Champion Filly Dark Nme, under champion jockey Francisco Calderon, posted her first official gate work of the season at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino today.

© Freddy Carmona

by Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch.com

RUIDOSO, NM–MAY 1, 2024–Last year's AQHA Racing Champion 2-Year-Old Filly, Dark Nme, dazzled onlookers at Ruidoso Downs this morning (May 1) as she posted the fastest 220-yard gate work time of 11.25 seconds.

With AQHA Racing Champion Jockey Francisco Calderon aboard, the Hes Relentless filly worked under a stranglehold from her regular pilot, still managing to clock the second-fastest 220 yards from 56 head with workouts reported on Equibase at the mountain racetrack today.

"She stood well, and went down the lane really good," said Calderon. "I knew she was going fast, but I wouldn't have guessed she went that fast.  She did everything right today, and I am super-excited about what's to come for her three-year-old year."

According to sources close to owner Tyhke Racing LLC, Dark Nme is being pointed to trials of the Three-Year-Old Ruidoso Triple Crown this summer—Ruidoso QH Derby(G1), Rainbow QH Derby(G1), and All American Derby(G1), under the care of trainer Romeo Mireles.

In 2023, the Oklahoma-bred filly out of the Spit Curl Jess mare Quions, scored victories in the 2023 Rainbow Futurity(G1), $1-Million Texas Classic Futurity(G1), and Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity(RG1). 

The L Hendrix Horses LLC bred runner has earned $1,559,452 from 8 wins in 9 career starts.  Her only loss was a troubled third in the $3-milllion All American Futurity on Labor Day.

Trials for the 2024 $850,000-est. Grade 1 Ruidoso QH Derby is scheduled for Sunday, May 26.