Holy Pete, under jockey Ali Rivera, won the $100,000 Ruidoso QH Invitational Saturday at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 7, 2025—Holy Pete surged to a determined half-length victory in the $100,000 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Invitational Stakes, a 400-yard dash reserved for the ten fastest non-qualifiers from the Ruidoso Derby trials.

Owned by Zane Kiehne and trained by John Stinebaugh, the Texas-bred gelding pushed his career record to (9) 5-2-1 and increased his earnings to $83,360 with the $42,000 winner’s share.

Bred in Texas by Bobby Simmons, Holy Pete is a 3-year-old bay gelding by leading sire Favorite Cartel out of Suze Returns, by High Rate Of Return. He was a $100,000 purchase at the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

With jockey Ali Rivera aboard, Holy Pete broke alertly from post 9 and seized the lead early, holding firm to the wire with a final clocking of 19.633 seconds, a 92 speed index over a fast track.

23-1 longshot Jess Sonny D ran a gutsy second for owner MRB Racing LLC and trainer Manuel Rodriguez. Ridden by Alan Hernandez, the Oklahoma-bred gelding by leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Sonny D (by Tempting Dash) was involved early after breaking well, briefly held the lead, and battled gamely before yielding late.

The winning connections of Holy Pete accept the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Invitational stakes trophy at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino. © Coady Media

He earned $18,000 for the effort, bringing his earnings to $61,487 with a new record of (9) 2-3-2. Jess Sonny D was a $280,000 purchase from the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale and was bred by Flag Ranch LLC.

Multiple graded stakes winner Painted Eclispe closed to grab third, finishing a neck behind Jess Sonny D. The 3-year-old son of champion sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon out of Safari Moonlight by One Famous Eagle was bred in Oklahoma by Donald J. Friesen.

Trained by Xavier Rodriguez and ridden by Luis Martinez, he races for La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Ray Willis. A $32,000 buy from the 2023 Heritage Place Yearling Sale, Painted Eclispe added $10,000 to boost his bankroll to $455,753 from a record of (10) 4-2-1.

Holy Pete under jockey Ali Rivera returns to the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Invitational winner's circle on Saturday.
© Coady Media

His résumé includes a win in the West Texas Futurity (G2) and finals appearances in the All American Futurity (G1), Ruidoso Futurity (G1), and Texas Classic Futurity (G1).

Haughty Vaquero finished fourth and earned $8,000. Poochies Candy was fifth, earning $6,000. Two Two 22 finished sixth and collected $5,000. Flyingfooserageous was disqualified from sixth and placed seventh and earned $3,250. Aj Fast and Furious ran eighth for $3,000. Kash N Checks finished ninth and took home $2,500. Big Bang Rocket was tenth, earning $2,250.

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