The Inside Track by Tim Keithley: All American Gold Cup Features AA Champ Apocalyptical Jess, Danjer, Valiant Tiberias

A Field of Stars in Storied Race Featuring Older Horses

2018 All American Futurity Champion Apocalyptical Jess highlights the field of eight runners in Sunday’s running of the $125,000 All American Gold Cup going 440-yards at Ruidoso Downs.

The four-year-old gelding returns as number-two in the eighth race and has been listed as a 10-1 longshot in the field. The four-year-old hasn’t won since last summer here claiming the $959,000 Ruidoso Derby and also winning his trial race for the $1 million Rainbow Derby. He finished fourth in his only local start this season behind Valiant Tiberias in the $40,000 Mr Jet Moore Handicap August 2nd.

“He might be the underdog but he’s been training great and we think he’s ready,” trainer Duke Shults said. “Obviously he needed that local start, but I think he’s improving every day. It would be hard to bet against him--he has had so much success on this race track.”

With over $2.2 million in career earnings and eight career wins, Apocalyptical Jess is owned by Bill Robbins and will be ridden by jockey Ricky Ramirez.

Meanwhile, four-year-old Valiant Tiberias is the 9-5 favorite as number-seven in the Gold Cup. Jockey Alan Hernandez will ride the gelding who won the inaugural Ruidoso Downs Maiden Stakes last season along with the Mr Jet Moore Handicap, his only local start this season.

“I would say he’s in top form right now,” trainer Wes Giles said. “He’d have to be that in order to beat this field. He doesn’t necessarily like being on the outside but I think the seven is fine. His mind tends to wander a little when he’s closer to the grandstand.”

Valiant Tiberias has more than $442,000 in earnings for owners Sergio Holguin, Cliften Nielsen, and Felix Rodriguez. The gelding has five local wins in nine attempts.

“Our horse loves racing here,” Frey said who also trains the gelding. “He’s matured so much since his three-year-old campaign. He likes the cooler temperatures and it seems like he flourishes. He couldn’t be training any better leading up the race.”

Danjer is listed as 7/2 on the morning line and will start on the inside as number-one with jockey Cody Smith aboard. He last raced here Labor Day weekend last season, winning the $100,000 First Down Dash. In six local starts, the horse has won four times.

Other starters include: Dexxter, number-three, who is 3-1 with jockey James Flores. The four-year-old gelding won the $210,000 Remington Park Invitational in May for the Dunn Ranch and Valeriano Racing Stables; Up and Coming, 12-1, number-four with rider Federico Martinez, a three-year-old making a first-ever appearance at Ruidoso Downs after a stakes race career at Los Alamitos for La Feliz Montana Ranch; He’s Limitless, 10-1, number-five with jockey Benito Baca, who finished third in last season’s All American Gold Cup but has only one local win for Jack Smith Farms; No Mires A La Luna; 15-1, number-six with jockey Francisco Calderon, a four-year-old who was third in the 2018 All American Futurity and won last season’s Zia Derby for owners David Valdez and Byron Woodard; and SC Money Maker, 6-1, number- eight with rider Esgar Ramirez, a four-year-old who won this season’s $40,000 Higheasterjet June 27 for Reliance Ranches.

The All American Gold Cup runs between the All American Oaks and All American Derby at approximately 4:02 p.m.