SUNDAY, JULY 14, 2024

(Ruidoso Downs, NM) Hezgothelook Z and jockey Bryan Candanosa broke sharply from the gate and never looked back in winning the $1 Million Rainbow Futurity today at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

“He’s getting better every race,” jockey Bryan Candanosa said in the winner’s circle. “This time he never wiggled in the gate. He broke hard and never let up.”

The gelding has won the first two major stakes  races of the season and will have the opportunity for a chance at the Triple Crown. The next step will be to qualify for the $3 Million All American Futurity on August 9th and 10th.

Hezgothelook Z is sired by Favorite Cartel out of the mare Shezgothelook by Fdd Dynasty. The winning time was 19.300 seconds for 400-yards. Hezgothelook Z was purchased at the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale for $70,000, and now has earnings of just over $850,000 in five career starts for trainer Toby Keeton. The gelding paid $3.00, $2.40 and $2.20.

“Look at the way he runs—so determined,” owner Norma Olivarez of Palmview, Texas. “He has the heart of a champion.”    

Fdd Dreams and jockey Luis Martinez chased behind for second by a length-and-a-quarter, and Aguila Rapida and jockey Ricky Ramirez finished third.

In the $100,000 Rainbow Juvenile today, Hard to Politic and jockey Juan Pulido was a half-length winner over Daou and jockey Noe Garcia in a time of 19.695 seconds for 400-yards.

Hard to Politic is sired by Apollitical Jess by the mare Hardtoget by Foose for owner Louis Trey Malcheck III and trainer Keeton.

Racing continues next weekend at Ruidoso Downs with the $800,000 Rainbow Derby, and the $480,000 Rainbow Oaks presented by Rolling Still Vodka and Ponderosa Whiskey. The Zia Festival races will be run next weekend including the $350,000 Zia Futurity and the $160,000 Zia Derby. There will be multiple New Mexico quarter horse and thoroughbred stakes races on the card next weekend.