Political Twist brings perfect record to All American Futurity
Morning-line favorite Political Twist brings a 5-for-5 record to the Downs at Albuquerque for the 67th running of the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity. The world’s richest quarter-horse race will be run Monday despite storm clouds that brought flooding and a drug controversy.
Ten 2-year-olds have been entered in the 440-yard race, which usually is run at Ruidoso Downs. Floods forced the event to be moved south for the second year in a row.
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La Feliz Montaña Ranch and Ray Willis own Political Twist, a New Mexico-bred gelding by two-time Grade 1-winning stallion Apollitical Jess. He has been favored in all his races, most recently last month when he carried 1-20 odds for his three-quarter-length triumph in one of the 32 trials for the All American Futurity. His biggest victory so far came June 8 in the Ruidoso Futurity (G1).
Trained by Xavier Rodríguez, Political Twist will be ridden from post 9 on Monday by his regular jockey Luis Martínez.
King of the Tide (7-2), The Diesel Train (4-1) and 3-for-3 Envestor (8-1) also won their trials. Rovos Rail (6-1) lost by a neck to The Diesel Train in his most recent start.
Last year’s Futurity came under a cloud when winning horse Hezgotthelook Z failed a drug test. Trainer Toby Keeton was suspended, and the payment of purse money was delayed while the New Mexico Racing Commission investigated. As many as 12 horses who raced that day reportedly tested positive for the asthma medication carmoterol. The commission still considers Hezgotthelook Z the Futurity winner while the drug-test results have been in dispute.
There is a $1.5 million prize for winning the All American Futurity, which is scheduled to start at 8:25 p.m. EDT. Monday’s 11-race card starts at 3:30 p.m. It also includes the $1 million Derby, the $700,000 Oaks, the $2 million Juvenile and the $100,000 Invitational, all under the All American banner.
The National Weather Service predicted increasing clouds with a 30% chance of a shower or thunderstorm and a high of 89 degrees Monday in Albuquerque. Afternoon wind will become a somewhat southeasterly headwind of 5-10 mph.