The Inside Track by Tim Keithley: Five Horses to Watch in the All American Trials on Sunday

Race 1: Kylee Joy (#1)

Reading the also-ran winners on her past performance lines: Hotsempting, Fernweh, Uncle D—you get the idea. This filly has been in versus the fastest horses in the country most every time. Here’s the perfect opportunity to finally breathe free of those guys and get home a winner. She just broke her maiden July 24 for trainer John Stinebaugh and jockey Francisco Calderon jumps back on board. Here’s a fresh horse sittin’ on go for owner Rodney Christiansen.

Race 3: Valiant Astica (#9)

This filly was a runner-up in the Rainbow Oaks to Ratification at 20-1 odds missing by just a neck for trainer Fred Danley. She has five money finishes in eight career starts at Ruidoso Downs including a fifth-place finish in last year’s Rainbow Futurity to Uncle D. Valiant Astica is owned by Sue May and Jimmy Childs and will be ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. at 5/2 odds. DERBY

Race 6: Fernweh (#2)

Here comes the queen who chooses to skip the filly division and run versus the boys in the Derby. A little shine came off her wagon in the Rainbow Oaks final when she veered out and was disqualified by the stewards. Taking that race in stride this is still one of the fastest three-year-olds in training for Duke Shults. We’ll give her that one race off—deserves it after being undefeated—and expect success for owner Rusty Allred. Jockey Ricky Ramirez stays aboard at 9/5 odds but expect more live even-money.

Race 9: Uncle D (#3)

This big, strapping colt has had a bad summer—but haven’t we all? In the Ruidoso trials the colt happened to have heard a noise and turned his head at the moment they sprung the gate yet still got up for second versus Cers Final Try. Next comes the Rainbow trials when it was discovered after the race that Uncle D had the equivalent of a chest cold. Trainer Clinton Crawford and owner Fran Cavenaugh are determined to have this horse right for Sunday. There just might be a happy ending to summer after all; odds are right at 9/2 for rider Cody Smith.

Race 10: Mister Riptide (#3)

New Mexico has a strong representative in the All American Derby this year with Mister Riptide, winner of the Zia Derby here July 25. Trainer Duke Shults had to repair a slight cut on the horse’s foot in time for the final and did a magnificent job preparing the gelding for his trip in the mud that day. This is like a hometown racehorse—six wins in eight local starts and remember that Mister Riptide just missed winning last year’s All American Futurity by a neck. Ricky Ramirez rides at odds of 5/2 for owners Mark and Annette McCloy.