RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 24, 2021—Coming off a win in last month's Grade 1 Ruidoso QH Derby and a 400 yard Ruidoso track record in the trials, Empressum continued to dominate his age group with a 1-½ length win over stablemate and last year's champion 2-Year-Old colt Dulce Sin Tacha in the Grade 1 $678,253 Rainbow QH Derby at Ruidoso Downs today (Saturday).

Under a vigorous hand ride from jockey Rodrigo Vallejo, Empressum completed the 440 yards in :21.131 seconds, a 102 speed index into a 11 mph headwind. It was the sixth consecutive win for the son of leading sire Apollitical Jess from the First Down Dash mare Crazy Down Corona.

Bettors made Empressum nearly an even-money favorite at post time. The gelding paid $4.60, $3.20 and $2.60.

Trainer M. Heath Taylor conditions the sorrel gelding for owner-breeders Jeff Jones and Steve Holt. After an injury troubled 2-year-old season that included an eighth-place finish in the Rainbow Futurity(G1), Empressum has now won the Rainbow QH Derby(G1), Ruidoso QH Derby(G1) and the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby(RG2) in 2021.

"This is why you are in the game," Taylor said in the winner’s circle. "You don’t do it necessarily for the money, but for the chance to participate and be competitive in races like this Derby. I think the public who came to the races today will remember this horse and his performance on the race track, and it’s a privilege to be associated with a horse like this."

Today's $284,866 winners' purse pushed his earnings mark to $790,491 from a (13) 10-0-0 record.

"We’ve watched this horse develop from the time he was born to now, and we knew he was something extra special from the beginning," Holt said. "This is what makes our dreams come true—to be a part of this horse’s success."

Next stop could be the All American Derby(G1) in September, where a win would make Empressum only the third 3-year-old in history to win the Ruidoso Triple Crown.

Bob and Jerry Gaston's champion 2-year-old colt Dulce Sin Tacha suffered his first loss this year but still picked up $122,086 for his second-place effort.

Also trained by Taylor, the son of leading second-crop sire Jess Good Candy has earned $650,089 off seven wins in nine career starts. He won the Texas Classic Futurity(G1) and was runner-up in the All American Juvenile last year.

Champion jockey James Flores was aboard the Texas-bred out of Prissy Sin Tacha by Tempting Dash.

Joe Dee Brooks, Scott Bryant and Norman Allen's A Dangerous Flash finished half-a-length back to earn $67,285 for third. Winner of the $100,000 Ruidoso QH Invitational two races back, the son of champion sire First Moonflash is trained by Todd W. Fincher.

Adrian Ramos rode the Colorado-bred gelding out of Flame N Flash by Walk Thru Fire. Aude and Kay Williams bred the $144,419 earner.

After a troubled start, fastest qualifier Candy Blood finished fourth followed by Shott Gun, Apolliticalfastprize, Mister Illusion, Troubleshooting, Flash Bak and Steal The Candy.

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Rainbow weekend continues at Ruidoso Downs Sunday afternoon with the running of the $1 million Rainbow Futurity for two-year-olds along with the $100,000 Rainbow Juvenile and the $40,000 Mr Jett Moore Handicap. First post on Sunday is 1 p.m., and more information is available at raceruidoso.com.