Weekend Preview by Mike Ahrens: July 17 - 19, 2020

Saturday kicks off stakes action with the Rainbow Invitational Stakes, the inaugural Rainbow Oaks, and the Rainbow Derby in races six, eight and ten, respectively. The Rainbow Invitational is for three-year-olds who competed in the Rainbow Derby trials and did not qualify for the finals. Drawn outside in a field of 10 is Todd Fincher-trained Determined One, who ran third in the All American Futurity last year. "He's great," said Fincher. "I do believe he's the best horse but the nine horse (Battle Weary, trained by Duke Shults) needs consideration too." Given Fincher's aptitude at handicapping, these two should be closely watched.

Fernweh brings an undefeated record for the first running of the Rainbow Oaks, restricted to three-year-old fillies. Winner of last year's Ruidoso Futurity before being sidelined, she's returned this year with three dominant performances which have Shults exuding confidence. "She's doing really well," he said. "And I believe if she runs her race it won't be a challenge."

All eyes in the Rainbow Derby will be on Hotsempting, a filly whose connections elected to go here against the males rather than the Oaks. She won the Ruidoso Derby and rides a four-race win streak, with five wins from seven starts at Ruidoso Downs. But there is no shortage of qualified challengers seeking to upset. One of those is Cers Final Try for trainer Tony Sedillo, who after coming out a bit at the start in the Ruidoso Derby chased Hotsempting home to be second. "He's doing good, staying sound," said Sedillo. "We just need a good break. I think if we can leave heads-up we can turn the table." Trainer John Stinebaugh will send out Perrys Double Down and He's Back. The latter ran second to Hotsempting in the trial for this, beaten one and three-quarters lengths, but Stinebaugh is high on both. "I'm surprised He’s Back hasn't been a better horse at a quarter-mile than he's shown," he said. As for Perry’s Double Down, who has shown steady improvement over a six-race career, "He's now just getting into himself."

Sunday features the Rainbow Juvenile Stakes and Rainbow Futurity for two-year-olds. Earlier in the meet, trainer Blane Wood indicated his horses were a bit green and should be developing at the right time for the stakes later in the summer. This prediction has come true as he has three in each of the aforementioned stakes. His Whistle Stop Cafe should get plenty of betting action in the Futurity, bringing in a perfect three-for-three career. Trainer Clint Crawford will send out two, Seven and B Cause I’m A Hero, breaking from posts nine and ten respectively. "They're both doing great," said assistant trainer Renee Wilson. "Seven just keeps stepping up. I think he had the tougher trial as far as post position and wind. I like them both and they've both come back good." The fastest qualifier coming into the finals is Wryker, trained by Marc Jungers. This gelding was also co-bred and is co-owned by Jungers, who said this is the biggest race he's ever been in as a trainer. He also said Wryker has a morning ritual of eating ice and that he's doing good. "We pray for a clean race and let the best horse win."