Real Runaway Price (22-1), under jockey Jacob Enriquez, upsets the $94,616 Ruidoso Maiden Stakes (not black type) on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 14, 2025—In a powerful closing rally down the lane, Real Runaway Rime (22-1) surged from mid-pack to score a convincing victory in Saturday’s $94,516 Ruidoso Maiden Stakes (not black type) at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.

The 3-year-old gray gelding stopped the clock in 17.497 seconds over a fast 350-yard strip, earning a 94 speed index against a crosswind of 7 mph.

Bred in New Mexico by Carlos Paez and Israel Bordier, Real Runaway Rime is a son of Rime Chimes out of the Jesse James Jr mare Runaway Leonarda. He is owned by Israel and Enrique Bordier, trained by Ismael Villalobos, and was ridden to victory by Jacob Enriquez. The victory netted the connections $39,697 from the stakes purse, boosting his earnings to more than $60,000.

Finishing three-quarters of a length back in second was Paradise Pete, a chestnut colt by leading thrid-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of Fire Specialist, by Walk Thru Fire.

The winning connections of Real Runaway Rime accept the Ruidoso Maiden Stakes trophy on Saturday at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino. © Coady Media

The Maryland-bred runner is owned and bred by Stephen Marshall Harris, trained by David Gomez-Barraza, and ridden by Luis Martinez. The runner-up effort was worth $17,013 and earned a 91 speed index. He has banked $37,101 in eight career starts.

Fly Girl 123 rounded out the trifecta for owner Heber Melendez. The 3-year-old filly, also by Flying Cowboy 123, is out of Miss Southern Dd, by FDD Dynasty. She was bred in Oklahoma by Sam W. Green and purchased for $30,000 at the 2024 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale.

Trained by Emilio Cadena, Jr. and ridden by Francisco Calderon, the filly clocked 17.626 seconds, earning $9,452 for third-place.

The official margins were ¾ length, neck, and head between the top three finishers.

The pari-mutuel payouts in the Ruidoso Maiden Stakes reflected the upset nature of the race, with longshot Real Runaway Rime returning $46.60 to win, $12.80 to place, and $8.00 to show. Second-choice Paradise Pete paid $4.20 to place and $3.40 to show, while Fly Girl 123 returned $7.20 to show.

The $1 exacta combination of 8-10 delivered a hefty $546.90, while the $1 trifecta (8-10-3) returned an eye-popping $7,517.70. Bettors who had the foresight to include "ALL" for fourth in the 10-cent superfecta (8-10-3-All) collected $392.14, underscoring the lucrative potential of the exotic wagers.

The also-rans in the 10-horse final included High Plains Jam (4th), First Cartel Powwer (5th), Eye Am Tempting (6th), Thrillah (7th), Fdd Jess Speed (8th), Flying Lil Sashay (9th), and Makin Him Famous (10th).

Track conditions were fast under cloudy skies and 88-degree temperatures.

Live racing at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino will return Sunday with 10 race card first post at 1:00 pm (MDT). The Grade 2 $350,000 Moutain Top QH Ne Mexico-Bred Futurity (Race 10) is the feature race.

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