TUCSON, AZ—MARCH 12, 2017—Fastest qualifier Black Ops returned Sunday to set a new track while winning the $15,996 Rulon Goodman AQHA Maiden Challenge (not black type) at Rillito Park.
Ridden by jockey Emilio Tapia, Black Ops raced over the 350 yards in a quick :17.028 clocking, a 112-speed index, to win by 1 ¼ lengths and better the track record by .086 hundredths.
Rillito’s previous 350-yard track record of :17.114 was set March 30, 2014 by Downtown Richard.
Racing for owner Cynthia Rodriguez, the 3-year-old son of Frist Wrangler is conditioned by Roy Ronquillo. Bred in Texas by Will Evans, Black Ops has won two of five starts and earned $7,838 in the maiden challenge to boost his career mark to $9,351.
Coming off her first career win in the trials, Two Step Dash finished a game second after getting off slow under jockey Jesus Osuana. The 4-year-old Inseperable filly races for owner/trainer Cesar Lopez. Andrew Gardiner bred Two Step Dash in Texas from the Royal Quick Dash mare Sundance Dash. She earned $3,359 for the effort.
Still a maiden from 13 starts, Lookin Tempting who was second to Black Ops in the trials finished a neck back in the show position. Alex Torres-Casas owns-and-trains the Tempting Dash 4-year-old out of Jess Lookin by Feature Mr Jess. Bred by Corner K Quarter Horses LLC, the sorrel filly earned $1,679.
Sign Hawkingson, Pyc Valentina Dash, Fugaz and Katies Miracle completed the field.