ALBUQUERQUE – Hezgothelook Z won the Grade 1, 440-yard All American Futurity on Monday at the Downs of Albuquerque.
He becomes the second Triple Crown winner in quarter horse racing history for 2-year-olds. Special Effort won the Triple Crown in 1981.
The gelding, an Oklahoma-bred, won the Labor Day race in the race in a photo finish with Kj Bad Moon Rising. Fdd Dreams finished third. The winning time was 21.12. Kj Bad Moon Rising finished with time of 21.143.
“Hezgothelook Z has so much heart,” owner Norma Olivarez said. “He was tested in this race and came through like the champion he is. He means so much to our family and friends. It was truly a team effort, and a beautiful experience to see this horse win.”
Hezgothelook Z, the 3-5 favorite in the race, broke on top and never trailed in the sprint race. He received a 99 speed index in the history-making outing.
All American Futurity is a $3 million race.
Hezgothelook Z, who earned $1.5 million for the win, won the Ruidoso and the Rainbow Futurities earlier this summer. He captured the final jewel of the Triple Crown — the All American Futurity — in front of a large crowd of racing fans at the Albuquerque race track.