Weekend Preview by Mike Ahrens: August 14 - 16, 2020

Saturday features the Ruidoso Downs Distaff Challenge, John Deer Ruidoso Downs Challenge, and Adequan Ruidoso Downs Derby Challenge, all for quarter horses, while Sunday's attention is on New Mexico-bred thoroughbreds with the Rio Grande Senorita and Rio Grande Senor Thoroughbred Futurities.

Trainer Eddie Willis sends out two with a major shot in the Distaff. Preyn Onthe Mountain hasn't raced since last October. The owners bred her and she "worked real good" in two recent workouts here according to Willis. "She's the soundest horse in my barn and she'll be tough to outrun." He also has Jess B Glory who also poses a threat. "I don't like running them together but there's nothing you can run them (older mares) in here." He plans to send them to California for a race about a month after the Distaff for a stakes out there. Willis had the likely favorite for the John Deere in Peves Jackpot Jack but indicated he would scratch in favor of the All American Futurity trials.

In the Rio Grande Senorita trainer Joel Marr has the first two finishers from the only trial run on a fast track before rains came that day turning the track sloppy. Assistant Clay Sparks has been high on Speedy Wildcat from early on, though in the trial that one was unable to get past stablemate Atill I Chime while making an inside bid in the stretch after an awkward break. In the Senor the likely favorite will be Aisle Runner, who disappointed as the favorite in the Mountain Top Futurity after breaking inwardly and a step slowly from the rail and having to navigate an advance through runners to close for fourth for trainer Todd Fincher. Coming off a second place finish to Jornalero in the trial for this, Aisle Runner has now drawn outside and should get a better trip than in the Mountain Top. The third-place finisher in that trial for the Senor was Delbert Too from the same barn and who impressed Fincher in that race,  which was also his debut. He said both geldings are doing well.