez, who rode each of the three Wood-trained runners in the trials and chose to ride Mm Fourinthemorning in the All American Futurity. “I just hope for the same outcome as the Rainbow. Hopefully, the big crowd doesn’t bother him. It didn’t in the Rainbow; it just wasn’t quite as large.”

Mm Fourinthemorning is the 3-1 morning line favorite.

The two other Wood-trained runners are Apocalyptical Jess, the 7-2 morning line second choice, and Badhabit Jess at 12-1.

Apocalyptical Jess, a gelding sired by Apollitical Jess and owned by Bill Robbins, could be especially dangerous from his number two post position. Although he had trouble at the start his Rainbow Futurity trial and came away racing behind horses, Ramirez was able to take him to the outside, move him around horses, and rally to grab second-place, beaten only by a neck.

In his All American Futurity trial, Apocalyptical Jess got an excellent start from the inside post position and ran down the rail to win by three and one-quarter lengths. He stopped the clock at :21.349, the top time on the first day of trials.

Raul Ramirez Jr. will be aboard Apocalyptical Jess on Labor Day.

La Feliz Montana Ranch’s Badhabit Jess, a $25,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale purchase, starts next to Mm Fourinthemorning in the ninth post position. The Mr Jess Perry gelding will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey G.R. Carter Jr.

Badhabit Jess broke his maiden in his fourth start, when he won his All American Futurity trial by a head. He placed second in his Ruidoso Futurity trial and fourth in his Rainbow Futurity trial.

In the All American Juvenile, J & SM, Inc.’s Rustys Miracle is the solid 2-1 morning-line favorite. The $61,000 Ruidoso Select Sale Yearling purchase comes to the race off of a three-race winning streak. Trained by Fred Danley, Rustys Miracle started the streak with a victory in her Rainbow Futurity trial, then won the $100,000 Rainbow Juvenile by one-half of a length. The daughter of Valiant Hero won her All American Futurity trial by a neck with a :21.695 time.