All American Derby/Oaks at Ruidoso Downs
A Pollitical Candy V and jockey Juan Pulido dominated a stellar field of three-year-old quarter horses to win the $808,264 All American Derby Sunday at Ruidoso Downs Race Track by a length ahead of Delight Us All and Lethal Avenger.
“I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to ride this great horse,” jockey Juan Pulido said in the winner’s circle. “This horse is amazing. I felt him take off at about 50-yards into the race and that’s when I knew that we had it.”
The gelding has now won five straight races including the Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs July 23 for owner Samuel Valeriano and trainer Santos Carrizales Jr. A Pollitical Candy V is next expected to compete in the Super Derby at Los Alamitos in the fall.
A Pollitical Candy V paid $6.20, $4.00 and $3.00 to win the 11 th race in a running time of 20.842 seconds for 440-yards. His sire is Apollitical Jess out of the mare Rock Candy Sa by Good Reason Sa.
In the $460,824 All American Oaks, Political Rose and jockey Jesus Ayala came through early traffic and held off Miss Beth Dutton and Shesa Relentless Gal to win in a time of 21.108 seconds for 440-yards. “The filly has such a big heart and is so athletic,” trainer Monty Arrossa said in the winner’s circle. “She came back from the trials bouncing and responded well to light training. We knew she was absolutely ready when those gates opened to do something big today.
Our team really wanted to win this race.” Political Rose paid $4.60, $3.00 and $2.40 in winning the 10 th race for owner Matt Dunn. The filly also has a five-race win streak including a victory in the Heritage Place Oaks at Remington Park on May 28. Arrossa said the filly is also scheduled for a trip to Los Alamitos to compete in the Super Derby. The filly’s sire is Apollitical Jess out of the mare Cartel Rosie by Carters Cartel.
The 9th race was the $100,000 All American Invitational, won by Political Thinker and jockey Noe Garcia Jr. in an upset. The gelding was sent off at 20-1 holding off One Slick V and Jess Savin Candy by a neck. Political Thinker paid $43.00, $15,60 and $7.60 in a running time of 21.059 seconds for 440-yards. The gelding is owned and trained by Jesus Soto and is sired by Apollitical Jess out of the mare Budder Think Twice by First Down Dash.
Racing continues at Ruidoso Downs on Monday with the running of the $3 million All American Futurity, the $200,000 All American Juvenile, and the $150,000 All American Gold Cup. First post on Monday will be Noon.