Racing


Hesa Party Wagon Lands First Career Stakes Win in $25,000 John Andreini Memorial at Ruidoso
Hesa Party Wagon, under jockey Justine Klaiber, winning the $25,000 John Andreini Memorial Stakes today at Ruidoso Downs.

© Jake Rogers Photography
Hesa Party Wagon Lands First Career Stakes Win in $25,000 John Andreini Memorial at Ruidoso

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – MAY 30, 2022 – It was his fifth trip to the winner’s circle in his career, but his first time to do so in a stakes race for Hesa Party Wagon, winner of the $25,000 John Andreini Memorial Stakes on the Memorial Day card at Ruidoso Downs.

Hesa Party Wagon ($15.00) pulled off a small upset as jockey Justine Klaiber guided the 4-year-old to victory by a neck over Cers Final Try. The winner earned an 84 speed index after covering 350 yards in :17.838.

"He dug in and showed he has some class," winning jockey Justine Klaiber said in the winner’s circle. "It seemed like he had an extra gear today."

Adding the winner’s share of $15,000 from the stake, Hesa Party Wagon has earned $74,464 in his career.  His previous wins include a pair of allowance wins at Zia last fall and an optional claiming event at Remington earlier this month.

Hesa Party Wagon is owned and trained by Juan Baeza. He was bred in Oklahoma by Buddy Albin, by Hes Relentless and out of Lil Miss Party Doll, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

The winning connections of Hesa Party Wagon accept the John Andreini Memorial Stakes trophy Sunday at Ruidoso Downs © Jake Rogers Photography

Last year’s winner of the John Andreini Memorial Stakes, Cers Final Try, was up for second along the rail with Bryan Candanosa in the irons for trainer Tony Sedillo.

The One Dashing Eagle gelding is owned by Christina Robinson and was bred by Charles Robinson in Oklahoma, out of the Corona Cartel mare Bp Shes All Corona.

Cers Final Try is an accomplished 5-year-old with $709,537 earned in 26 starts. As a 3-year-old, he won the Rainbow Derby (G1), finished second in the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and ran third in the All American Derby (G1). He was the runner up in the All American Juvenile Stakes and qualified to the Hobbs America Futurity (G2) before finishing third in the Southwest Juvenile Invitational Championship (G2) in 2019.

Steal the Candy and Esgar Ramirez finished third. The 4-year-old gelded son of Jess Good Candy is trained by Manuel Rodriguez for owner Roberto Chacon. He was bred in Oklahoma by Stone Chase Stables, LLC, out of She Travels, by Fishers Dash.

Steal the Candy earned his first stakes placing in Monday’s race; in his career, he has also competed in the Texas Classic Futurity (G1), the Rainbow Derby (G1), and the Refrigerator Invitational Championship (G1). He is three for 18 lifetime with $95,561 earned.

Completing the field were Everybodyneedsahero, Kj Frankie B, Mitey Political, Hearts Mystic Rime, Pretty Boy Ar and Thrill My Socks Off. Jlc Steal Your Cash was scratched.

Racing continues at Ruidoso Downs next Friday with trials for the $260,000 (est.) Mountain Top Futurity trials for two-year-old New Mexico-bred quarter horses. There will be 13 races with a special first post of 12:00 p.m.

For more information about the racing season visit www.raceruidoso.com.