Stable Notes by Mike Ahrens: Friday, May 28, 2021

Clear skies and a near-steady tailwind for most of the day greeted the return of racing this Friday. In the seventh race, Toby Keeton's Mr Apollo Jess took the fastest time to that point, completing 350 yards in 17.590. This two-year-old colt raced three times at Remington Park, qualifying for the finals of the Oklahoma Bred Futurity under the care of trainer Kelly Heltzel. "I got him about a month ago," said Keeton. "We got up here [to Ruidoso] a little late this year. But it's worked out." Mr Apollo Jess hung on to have the fifth-fastest time of the day and a qualifying spot in the Ruidoso Futurity Finals. Keeton also had One Slick V win the third race, who was on the bubble for the consolation for much of the day but ultimately did not make it. "He's got a lot of improvement coming," he said so that one bears watching in the future. Keeton is very excited about Rainbow to Roses in the 14th race on Saturday, stating about her prior out "she got left and circled them. It was the most impressive race I've seen all year."

The 9th race had the fastest tailwind of the day clocking in at 17mph, whereas most of the earlier races ranged between 11 and 14. That extra wind may have helped a little, but don't take anything away from the runners in that race which produced the three fastest times of the day. Runner-up Jess Savin Candy, trained by John Stinebaugh, appeared to put ahead in front of Jess Fire Me in the late stretch but was out finished by that one. Stinebaugh said the gelding's rider, Francisco Calderon, "told me he was a little green. When they got down near the wire and there was lots of screaming he got to drifting in a bit." It should be noted that a stride or two past the wire Jess Savin Candy was back in front by a solid neck.

The wind switched to a crosswind for the 13th and then a headwind in the 14th, compromising runners from the final few races, from which there were some good-looking runners but with times far too slow given the wind.