RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—SEPTEMBER 2, 2018—The $100,000 First Down Dash, the race before the All American Derby, was taken by Intense Fire. Also at 440 yards, the First Down Dash is for three-year-olds who did not qualify for the All American Derby.

Intense Fire — a 16-1 longshot — took to the wet-fast going and surged in the final yards to get the win under Omar Reyes. Hierarchy was neck behind in second and Believe Me Irene finished third, another one-half length back.

Intense Fire was timed in :21.429.

Owned by Raymond Merrill, Bobby Jack Merrill and Gregory Cullum, Intense Fire scored his first win since taking his Ruidoso Futurity trial more than a year ago.

A son of Walk Thru Fire and Ruidoso Derby winner Remember Me Rose, Intense Fire was a $70,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale purchase.

Intense Fire is trained by Clint Crawford and ridden by Omar Reyes. James Markum and Steve Burns is the breeder.

Paragon Farms, LLC’s Hierararchy finished third in the Grade 1, $759,000 Ruidoso Derby. The FDD Dynasty-sired gelding is trained by Blane Wood and had Ricky Ramirez aboard.

Lazy Creek Ranch bred Hierararchy in California from the Strawfly Special mare Platinum Performance. He earned $18,000. H & E Ranch, Inc. is the breeder.

Diamond Racing Stables, LLC’s Believe Me Irene, a daughter of Valiant Hero, has close seconds in the Grade 1, $200,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship and the $200,000 Sunland Park Winter Juvenile Championship.

A. Flores rode Believe Me Irene for trainer Marcos Carrizales.

One Famous FDD, Ruler Of The Realm, Mi Amor Secreto, Jacky Martin 21, Scoopie Jess, Overhauling and Fooze Jr completed the field.

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