Gold Heart Eagle V Cruises to Fastest Qualifying Time for the All American Derby

13th Heat Results in a Draw for Final Qualifying Spot

Photo of Gold Heart Eagle V by Jake Rogers, courtesy of Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – AUGUST 23, 2020 – The excitement that has built up for the much anticipated All American Derby trials did not disappoint. After nine trial heats today, it was Gold Heart Eagle V that ended the day with the fastest qualifying time going into the finals of the $1,077,688 All American Derby finals on Sunday, September 6th. Gold Heart Eagle V ran a blistering 21:108 which was the fastest time at 440 yards all weekend. In addition, the final field is still not complete as the final trial heat of the day not only shook-up the qualifiers but did so in a way that resulted in the need for a draw tomorrow morning to determine who will secure the final spot.

In the 13th trial heat, the top three finishers, Jess Sumokin Hot, Elm Creek Chrome, and Hes Back, broke the time barrier to qualify. In doing so, Kleptomaniac and Perrys Double Down, who both ran a time of :21.549, are currently sitting in the tenth position in a tie. Therefore, tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM, trainers Duke Shults (Kleptomaniac) and John Stinebaugh (Perrys Double Down) will participate in a pill draw in the Racing Office to see which horse will run in the All American Derby and which horse will run in the All American Invitational on September 6th. Shults qualified Jess Sumokin Hot for the final and Stinebaugh qualified Hes Back. 

Gold Heart Eagle V, a black Texas-bred colt, is by One Famous Eagle out of Ladys Heart of Gold by Strawfly Special. He comes out of the barn of Monty Arrossa, who also qualified Inaugurator, and was ridden to victory today by jockey James Flores.

“I was surprised when they flashed the time, and I do think we got a little help with the wind,” said trainer Arrossa. “This colt keeps getting better every time he runs. He’s had limited starts, but he put it all together today. It’s a who’s-who list of Quarter Horses in the final. We’re proud to be in the field!” 

Hotsempting, the 2020 Ruidoso Derby champion and Rainbow Derby runner-up, was another horse that everyone was watching closely. The speedy black filly running in the open division clocked the second-fastest qualifying time by besting those in her heat with a time of :21.341. 

Owned by Miguel and Mauricio Gallegos, the Texas-bred runner is by Tempting Dash out of Pandorum by Tres Seis. Hotsempting is trained by Sergio Ibarra. 

According to trainer Ibarra: “She looked great and is feeling good. She’s put a little weight on this summer and couldn’t be doing any better. It should be a very nice final with Tony’s horse (Cers Final Try). She’ll be ready.”

Jockey Esgar Ramirez, the only jockey ever to have ridden Hotsempting in a race, was aboard for the win today.

“I thought she was very engaged today,” said Ramirez. “She broke well, and when she moved forward, she did it with such authority. Sometimes when she gets out front, she starts looking for another horse but not today. She was all business.” 

Another favorite to make the finals, Rainbow Derby champion Cers Final Try also rose to the occasion and recorded the fourth-fastest qualifying time of the day when he won the seventh heat and hit the wire with a time :21.434. The black gelding is owned by Christina Robinson and is named after the late Charles E. Robinson who won the 2016 All American Futurity with Imperial Eagle. He comes out of the stable of Tony Sedillo and jockey Alfredo Sigala was up.

“I just thought it was a hard-earned win,” said trainer Sedillo. “This horse looks every part of a champion. He might have bobbled a little coming out of the gate, but he’s professional enough to collect himself and get the job done.” 

The horses rounding out the rest of the qualifying field include Jess Sumokin Hot (:21.367); Love Is Everything V (:21.457); Inaugurator (:21.470); Kj Mucho Macho Man (:21.488); Elm Creek Chrome (:21.506) and Hes Back (:21.526). 

Racing continues next Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and post time is set for 1:00 PM. At this time, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club are limited to 50% capacity due to the Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico. For more information on how to watch online, place your bet with your favorite online wagering provider, or conduct drive-thru wagering, please visit RaceRuidoso.com.