Jess Cuz Pyc Can Takes Home Ruidoso Maiden Stakes

Jess Cuz Pyc Can. Photo by Jake Rogers, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – June 14, 2020 – Sunday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs included three premier races with Jess Cuz Pyc Can taking home the $89,176 Ruidoso Maiden Stakes, Close to Crazy winning the $40,000 Rita Danley Distaff and American Dubai finishing strong in the $25,000 Ruidoso Sprint Handicap. 

Second-fastest qualifier Jess Cuz Pyc Can, trained by Wesley Giles, crossed the finish line ahead of fastest qualifier Hock You in the Ruidoso Maiden Stakes for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. The 3-year-old gelding by Jesscuzican and out of Her Painted Wagon by Pyc Paint Your Wagon, Jess Cuz Pyc Can was ridden by Alan Hernandez and timed in:17:71 for the 350 yards.

“This horse was lightly raced as a 2-year-old so we put him in the Maiden Stakes just to guarantee he would get some starts and gain some experience. He ends up in the final and wins it,” said trainer Wesley Giles. “We’ve been working on getting this horse to break better and it paid off today. He’ll have his chance in the Rainbow (Derby) if he tells us he’s ready.”

Close to Crazy had a dominant finish ahead of Fabulous Stylin and Jess to Reel to win the second running of the Rita Danley Distaff for New Mexico-bred 3-year-old fillies and mares. Bella Valenzuela’s Close to Crazy, by Jesse James Jr. and out of Da Edge by Separatist, was ridden by Adrian Ramos and timed at:17:688 for 350 yards. 

“We were confident because of the work she gave one morning of the opening weekend here,” said trainer Juan Gonzalez. “She’s very sound and on top of her game right now. She had a powerful break with no looking back.”

Close to Crazy worked a bullet of 11.25 seconds of 220 yards—first out of 46 horses that worked at Ruidoso Downs the morning of May 25.

Sunday afternoon’s race card also included the Ruidoso Sprint Handicap for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds and up. The Enrique Gomez-ridden American Dubai covered the five-and-one-half furlongs in 1:02.46 over Hollywood Henry. Numerologist finished third.

“It’s one of those situations where he’s ready to run and there’s not a lot of opportunities right now,” said owner Rodney Richards of American Dubai. “He’s normally a two-turn horse so we turned decided to try him in this sprint to see what happens. You have to measure the fact that this horse wants to run and shows it no matter the distance. He loves doing his job.”

With the victory, American Dubai, by E Dubai and out of Smash Review by Bates Motel, has topped $500,000 in earnings lifetime in 25 starts. The 7-year-old has 8 career wins and finished in the money 19-of-25 lifetime.

Live racing at Ruidoso Downs continues next weekend with the $125,000 Mountain Top Futurity for New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds on Saturday, June 20. Post time is 1:00 P.M. MDT on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Ruidoso Downs Turf Club and Jockey Club will reopen at 50% occupancy on Friday, June 19th for horse owners, members, and season ticket holders, by reservation. The grandstands will remain closed at this time.

For more information on how to watch and wager online, or conduct curbside wagering, please visit RaceRuidoso.com.