Space Cowwboyy won the $100,000 Ruidoso QH Juvenile at Ruidoso Downs Sunday afternoon.

© Victoria Garcia / Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE 9, 2024–With a steady bid under jockey Luis Martinez, $55,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate Space Cowwboyy, was a half-length winner over Lethal Cowboy 123 in the $100,000 Ruidoso QH Juvenile Sunday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

Trainer Juventino Ruiz saddled the son of leading sire Corona Cartel to his first win from six starts for owners Jimmy Vasquez and Scott Branson. The bay gelding clocked 17.687 seconds over the 350 yards, equaling an 87-speed index into an 11 mph headwind. The victory was worth $45,529.

Space Cowwboyy is a half-brother to two black-type runners, including Grade 1-placed Ruidoso Distaff winner Valiant Stars.  Bred in Utah by McColee Land & Livestock LLC,

Space Cowwboyy's dam is the Grade 2 stakes-winning Greeley's Galaxy thoroughbred mare Cluster Of Stars, earning nearly $550,000. Space Cowwboyy was a finalist in the West Texas Juvenile at Sunland Park in April.

Runner-up Lethal Cowboy 123, a $150,000 Los Alamitos Equine Sale graduate sold under the name Idtaketwoifiwasyou, earned $19,512 for second. Making only his second start for owners Caliche Walls Venture LLC, Alan Isabell, Lance Bland, and Jimmy Barton, Lethal Cowboy 123 won his trial for the Ruidoso Futurity in his career debut.

Space Cowwboyy and jockey Christian Ramos return to the Ruidoso QH Juvenile winner's circle on Sunday.
© Victoria Garcia / Ruidoso Downs

Trainer Marc Jungers named jockey Christian Ramos to ride the California-bred son of leading second-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 from the First Down Dash mare Pretty Lethal. Veronica Gail Kawananakoa is the breeder.

Lethal Cowboy 123 is a half-brother to three black type and his second dam is Grade 1 All American Futurity producer Lethal Delight by Dean Miracle.

Daou, a $270,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate ridden by champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, finished a neck back to earn$10,840 for third.

Fred Danley trains the FDD Dynasty colt out of restricted Grade 3 winner Donelli by Big Daddy Cartel for owner J and SM, Inc. MJ Farms-bred the 2-year-old, whose third dam is the champion First Down Dash mare Ch Alice K White.

Mr Ivory, Kiss My Legs Bye, Invasive, and New Frontier completed the field. Highly Regarded V, Jess Sonny D, and Kj Born To Be Wild were scratched.

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Racing continues next weekend at Ruidoso Downs. Post time for racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be 1 p.m. (MDT)