Michelle Yu's Picks for the All American Futurity
The $3m All American Quarter Horse Futurity takes place at Ruidoso Downs this Labor Day and you can watch the race live on our website or iPhone App. We asked our VIP Manager (and QH racing fan) Michelle Yu for her picks.
| Post | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Michelle's Thoughts |
|---|
 | One Hot Habit | 5-1 | Eduardo Nicasio | Qualified to the Ruidoso Futurity and bested Apolliticall Chad in trials. Broke from the rail on trial day so can't use that as a tick against him. Paul Jones has taken home the AA Futurity trophy on several occasions and can never be counted out. |
 | One Famous Beau | 10 | Cody Jensen | Seeking 3 straight as he qualifies for the first time to a major futurity. I like the progression he has been showing and he won with ease. |
 | Magical Jess | 15 | Jaime Leos | Has taken the rare path from Phoenix to Ruidoso and just missed qualifying to the Ruidoso Futurity. Had a sharp gate work before trials so might be one that gets better with more racing. Owners have been here before with World Champion One Dashing Eagle. |
 | Coolandfamous | 15 | GR Carter | GR Carter comes out of retirement to ride this race on a 15-1 shot so he will probably take some play for that fact alone. Found the winners circle for the first time in the trials. |
 | The Marfa Lights | 8-1 | Larry Payne | Was green as grass in the trials and has been improving with each start. Exploded late when he finally figured out there was a race going on and won by nearly 3. Tons of upside if he can figure out his job. Nice price play. |
 | Coronas First Diva | 7-2 | J Flores | Won the Oklahoma Futurity and qualified to the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity before setting her sights here. Second in the field from an earnings standpoint, she carries her game with her and can only improve with a local start under her belt. A must use. |
 | Imperial Eagle | 9-2 | Escar Ramirez | Fastest qualifier despite leaving slow and gets the call from Escar Ramirez who qualified 3 here. Seeks 4 in a row but has disappointed on the big stage before. |
 | Apolliticall Chad | 5-2 | A Ramos | Most accomplished in the field, he won the Ruidoso Futurity before being beaten in trials by One Hot Habit but there is a possibility that he needed the race. Bypassed the Rainbow by plan, this has been his goal all summer. Needs a clean break and will be the one to beat. |
 | Volcoms Lady | 20-1 | Cesar Gomez | Least accomplished in the field as she broke her maiden last out. Could be the more ground the better but I'll let her beat me here. |
 | Gamey Tee Cos | 30-1 | M Gutierrez | Was no match in trials for Coronas First Diva but was still able to qualify. Will need more than the favorable post to get the money here. Pass. |
Two year old races are tricky because you don't know who will show up, who will bounce and who is just figuring it all out. Based on the way he won I have to use The Marfa Lights on top because if he figures out what racing is all about he is going to be a beast. You don' t make that many mistakes and still qualify to the All American unless you have some serious talent. Apolliticall Chad is the one to beat on paper with the most money in the bank and has been pointing for this so he is a must use but we might as well make it fun. One Famous Beau is showing the progression I like to see but I don't know if he will be gutty enough at the end and One Hot Habit has connections too smooth to ignore. My bankroll will be $25 to win on the 5 and $2 Exacta Box 1-2-5-8.
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