Hesa Party Wagon Wins $25,000 in John Andreini Memorial Stakes at Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Ruidoso Downs, NM—Hesa Party Wagon, a four-year-old gelding, broke sharply and held off veteran runner Cers Final Try to win the $25,000 John Andreini Memorial Stakes by a half length in the featured eighth race on Memorial Day at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

“He dug in and showed he has some class,” winning jockey Justine Klaiber said in the winner’s circle. “It seemed like he had an extra gear today.”

Hesa Party Wagon is owned and trained by Juan Manuel Baeza. The gelding is sired by Hes Relentless out of the mare Lil Miss Party Doll by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. He paid $15.00, $6.40 and $4.80 in a winning time of 17.838 seconds for 350 yards.

Joining Hesa Party Wagon’s connections in the winner’s circle were this year’s recipients of the John Andreini Scholarship Fund. The fund was formed to award financial assistance towards a college education to deserving students involved in the equine industry. The scholarship fund is named in honor of the late John Andreini, a former co-owner and partner in All American Ruidoso Downs, LLC.

The 2022 scholarship recipients include: Bailey Ziegler, Brooklyn Stephenson, Abegail Lopez, Shaden Marr, Karsyn Reed, Mathew Gonzales and Ryder Foix.

Racing continues at Ruidoso Downs next Friday with trials for the $260,000 (est.) Mountain Top Futurity trials for two-year-old New Mexico-bred quarter horses. There will be 13 races with a special first post of 12:00 p.m. For more information about the racing season visit www.raceruidoso.com.