Young Connections Win Richest Quarter Horse Race of the Year
The first million-dollar race of the year in American Quarter Horse Racing was held Saturday, June 4, the final night of the 2016 Quarter Horse meet at Remington Park. The ten fastest qualifiers from two nights of trials went into the starting gate and the winner was Duponte, who blazed to victory in the $1,083,420 Heritage Place Futurity (G1).
Owned by Kristen Paredes, 23, of San Antonio and trained by 21-year-old Josue Ponce, Duponte was ridden by Francisco Ramirez. Rolling from the outside in post-position 10, Duponte battled for the lead for the first-half of the 350 yards before taking over and opening up to win by one length over Sweet Annie GL in :17.306 seconds over a fast track. Duponte was 9-2 in the wagering and paid $11.60 to win, $5.20 to place and $3.80 to show.
Owned by Kristen Paredes, 23, of San Antonio and trained by 21-year-old Josue Ponce, Duponte was ridden by Francisco Ramirez. Rolling from the outside in post-position 10, Duponte battled for the lead for the first-half of the 350 yards before taking over and opening up to win by one length over Sweet Annie GL in :17.306 seconds over a fast track. Duponte was 9-2 in the wagering and paid $11.60 to win, $5.20 to place and $3.80 to show.
The connections of Heritage Place Futurity champion Duponte celebrate at Remington Park
The colt, bred in Texas by Bobby Cox, is by American Runaway out of the Ivory James mare Havanah Goodtime. Paredes purchased Duponte last July at the TQHA Sale Futurity in San Antonio, Texas for just $6,700. The Heritage Place Futurity was his second career victory from four starts and made him $455,036 to boost his total earnings to $578,519. As of June 7, Duponte stands at the top of the 2016 AQHA money earners.
Paredes, Ponce and Ramirez have now won two futurities already this year with Duponte, who previously scored the victory on March 21 in the $268,000 Harrah’s Futurity at Louisiana Downs.
With the owner, trainer and jockey all in their early 20's, it was a night to remember for the young trio!
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