Bout Ta Learn Yall, under jockey Christian Cardenas, won the $45,000 John Andrini Memorial Stakes at Ruidoso Downs on Memorial Day.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—MAY 26, 2025—Bout Ta Learn Yall, a 4-year-old gelding by leading sire Apollitical Jess, broke sharply and held steady under pressure to capture Monday’s $45,000 John Andreini Memorial Stakes at Ruidoso Downs, earning his fourth career win and rebounding impressively off a graded stakes placing in his previous start.

Ridden by Christian Cardenas for trainer Sebastian Gonzales and owner Francisco Navarrete, the Utah-bred gray gelding powered down the 350-yard straightaway to stop the clock in 17.620 seconds over a fast track, equaling a 90 speed index into a 10 mph headwind.

The performance came on the heels of a runner-up finish in the Lovington Stakes (G2) at Zia Park on December 15, 2024.

The winning connections of Bout Ta Learn Yall accept the John Andrini Memorial Stakes stakes trophy on Monday at Ruidoso Downs. © Coady Media

Bred by McColee Land & Livestock LLC, Bout Ta Learn Yall is out of the multiple stakes producing First Down Dash mare Aquafina. Monday’s win brought his career earnings $96,563, rewarding connections with the winner’s purse of $27,000.

Breaking from post 2, Bout Ta Learn Yall established command immediately and never relinquished the lead, fending off a sustained challenge from KJ Flying Cowgirl, who finished second by a half-length.

KJ Flying Cowgirl, a 4-year-old daughter of leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of KJ Hotflash by First Moonflash, ran gamely under Emilio Tapia for trainer Wesley Giles and owners John Lee, Kathy Lee, and I. Ruben Mares. The Arizona-bred filly earned $9,000 for the runner-up effort. She was bred by John and/or Kathy Lee.

Winner of the Grade 3 West Texas Maturity in her last start, March 30, Kj Flying Cowgirl has earned $179,303.

Finishing third was Apollitical Boogie J, a 4-year-old gelding by Apollitical Jess out of This Boogie Fires by Walk Thru Fire. Ridden by Jacob Enriquez and trained by Jose DeHerrera, he is owned by Paul Blanchard, Javier M. Chavez, and Heysol Howlet, and was bred in California by Jaime H. Gomez. He earned $4,500 for the third-place finish.

The race was contested under clear skies with a field of seven going to the post.

The order of finish was rounded out by RB Legacy (4th), Uncle Bubb (5th), J Super Corona (6th), and Princess Bella (7th). A steward’s inquiry was held into the start involving Princess Bella, who broke in the air, but no changes were made to the official order.

Bout Ta Learn Yall returned $4.40 to win as the 6-5 favorite. The exacta (2-3) paid $5.40, while the trifecta (2-3-1) returned $27.30.

The John Andrini Memorial marked another step forward for Bout Ta Learn Yall, who appears poised for another productive summer campaign on the Southwest stakes circuit.