Apocalyptical Jess ($6.40) was the fastest qualifier on Day 1 of trials for the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity on Friday at Ruidoso Downs. The finale will be run Sept. 3.

Apocalyptical Jess won the second of 16 trials conducted, covering 440 yards on a fast track in 21.34 seconds. He won wire-to-wire, by a margin of three and a quarter lengths. Ricky Ramirez was aboard for trainer Blane Wood. The photo with this post is of Apocalpytical Jess on Friday, taken by Gay Harris and courtesy of Ruidoso.  

Horses with the five fastest times Friday earned spots in the starting gate for the All American Futurity. Those with the five fastest times during a second program of 16 trials Saturday also will lock up spots in the 10-horse gate Sept. 3. 

The other qualifiers from Friday, according to a press release from Ruidoso, were Tools in the Sky (21.47); Im Jess Special V (21.52); Wokatee On Fire (21.52); and Lynnder 16 (21.53). 

For more on the trials: https://www.drf.com/news/ruidoso-downs-hold-32-trial-races-all-american-futurity