Challenge


Jess Swanky Fastest To Adequan Ruidoso Derby
Jess Swanky, under jockey Ivan Carnero, defeating Tempting Valor Friday at Ruidoso Downs.

© Gay Harris / Ruidoso Downs
Jess Swanky Fastest To Adequan Ruidoso Derby

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 12, 2015— Johnny Trotter and Burnett Ranches’ Jess Swanky raced to a 21-1 upset win in the second of three trials to gain fastest-qualifier status to the $52,650 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge on Friday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

Jess Swanky raced the 400 yards in :19.755 with Ivan Carnero aboard.

A gelding by Mr Jess Perry, Jess Swanky won by one-half length over second-fastest qualifier Tempting Valor. Sunflower Supply Company bred the gelding in Missouri from the Racin Free mare Miss Racy Vike.

It was the first career win for the Blane Wood-trained Jess Swanky and came in his fourth career start and his 2015 debut. Last summer, he was second in his Rainbow Futurity trial and his All American Futurity trial.

Trainer Mike Robbins had the second- and third-fastest qualifiers with Tempting Valor and He Is The Risingstar.

Matt Ratliff and Vicki Tebow’s Tempting Valor scored a :19.831 time for finishing second to Jess Swanky at 5-2 odds. The Tempting Dash gelding qualified for last summer’s Grade 1, $900,000 Rainbow Futurity and this spring’s $306,000 Oklahoma-bred Derby. He was the 17-10 favorite in the Oklahoma Derby.

Luis Aguirre bred Tempting Valor in Oklahoma from the Strawfly Special mare Thanks Jens.

Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches’ He Is The Risingstar, a $70,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale purchase, won the first trial at 18-1 odds with a :19.868 time. The Mr Jess Perry-sired gelding won his maiden two starts ago at Sam Houston Race Park and then a troubled ninth in his Ruidoso Derby trial.

Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm, LLC bred He Is The Risingstar in Texas from the Dash For Cash mare Meddlin Mischief.

The only other sire with multiple finalists is Red Storm Cat who got the 4th fastest qualifier El Rayito de Luna and 10th qualifier Whosa Kat.

For the complete list of Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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