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SHAKOPEE, MN – In the richest Quarter Horse race of the season, the $137,000 Mystic Lake Northlands Futurity, the last horse to get going this season was first to the wire.

Hipolito Michel-Valverde, owner and trainer of True ($17.00), wasn’t able to get the 2-year-old son of Separate Interest his first start until late June until he could put some nagging issues behind him.

“He had a little stifle, so we had to wait and take it easy,” said Michele-Valverde. “We started late, but he was a really nice baby.  In his first race he ran really green, but he’s just keeps getting better and better.”

True broke alertly under Romero Garcia and never really trailed, winning by a half-length in 18.086.

“I saw how green he was watching the video of his first race, but he ran geat in the trials,” said Garcia. “Today he broke great. I only had to tap him right-handed to keep him focused through the wire.”

He’s Resilient ($6.80) was second and Tres Elegance ($2.80) was third.

In the Skip Zimmerman, Jess Rocket Man went off favored but it was the fastest qualifier, Streakinlilwagon, that took home the trophy and the winner’s share of the $83,000 purse.

“She’s a real nice horse to ride,” said winning rider Stormy Smith. “She stands up in there and leaves and runs her butt off every time.”

There was no added pressure to being the fastest qualifier either.

“Getting qualified is the hard part,” he said. “Once you get to the final you just relax and ride.”

As the second choice, Streakinlilwagon paid $6.80 to win with a time of 19.685 for the 400 yards and earning a speed index of 103. Jess Rocket Man ($2.80) was second and One Kool Dreamer ($4.00) was third.

Streakinllilwagon is owned and was bred by EFR Equine Services and trained by Jason Pascoe.

Earlier on the card, Rate Me a Lady ($31.60) upset the field in the $20,000 Mystic Lake Northlands Juvenile at 15-1 for trainer Jason Olmstead and rider Luis Valenzuela.