JESS FIRE ME TURNS IN THE FASTEST TIME ON DAY 1 OF RUIDOSO FUTURITY TRIALS

Jess Fire Me, Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

On Day 1 of the Ruidoso Futurity trials, Jess Fire Me charged down the track to clock the fastest time of the day, crossing the finish line with a time of:17.42. Jess Fire Me ran in the 9th trial race along with second-place finisher Jess Savin Candy and third-place finisher Lethal Jet both of whom qualified out of the 9th race as well. The track was fast under a mostly sunny sky, and the first 12 races had a tailwind while the last four battled a crosswind that turned to a stiff headwind.

Jess Fire Me, a brown colt by Walk Thru Fire out of Jess Sass Me by Mr Jess Perry, is owned by Empire Racing (Mario Perera et al) and was bred in Utah by Speed LLC. Hailing from the barn of Albert Valles, Jess Fire Me was one of the trainers three winners on the day, and he qualified two to the final.

The colt was a purchased at the 2020 Heritage Place September Yearling Sale for $68,000. Jockey Adrian Ramos was aboard and guided the horse to victory by a head.

“I knew it was close, but I thought I had him at the finish,” said jockey Ramos. “My horse had been working very well, and I knew he was ready. As long as he comes back sound, he should be strong.”

Jess Savin Candy finished second to Jess Fire Me by a head with a time of :17.430. The gelding by Jess Good Candy out of Savin Grace by Pappasito is owned by Dutch Masters, LLL (A.J. Streelman et al) and is trained by John Stinebaugh. Jess Savin Candy was purchased at the 2020 Heritage Place September Sale for $30,000.

“He’s a big boy with a bright future. My horse didn’t break that well, but kept coming,” said trainer Stinebaugh. “I think with a better break, he is going to be hard to beat.”

Francisco Calderon was in the irons for Stinebaugh today. He had a banner day, winning a total of four races.

"I thought we were in front slightly, and then he noticed the grandstand and wouldn't change leads," said jockey Calderon. "I think the horse has lots of room for improvement. He seems to have natural ability. He's just learning."

Lethal Jet, is owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC (Javier Rodriguez et al) and trained by Manuel Rodriguez. The black gelding was bred in Texas by P.K. Thomas and crossed the finish line with a time of :17.573 to notch the third fastest time of the day. He was purchased at the 2020 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale for $50,000.

The leading money earner on the card today, Mr Apollo Jess, finished the day with the fourth fastest qualifying time of :17.590. with $86,629 in two of three starts. The Apollitical Jess colt who has earned $86,629 to-date is owned by Zitro Racing and trained by Toby Keeton. Juan Pulido was aboard the sorrel colt who won the 7th race handily. He was purchased at the 2020 Heritage Place Sale for $115, 000.

The final qualifier of the day was Apollitical J Legacy who qualified out of the 11th race with a time of :17.594. The sorrel colt by Apollitical Jess out of A Delightful Legacy by First Down Dash is owned by LOS LLC (Carlos Lujan et al) and Abelardo Gallegos and is trained by Albert Valles. Sergio Becerra, Jr. was aboard for the win. He was purchased at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale in 2020 for $160,000.

The 6th-10th fastest times of the day that are eligible to run in the Ruidoso Juvenile include Jam Candy (:17.7642), Ironey (:17.692), Mi Bella Valentina (:17.706), Eagle Tempted Dash (:17.715) and Woman in Gold (:17.717). The final for the Ruidoso Juvenile will be run on June 13.

For a full list of trial results, click here.

Trials racing action continues on Saturday with Day 2 of Ruidoso Futurity trials and on Sunday with the Grade 1, $850,000 (est.) Ruidoso Derby trials where 90 3-year-olds will compete in 10 trial heats for a shot at the finals which will be run on June 12. On Monday, the first stakes racing action takes place on the track as Quarter Horses that are 3-years-and-up compete in the John Andreini Memorial Stakes at 350-yards.