CANDY DICE GIVES TRAINER STINEBAUGH, JOCKEY CALDERON A SWEEP IN top spot of RAINBOW FUTURITY TRIALS AT RUIDOSO DOWNS RACE TRACK

Candy Dice, a two-year-old filly making only her second start of her career, recorded the fastest time of the day in the fourth trial race Saturday at Ruidoso Downs Race Track giving trainer John Stinebaugh and jockey Francisco Calderon the top qualifying race horse for both trial days.

Candy Dice was a one-length winner in a 400-yard time of 19.477 seconds, going off at nearly 4-1 odds. She paid $9.60, $5.40 and $3.80.

“I think she can be faster than today,” jockey Calderon said. “She was a little interested in what was going on in the grandstand so I had to try and keep her focused. I was surprised seeing the race time coming back. I think she’ll improve going into the final with the experience she gained today.”

For owner Glenda Bass of Seminole, Texas, it will be the first time to own a race horse in a major stakes race. “”It makes you very nervous,” she said. “She was purchased at the Heritage Place sale last fall, and my trainer (Stinebaugh) helped us pick her out. He  keeps us informed every step of the way of her progress.” Candy Dice was a $22,000 purchase at the sale.

Jess Savin Candy (who was the top qualifier on Friday) and Candy Dice are stalled next to each other in Stinebaugh’s barn at Ruidoso Downs. “They’re polar-opposites,” Stinebaugh said. “She’s very small and he’s so big that it’s humorous that they have this in common now. They couldn’t be more different horses.”

Stinebaugh called Candy Dice a ‘wild thing.’

 “She sees everything and hears everything and is very curious,” Stinebaugh said. “But she’s super-fast and she’ll be a factor going forward—even more so with every race under he belt.”

Other Rainbow Futurity qualifiers on Saturday include: Double Duty in 19.567 seconds; KJ Desperado in 19.572 seconds; BF Shes Outrageous in 19.596 seconds; and Significant Dynasty in 19.617 seconds.

The weekend continues at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday with trials for three-year-old quarter horses in the $374,363 Rainbow Oaks and the $678,253 Rainbow Derby. Post time will be noon with 13 trial races.