Challenge


Challenge Trials Dominate Saturday Program at Ruidoso Downs
B Leaving will head 21 Challenge enrolled 3-year-olds in three 400-yard Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge trials at Ruidoso Downs Saturday.

© Dustin Orona Photography
Challenge Trials Dominate Saturday Program at Ruidoso Downs

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–AUGUST 8, 2022–
Three sets of regional Bank of America Racing Challenge trials will be part of this Saturday's nine-race program at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. Post time for the first race is set for 1 p.m. (MDT).

Twenty-one 3-year-olds are entered in three 400-yard Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge trials. WW Partners' B Leaving, a graded stakes placed Valiant Hero gelding trained by Eddie D. Willis, is coming off of a second-place finish, a head behind winner Whizkey Glasses, in the 400-yard, $270,000 Heritage Place Derby (G2) at Remington Park on May 28. The gelding earned $86,645 from three races during the Remington spring meet, and he scored a half-length victory in the April 16, $68,000 Mr Master Bug Stakes (RG3) for Oklahoma-breds.

B Leaving drew post 2 and will be ridden by Justine Klaiber in the first trial.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the August 27, $30,000-added Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge final.

Jess Good Wine and La Brujita Mayor are among the 37 2-year-olds entered in Saturday's 350-yard John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge (G3) trials.

A sorrel son of Good Reason SA trained by Toby Keeton for Guns Up Racing, Jess Good Wine was a $35,000 purchase at last year's Heritage Place Yearling Sale at Oklahoma City. The gelding has earned $30,043 from three races, and he is coming off of a second-place finish, 1 3/4 lengths behind winner Apollitical Dynamite, in the June 16, $131,000 John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park.

Jess Good Wine drew post 2 and will be ridden by Bryan Candanosa in the third of four trials.

La Brujita Mayor races for Julie Schoenhofer and Maricela Vasquez from the barn of trainer Eric Valenzuela. A brown daughter of EC Jet One and a $15,000 buy at last year's Heritage Place Yearling Sale, the filly is coming off of a third-place finish, a nose behind deadheat winners Mr Red White N Blue and KJ Wicked Wanda, in the May 22, 350-yard Four Corners Futurity at SunRay Park.

La Brujita Mayor drew post 6 and will be ridden by Sergio Dominguez in the third heat.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the $30,000-added John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge final on August 27.

Also on Saturday, 14 fillies and mares are entered in two Q-Racing Video Ruidoso Distaff Challenge (G3) trials.

Trainer Jason Olmstead will send out Lynnder 16, a 6-year-old daughter of world champion Apollitical Jess campaigned by Tom Maher and Richard L. Tobin. Lynnder 16 began her 2022 season with a second-place finish, a half of a length behind winner and reigning champion aged mare Kiss Thru Fire, in the January 2, $100,000 Charger Bar Handicap (G1) at Los Alamitos. The mare has since scored a neck victory as the 7-5 favorite in the July 14, $39,000 Q-Racing Video Canterbury Distaff Challenge (G3) at Canterbury Park.

Lynnder 16 drew post 7 and will be ridden by Edwin Escobedo in the first of two trials.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the August 27, $20,000-added Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge final.

All Ruidoso Downs races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.