The annual post position draw for the All American Futurity, All American Derby, and All American Oaks was held earlier today at the Ruidoso Downs racing office.

© Bee Silva

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 25, 2025—The stage is set for one of the most prestigious days in Quarter Horse racing, as post positions were drawn today at Ruidoso Downs for the All American Futurity, All American Derby, and All American Oaks.

The three Grade 1 events and two invitationals will be run on Monday, September 1, 2025, at The Downs at Albuquerque, with combined purses totaling over $5 million.

All American Futurity [G1]

Purse: $3,000,000 • Distance: 440 yards • Age: 2-year-olds
Trials: August 4, 2025 • Final: September 1, 2025

The richest race in Quarter Horse racing will once again feature an elite field of ten juveniles. King Of The Tide, a gelding by Eye Am King trained by S. Trey Wood, drew the rail in post 1 after posting the fastest qualifying time (:21.001) by defeating Dragon Link in the seventh of sixteen trials.

Among his toughest challengers is Political Twist (post 9), a gelding by Apollitical Jess who posted a sharp :21.055 in his trial for trainer Xavier E. Rodriguez. The Diesel Train (post 10), a Freighttrain B colt owned and trained by Luis Daniel Iturralde, also looms large after setting the fastest time on the second day of trials when edging Rovos Rail by a neck.

Other standouts include Lethal Lobo (post 5), an impressive :21.194 qualifier for trainer Wesley Giles, and Envestor (post 4), a Dulce Sin Tacha gelding from the Zackary Stinebaugh barn.

Post Positions — All American Futurity [G1]

1. Dee Favorite Tacha (:21.176) — Ricardo G. Armendariz Jr. / (SCRATCH)

2. Rovos Rail (:21.104) — James J. Gonzales III / Sergio Becerra, Jr.

3. Ajs Wingman (:21.135) — Jason Olmstead / Ramiro Garcia

4. Envestor (:21.136) — Zackary Stinebaugh / Ali Rivera

5. Lethal Lobo (:21.194) — Wesley T. Giles / Noe Garcia Jr.

6. King Of The Tide (:21.001) — S. Trey Wood / Ricky Ramirez

7. Dragon Link (:21.118) — James J. Gonzales III / Christian Cardenas

8. Kj Xquizit Jess (:21.121) — Wesley T. Giles / Emilio Tapia

9. Political Twist (:21.055) — Xavier E. Rodriguez / Luis Martinez

10. The Diesel Train (:21.060) — Luis Daniel Iturralde / Omar Iturralde

All American Derby [G1]

Purse: $1,077,461 • Distance: 440 yards • Age: 3-year-olds
Trials: August 6, 2025 • Final: September 1, 2025

An accomplished group of sophomores returns for a shot at the All American Derby title. House Of Lords, a gelding by Flying Cowboy 123, headlines the field after setting the fastest qualifying time (:20.789) in his trial victory for trainer Victor H. Rodriguez-Flores. He drew post 5, a favorable spot for his running style.

Joining him is FDD Dreams (post 8), the Ruidoso QH Derby (G1) winner, who enters in peak form after qualifying with a :20.976 clocking for trainer Xavier E. Rodriguez. Another major contender is KJ Born To Be Wild (post 2), a consistent Apollitical Jess gelding from the Wesley Giles barn, who will look to improve off his recent Rainbow Derby runner-up finish.

The field’s depth doesn’t stop there. Beach Fire (post 6), also trained by Giles, and AJ Flashnthachicks (post 3), a multiple graded stakes winner conditioned by S. Trey Wood, are expected to attract heavy betting support. Rounding out the challengers are Holy Pete (post 9), Big Bang Rocket (post 1), and Ariatt (post 10), all of whom bring graded stakes experience.

Post Positions — All American Derby [G1]

1. Big Bang Rocket (:21.065) — Michael W. Joiner / Christian Ramos

2. KJ Born To Be Wild (:20.971) — Wesley T. Giles / Noe Garcia Jr.

3. AJ Flashnthachicks (:21.125) — S. Trey Wood / Ricky Ramirez

4. Hovland (:21.049) — Xavier E. Rodriguez / James Flores

5. House Of Lords (:20.789) — Victor H. Rodriguez-Flores / Francisco Calderon

6. Beach Fire (:21.106) — Wesley T. Giles / Jesus Ayala

7. Jess Sonny D (:21.015) — Manuel Rodolfo Rodriguez / Oscar Andrade Jr.

8. Fdd Dreams (:20.976) — Xavier E. Rodriguez / Luis Martinez

9. Holy Pete (:20.910) — John A. Stinebaugh / Ali Rivera

10. Ariatt (:21.052) — Xavier E. Rodriguez / Brian Candanosa

All American Oaks [G1]

Purse: $700,898 • Distance: 440 yards • Age: 3-year-old fillies
Trials: August 6, 2025 • Final: September 1, 2025

The All American Oaks field features a stellar cast of sophomore fillies, headlined by Razor Sharp (post 4), the fastest qualifier from the trials with a :20.997 clocking for trainer Eric Valenzuela. She defeated Karmas A Chick by a neck in the final Oaks trial, setting herself up as the likely favorite.

Karmas A Chick (post 5), trained by Clinton Crawford, and Curl Happy Wagon (post 8), a Favorite Cartel filly for Ricardo G. Armendariz Jr., are both primed to challenge the top spot.

Apolitical Chilitas (post 1), a talented Apollitical Jess filly trained by Luis C. Rojero, could benefit from the inside draw, while Bold N Beautiful (post 9) and Rainbow Of Diamonds (post 6) are potential upset candidates in this competitive field.

Post Positions — All American Oaks [G1]

1. Apolitical Chilitas (:21.249) — Luis C. Rojero / Cruz Mendez

2. D Fawn (:21.248) — Clinton Crawford / (SCRATCH)

3. Ohana Spirit (:21.210) — John A. Stinebaugh / Ali Rivera

4. Razor Sharp (:20.997) — Eric Valenzuela / Sergio Becerra Jr.

5. Karmas A Chick (:21.010) — Clinton Crawford / Jacob Enriquez

6. Rainbow Of Diamonds (:21.192) — Victor H. Rodriguez-Flores / Francisco Calderon

7. Sheza Fearless Eagle (:21.246) — Fernando Manriquez / Jorge Torres

8. Curl Happy Wagon (:21.103) — Ricardo G. Armendariz Jr. / Jesse Levario

9. Bold N Beautiful (:21.063) — John A. Stinebaugh / Gilbert Linares

10. Karmalites (:21.093) — Jorge L. Sanchez Jr. / Luis Martinez

Labor Day Racing Spectacle

With a combined $5,078,359 in purses, this year’s Labor Day racing program promises to be one of the richest and most competitive in Quarter Horse racing history.

The All American Futurity, All American Derby, All American Oaks, All American Juvenile, and All American Invitational have each assembled powerhouse fields, ensuring a memorable day for fans at The Downs at Albuquerque and viewers worldwide. 

The races will be part of the eleven-race card with post time scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (MDT).

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