American Runaway stayed alive for the All American Triple Crown when the Ocean Runaway colt on Thursday posted the fastest qualifying time for the July 25 Rainbow Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs.

Winning the sixth of 18 trials by 1 ¼ lengths as the 1-5 favorite, American Runaway covered 400 yards in :19.428. Paul Jones saddled and Cody Jensen rode the Utah-bred colt for owners Sammy Martinez, Johnny Martinez, and Bobby Cox.

American Runaway has earned $358,373 from six outs, and his three wins include the $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity (G1) on June 13, the first leg of the All American Triple Crown. The Triple Crown pays a cash bonus to the connections of any horse who can sweep Ruidoso Downs’ three open Grade 1 futurities – the Ruidoso, Rainbow, and All American (G1).

Bred by Lance K. Robinson, American Runaway is one of seven stakes winners from 152 starters sired by Ocean Runaway, the AQHA champion 2-year-old in 2004 and champion sophomore colt the following season. American Runaway’s dam, Allamericandreamgirl, is a winning daughter of Strawfly Special and a half sister to five stakes winners, including champions Heartswideopen and Special Phoebe.

American Runaway is one of four Rainbow Futurity finalists trained by Paul Jones. The AQHA champion trainer every year since 2002, Jones won the ’03 Rainbow with Planet Holland.

Second-fastest qualifier Hes Too Icy For Me won heat 5 by 1 ¼ lengths for owners Robert and Dolores Gerhardt. Prepped by Carlos Sedillo and ridden by Jacky Martin, the California-bred colt by First Down Dash stopped the timer in :19.491 while earning his second victory in three starts.

The complete list of qualifiers for the $625,000 Rainbow Futurity: