Levelland group’s horse highly favored for race

Some local residents will  turn  a keen eye to the mountains of southern New Mexico this coming Labor Day weekend.

Itís there, on Sept. 7, that four men will eagerly wait to see how a two-year-old quarter horse fares in the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs, N.M. 

The horse, First Valiant Sign, is  considered a probable favorite for the $1.5 million first-place check in the $3 million All American Futurity.

The brown gelding is a tremendous competitor, says Joe Dee Brooks, one of four co-owners.

‘It’s been real interesting,’ said the Hockley County resident. ‘People try to do this for 30 or 40 years.’

Brooks, Larry Bryant, Lee Lewis and Derrol Hubbard acquired the two-year-old for $100,000 a year ago during the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

The gelding’s lineage is Valiant Hero-First Painted Sign by PYC Paint Your Wagon.

The quarter horse has been trained by Michael W. Joiner.