For immediate release                            Contact:     Tim Keithley
                                                                                        575-937-4708
Friday, August 09, 2024                                             tkeithley@raceruidoso.com

TRIPLE CROWN REPORT Presented by:

ARIATT FASTEST TO QUALIFY DAY-1, HEZGOTHELOOK Z WILL HAVE A SHOT AT ALL AMERICAN TRIPLE CROWN IN ABQ

(Albuquerque, NM) Ariatt, a New Mexico-bred two-year-old quarter horse born and raised at La Feliz Montana Ranch, upset the field in the fifth trial race on Friday winning by a length in the fastest time of the day, 20.974 seconds for 440-yards to qualify for the Grade-1 $3 million All American Futurity at the Downs of Albuquerque.

With jockey Luis Martinez on board, Ariatt won for the second time in four career stars for owner Javier Rodriguez and his brother, trainer Xavier Rodriguez. “He’s an April baby and so he still needs to mature and

improve,” Rodriguez said. “There is a lot of room for improvement with this horse for the finals.”

Ariatt went off at 8-1 defeating the favorite Highly Regarded V and jockey Francisco Calderon. The gelding paid $19.40, $4.80 and $4.40.

Ariatt is sired by Tempting Dash out of the mare Lethal Lil by Corona Cartel. Despite Ariatt being fastest to qualify, the spotlight for the September 2 nd running of the All American Futurity will now be on Hezgothelook Z and jockey Bryan Candanosa, winner of the third trial race of the day in a qualifying time

of 21.108 seconds for 440-yards.

Hezgothelook Z and Candanosa will attempt to become only the second quarter horse in racing history to win the Triple Crown, the Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American Futurities as a two-year-old. The feat was accomplished by Special Effort in 1981.

The gelding won for the fifth time in six career starts with earnings of nearly $860,000 for Norma Olivarez and the Triple One Ranch.

Hezgothelook Z is sired by Favorite Cartel out of the mare Shezgothelook by Fdd Dynasty. The horses to qualify for the $3 million All American Futurity today include:

Horse Jockey Trainer Time

1. Ariatt Martinez Rodriguez 20.974

2. Hezgothelook Z Candanosa Keeton 21.108

3. Highly Regarded V Calderon Taylor 21.117

4. Mountainaire Candanosa Keeton 21.235

5. Fdd Dreams Martinez Rodriguez 21.262

The final two races of the day were delayed by a strong thunderstorm that moved through the Albuquerque area. Ruidoso Downs racing at the Downs of Albuquerque continues on Saturday with Day-2 trials for the $3 million All American Futurity. First post time is Noon.