Weekend Preview by Mike Ahrens: June 12 - 14, 2020

This weekend features an array of stakes action, with the Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Futurity FInals and Mountain Top QH Juvenile Stakes on Saturday, and the Ruidoso Maiden Stakes, Rita Danley Distaff, and Ruidoso Sprint Handicap to be run on Sunday.

Leading the field for the Mountain Top Futurity Finals which goes as race 10 is Heza Classy Now, who posted the fastest time in the trials for trainer Harvey Baeza and jockey Paul Nieto. Scheduled to depart from stall three, Baeza said "He's good, gat three or any gate is fine. All we can ask is that all horses get a clear lane to stretch out and may the better-fastest one win." Two races earlier is the Mountain Top Juvenile Stakes for runners who were not quick enough to get into the finals. Trainer JJ Gonzales sends out Vine Master and Bigg Dee in posts nine and 10 respectively. Vine Master had the fastest trial time of the runners in this event.

Sunday's eighth race is the second running of the Rita Danley Distaff for New Mexico bred quarter horse fillies and mares. In the inaugural running, Fred Danley honored his wife of 49 years by running Hollywoodcrown. Also in that running was Wahene Version, trained by Beatriz Sanchez-Carrillo, who finished second before being disqualified for interference. The four-year-old mare figures to have a legitimate shot in this her first start of the year coming off a sharp workout here June 6. Also coming back after participating in last year's running is Hopey Chick in post one. Two others who pose a threat are Honky Tonk Daddy and Close to Crazy. The ninth race is the Ruidoso Sprint Handicap at five-and-one-half furlongs for three-year-olds and up. A field of seven, this event has three horses coming off a victory: True Valor in a stakes race at Rillito March 7, Tappin Fora Dance who had an allowance victory at Sunland March 14, and DE Lover who just won an allowance optional claimer here a week prior on June 7. When asked how DE Lover came out of that race, trainer Tony Sedillo said "Super good. He's the kind that either runs good or doesn't run at all." Perhaps the most intriguing entrant is multiple stakes winner American Dubai, who has spent most of his career going long but for his last start, the first of his seven-year-old season sprinted five furlongs at Sunland Park on March 8 in an allowance race. After being some seven lengths back after the opening quarter, he closed to finish third beaten one and three-quarters lengths. This will be his first start at Ruidoso Downs. "Distance is the question. I believe he can sprint, but I like six furlongs better," said trainer Rodney Richards. "He's doing good, he seems to like the track. [Jockey Enrique] Gomez truly loves him. We're just going to let him run his race." Following this event is the Ruidoso Maiden Stakes with a field of 10 consisting of those with the fastest times from the trials. Three of these entrants are trained by Wes Giles, with Jess Cuz Pyc Can in post three being a major threat and having recorded the second-fastest trial time. The fastest trial went to Hock You who draws to his inside in post two for trainer Roberto Treto. Another quality contender is Jess Find Me, making just the third start of her career and will break from post 10 for trainer Mike Joiner.