Stable Notes by Mike Ahrens: Sunday, September 6, 2020

Stakes racing for older horses started today in the fifth race with the All American Invitation Stakes. Oatman Creek Senator who had run in the Ruidoso Derby earlier in the meet was quick to the lead and maintained the advantage to the wire under Raul Ramirez, Jr., bringing the consistent three-year-old gelding's record to three wins, four seconds, and a third from nine-lifetime starts.

All eyes were on odds-on favorite Ratification in the inaugural running of the All American Oaks. This filly has been nothing short of spectacular this season, but a shadow was cast over this race--both figuratively and literally, as previously clear skies clouded up for this event--due to the recent passing of her trainer John Buchanan. Now racing in former assistant trainer Juan Vazquez's name, she didn't get away the best but was quickly in front and never looked back under just moderate urging from rider Francisco Calderon. "She ran straight as an arrow," said Calderon. "John was helping me ride the whole way. It means a lot to me, not because I won, or we won. But it's because of John. This whole week is about John."

The All American Quarter Horse Gold Cup saw two horses battle from start to finish. Danjer broke on top but Dexxter was quick to challenge, and both were heads apart to the wire with the latter prevailing by a quarter length for trainer Monty Arrossa.

Arrossa came back in the following race to take the top two spots in the All American Derby. Gold Heart Eagle V quickly took the lead and then exploded away in mid-stretch to win by a length and a half. Jockey James Flores said "about 150 yards out of the gates" was when he really felt confident in this three-year-old colt. "The horse did it on his own power and demonstrated today that he's a Derby winner." Arrossa "liked him from the getgo. He's got a great disposition and he's beautiful to look at." Stablemate Inaugurator was second with Rainbow Derby winner Cers Final Try finishing a nose better than Ruidoso Derby winner Hotsempting for third.