JESS SAVIN CANDY KEEPS ROLLING AS TOP QUALIFIER IN RAINBOW FUTURITY DAY-ONE TRIALS AT RUIDOSO DOWNS

Jess Savin Candy, winner of the $1 Million Ruidoso Futurity last month, broke sharply and galloped home a winner in the thirteenth trial race Friday afternoon to qualify for the finals of the $1 Million Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

It keeps alive the prospect of a triple crown victory for the two-year-old quarter horse sired by Jess Good Candy out of the mare Savin Grace by Pappasito. The gelding won by one-and-a quarter lengths and paid $2.40, $2.10 and $2.10 in a time of 19.538 seconds for 400-yards.

To win the triple crown, Jess Savin Candy would have to win the finals of the Rainbow Futurity on July 25th along with the All American Futurity on Labor Day, Sept 6th . Only one horse, Special Effort, has ever achieved that accomplishment back in 1981.

“There was no wind whatsoever to help us,” jockey Francisco Calderon said in the winner’s circle. “I got after him a little bit to keep him racing against the clock, and he responded. He’s just amazing—the horse seems to fully understand his job.”

“I thought the jockey did a very nice job keeping him focused,” the gelding’s owner Dr. Jim Streelman said. “We’re smiling and enjoying this—it’s exciting and a thrill to own such a race horse.”

“The pressure’s off—we made the final,” trainer John Steinbaugh said. “I thought our horse really performed like we knew he could. He broke this time which we knew he could do. This is a shot in the arm for quarter horse racing—this story about whether he can win the triple crown. Our desire is to take him to the starting gate and eventually we’ll all find out.”

Today’s other qualifying horses included: CC Hocks in 19.544 seconds; Lethal Viper in 19.564 seconds; FDD Scout in 19.576 seconds; and Lethal Avenger in 19.608 seconds.

Here is a complete listing of Friday’s horses along with their qualifying times: Trial Results — Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino (raceruidoso.com)

The second day of qualifying for the Rainbow Futurity will be held on Saturday with 14 races scheduled starting at Noon.