Tight Fittin Jeans Takes the Sierra Starlet & Jess A Satin Flash is Victorious in Zia Handicap

 RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – JULY 25, 2020 – With rain coming down hard on a muddy track, Mister Riptide hit the wire first in the Grade II Zia Derby today at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Last year’s winner of the Zia Futurity ran the 400-yard course in 19.885 to win the signature race for New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds on this weekend’s Zia Festival race card. 

Mister Riptide, the second-place finisher in the 2019 All American Futurity, is owned Mark and Fay Annette McCloy and is trained by Charles “Duke” Shults.

“He needed the time after the All American last year, and he came back so fresh and ready,” said trainer Shults. “He’s got a real heart for racing, and we’ll point him now toward the All American Derby.”

Jockey Ricky Ramirez, who has ridden the sorrel gelding in every one of his starts, was aboard again today. Mister Riptide, who won by a neck, is by Woodbridge out of Chicks Chamisa by Chicks a Blazin.

“It was just a perfect trip,” said Ramirez. “About halfway through, it was still a hand-ride. Then I asked him for a little, and he gave me a lot.”

In the $50,000 Zia Handicap, Jess A Satin Flash was the winner. The sorrel gelding by First Moonflash out of Jess Satin by Mr Jess Perry is owned by Bertha Irigoyen and comes out of the barn of Rene Saucedo. Jockey Adrian Ramos guided the horse over the 400-yards in a time of 19.948. No Mires A La Luna finished second and Daddys Wine finished third.

Tight Fittin Jeans, a brown filly by Shame On Charlie out of Curvy Kitten by Ministers Wild Cat, won the $50,000 Sierra Starlet. Owned by Greg and Delinda Green and Corie O’Connor, the horse covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.46 and hit the wire a length and half ahead of second-place finisher Laugharoo and third-place finisher Two Stepper.  Francisco Amparan was aboard today for trainer/owner Greg Green.

The Zia Festival concludes tomorrow with the running of the Grade I Zia Futurity where the undefeated Vine Master will try to keep his record perfect. The 400-yard race for 2-year-old Quarter Horses has a purse of $392,547 and will be the featured 9th race. Tomorrow’s race card also features six additional stakes races including the Zia Juvenile, the Zia 870 Championship, the Road Runner Handicap, the Lincoln Handicap, the Land of Enchantment Stakes and the Sierra Blanca Handicap.

Post time is 1:00 PM MDT on Sunday. 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.