Special to the Ruidoso News

To win the Triple Crown in quarter horse racing at Ruidoso Downs, a horse must be on its game six separate times in one summer.

First, you have to qualify for all three major horse races. Then you have to win them all.

Hezgothelook Z, a two-year-old gelding owned by Norma Olivarez of Triple One Ranch, will try to keep the difficult task alive this season by winning the $1 million Rainbow Futurity Sunday, July 14, at Ruidoso Downs. A son of Favorite Cartel, the gelding will be number one in the 11th race as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

With jockey Bryan Candanosa on board, Hezgothelook Z won the $1 million Rainbow Futurity at 350 yards June 9, three-quarters-lengths in front of Aguila Rapida and jockey Ricky Ramirez. The two horses will meet again in the Rainbow Final on Sunday, both trained by trainer Toby Keeton.

“I feel like my horse can really excel at 440 yards,” Ramirez said of Aguila Rapida, number seven in the race. “The Rainbow final is at 400 yards which should be a fairly even playing field for both horses.”

Other top runners include two quarter horses owned by Sammy Valeriano and trained by Heath Taylor: number-five Highly Regarded V, and number-10 Favorite Fire V. Both horses won their trial races impressively. Eight of the 10 quarter horses that made Sunday’s final won their trial race.

Racing is also slated Friday and Saturday at Ruidoso Downs. Post time for each day is scheduled for 1 p.m.