MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024

(Ruidoso Downs, NM) Post positions were selected today for the quarter horses that will compete in the four major Grade-1 races to be run on Labor Day at the Downs of Albuquerque.

In an unprecedented day of quarter horse racing, six stakes races including four Grade-1 events will be held to wrap up the Ruidoso Downs meet on Monday, September 2.

In the $3 million All American Futurity for two-year-olds, Hezgothelook Z and jockey Bryan Candanosa has been made the 2-1 morning line favorite and will be number-three in the starting gate for owner Norma Olivarez and trainer Toby Keeton. The gelding will attempt to become only the second quarter horse in racing history (Special Effort in 1981) to win quarter horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Here is the lineup for the $3 Million All American Futurity:

1. Mountainaire                      Ramirez                              20-1

2. KJ Bad Moon Rising           C Ramos                             8-1

3. Hezgothelook Z                  Candanosa                        2-1

4. Brink Man V                        Calderon                            7/2

5. Ariatt                                    Martinez                            9/2

6. Painted Eclispe                    Becerra Jr                           15-1

7. Turners Hot Habit               Enriquez                             30-1

8. Peepl R Scrambled             Escobedo                             15-1

9. Highly Regarded V              Pulido                                 12-1

10. Fdd Dreams                          Garcia Jr.                            6-1

The All American Futurity will be the eleventh race on the card with post time scheduled for 6:20 p.m.

Dashing Tres and jockey Candanosa has been made the 5/2 morning line favorite in the $1,076,535 All American Derby for three-year-olds. The gelding will be number-six and has won three straight races including the $800,000 (est) Rainbow Derby at the Downs of Albuquerque July 27. Dashing Tres is owned by Bob McClure.

The Marksman V and jockey Francisco Calderon, winner of the $800,000 (est.) Ruidoso Derby June 8 at Ruidoso Downs, will be number-two in the Derby and is 4-1. The gelding is owned by Sammy Valeriano and trained by Heath Taylor.

The 2023 All American Futurity champion, Cowboys Gun Z and jockey Agustin Silva, will be number-nine in the Derby for West Texas Racing and trainer Mike Joiner. Last year’s champion is 20-1 on the morning line. The Derby is the tenth race on the card.

Here is the lineup for the $1 Million All American Derby:

1. Shoeless                            Pulido                      8-1

2. The Marksman V            Calderon                  4-1

3. Visa                                    Escobedo                 7/2

4. Sonny Corona                  Nicasio                    10-1

5. Bigg Picture                      A Ramos                 30-1

6. Dashing Tres                     Candanosa             5/2

7. Nori                                       Ramirez              30-1

8. Cuz Lightyear                      Ramirez                6-1

9. Cowboys Gun Z                  Silva                       20-1

10. Vegas Trick                        Tapia                    10-1

Running To The Moon and jockey Calderon is the 5/2 morning line favorite in the $625,000 (est.) All American Oaks presented by Rolling Still Vodka and Ponderosa Whiskey. The filly will be number-two for owner Valeriano and trainer Taylor in the ninth race as the filly goes for four consecutive wins.

Here is the lineup for the $625,000 All American Oaks:

Presented by Rolling Still Vodka and Ponderosa Whiskey

1. Bigtime B                                            Delgado              Scratch

2. Running To The Moon                   Calderon                  5/2

3. Shes Snakie                                      C Ramos                 30-1

4. Especially Goodcandy                     Ramirez                   8-1

5. Miss Hi Tide                                       Garcia                    10-1

6. KJ Flying Cowgirl                               A. Ramos                6-1

7. Flying Sophia                                    Flores                       4-1

8. Amore For A Reason                        Escobedo              30-1

9. Tempting Scout                                 Pulido                     7/2

10. Macdara                                             Macdara                 10

KJ Desparado and jockey Adrian Ramos is the 2-1 favorite in the $250,000 All American Gold Cup for three-year-olds and up. The five-year-old former All American Futurity champion has earned a record $3 million in a successful career that includes 16 wins in 24 lifetime starts.

The gelding is owned by John and Kathly Lee and Ruben Mares and trained by Wes Giles and will be number-one in the twelfth race.

Here is the lineup for the $250,000 All American Gold Cup:

1. KJ Desparado                A. Ramos             2-1

2. A Famous Ribbon        Escobedo             8-1

3. Out of the Way            C. Ramos             12-1

4. Easy Perry Cartel          Flores-Garcia       5-1

5. Piano Man Sam           Ramirez               6-1

6. Jess Good Wine           Candanosa          4-1

7. Flash Bak                      Calderon              3-1

 Labor Day’s races will also include the $100,000 All American Invitational and the $200,000 All American Juvenile.

A special tent with reserved seating have been created and tickets to attend the races at the Downs of Albuquerque are available online. Seating is also available at Ruidoso Downs Race Track in the Turf Club, Jockey Club, Cantina and Simulcast area.

Post time for Labor Day weekend is 1 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The All American Futurity post time is scheduled for 6:20 p.m. and will be broadcast nationwide on the Cowboy Channel.