RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – AUGUST 1, 2020 – The first trial heat for the Adequan Ruidoso Downs Derby Challenge Trials proved to be loaded with speed as seven of the ten qualifiers came out of that heat including Cherokee Senator who clocked the fastest time of the day on a fast track. The 3-year-old Texas-bred ran the 400-yards in :19.721 just beating second place finisher Silk and Stilettos to the wire. 

Cherokee Senator is owned by Wootan Racing/Terry Wootan et al and is by Louisiana Senator out of Eyesa Lil Cuervo by Lil Bit Cuervo. Cherokee Senator hails from the barn of Mike Joiner who also qualified three horses for the John Deere Ruidoso Downs Juvenile in yesterday’s trials. Jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. was aboard today for the winning ride.

“He seems to be a different horse this year,” said Ramirez, Jr. “I think last season he was late to mature and now he seems to have grown into himself. He got out-broke by the 3 horse but then came running.”

Other qualifiers for the finals include Silk And Stilettos (:19.722); Invader (:19.811); Apollitical B Birdie (:19.925); Rrenlentless (:20.004); A Valiant Zoomer (:20.022); Luchador (:20.045); Tempting Money (:20.105); The Legend Stone (:20.196); and Regards To Cartel (:20.211). Click here to see a complete list of trial times.

The finals for the $56,474 Adequan Ruidoso Downs Derby Challenge will be run on August 15th.

Racing continues tomorrow with the feature race, the $40,000 Mr Jet Moore Handicap. This 400-yard Grade 2 stakes race for 3-year-old and older Quarter Horses is the ninth race in the program, and approximate post time is 4:28 PM. In addition, the seventh race will be the Bobby Dan Crenshaw Memorial Stakes to be run at 1000 yards. This mixed stake race for 3-year-olds and older has a purse of $20,000. Approximate post time is 3:36 PM.

Post time is 1:00 PM MDT on Sunday. At this time, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club are limited to 50% capacity due to the Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico. For more information on how to watch online, place your bet with your favorite online wagering provider, or conduct drive-thru wagering, please visit RaceRuidoso.com