(October 14, 2006) - Bobby Cox’s Dont Let Down, ridden by Juan Vazquez and trained by John Buchanan, ran 400 yards in :19.802 Saturday night at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas and was the fastest of 107 two-year-old Quarter Horses that competed for a berth in the Grade 1, $426,375 Dash For Cash Futurity.

Eleven trials races were staged and the 10 fastest times qualified to the Oct. 28 final, which features a $170,550 first prize. The other finalists are First Freeze (:19.857), Very Dashing Chick (:19.900), Jetin Chablis (:19.900), Dylans Dandy (:19.906), Streakin Illusively (:19.912), A Silver Goblin (:19.971), Fantasies Royal (:19.999), Indio Solitario (:20.000) and Jess A Lil Bit More (:20.015).

Prior to Saturday’s race, Dont Let Down finished third behind No Secrets Here and Gun Battle in the prestigious Grade 1, $1.9 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs on Labor Day. In June, the gelded son of Stoli was third in the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity.

The Texas-bred’s convincing victory Saturday – a two-length romp over Perrys Lil Sis – was his fourth win in eight starts. He now boasts career earnings of $214,207 for Cox, the Peaster, Texas resident who also bred the horse.

Buchanan and Vazquez will attempt to win the Dash For Cash Futurity for the second time. They teamed to win the 2000 renewal with Joshua Harner’s Pivotal Decision. This year, they’ll likely have to buck a trend: no favorite has won the Dash For Cash Futurity in eight runnings of the race.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Saturday’s attendance was a meet-high 6,128 – a 46.4% increase from last year’s Dash For Cash Futurity trials. It was also the most attended non-Breeders’ Cup simulcast Quarter Horse date since Oct. 4, 2003 (the second night of the 2003 Fall Meeting of Champions which also happened to be Dash For Cash Futurity Trial Night)…

Intermittent rain started to fall in Grand Prairie after the sixth race…

Those outside the Top 10 in the Dash For Cash Futurity trials are eligible for the $47,375 Dash For Cash Juvenile on Oct. 28 with an $11,843 first prize. Preference is given to the next fastest qualifiers…

Live racing returns to Lone Star Park on Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. The four-day week is highlighted by trials for the $60,000 Lone Star Paint & Appaloosa Futurity on Friday (the final is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 – the same day as the Breeders’ Cup simulcast). On Saturday night, 3-year-olds and up will sprint 400 yards in the $20,000 6666 Ranch Handicap…

Friday’s program also includes another “Party at the Park” in the Courtyard of Champions from 7-11 p.m. with live music by Bottom Line and drinks specials…

Next week’s major simulcasts include Friday night’s $250,000 Oklahoma Derby – one of six stakes at Remington Park. The Group 1 Caufield Cup also will be imported from Australia….

On Saturday, there are three graded stakes: the Grade II, $300,000 Lexus Raven Run at Keeneland; the Grade III, $200,000 Safely Kept Breeders’ Cup Stakes from Laurel Park; and Grade III, $300,000 Carleton F. Burke Handicap from Santa Anita. Also, 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide is expected to head the $250,000 Empire Classic on New York Showcase Day at Belmont Park…

The Sunday, Oct. 22 simulcasts are topped by the Grade I, $2 million Pattison Canadian International and Grade I, $1 million E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine.