Political Twist, under jockey Luis Martinez, dominated the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Ruidoso QH Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino on Sunday.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 8, 2025—Political Twist, an undefeated 2-year-old gelding by leading sire Apollitical Jess, captured the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.

Covering the 350 yards in 17.301 seconds with a speed index of 99 into an eight-mile headwind, the New Mexico-bred runner earned $420,000 for the victory.

Owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Ray Willis, and trained by Xavier Rodriguez, Political Twist was ridden by Luis Martinez. He was purchased for $150,000 at the 2024 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Bred by MJ Farms, he is out of C Twister Seis by Tres Seis.

"It’s hard to express my feelings of joy right now," Martinez said through a translator in the winner’s circle. "The horse reacted to everything with ease—nothing seems to bother his professional attitude and going about his business."

After posting the fastest qualifying time in the May 23 trials, Political Twist scored his first Grade 1 winning effort from the West Texas Futurity(G2) finals in April at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. Today's winning purse boosted his earnings mark to $603,017.

Political Twist gets a well-deserved kiss from co-owner Javier Rodriguez. © Coady Media

Russ Gus, also by Apollitical Jess, finished second, earning $180,000 for owner Daniel G. Miranda. Bred by Mark and Fay Annett McCloy, he was ridden by Francisco Calderon and also trained by Rodriguez.

He sold for $160,000 at the 2024 Heritage Place Yearling Sale and has now banked $186,000 in two career starts. Russ Gus is out of the Tres Seis mare Rocket Seis.

AJ Remember Me, a $120,000 Heritage Place yearling by Apollitical Jess, made it a tri-fecta for his sire by finishing third. Owned by Corinna Sosa, trained by Cristian Alcala, and ridden by jockey Juan Pulido, he earned $100,000.

Grade 1 winner Political Twist with jockey Luis Martinez and trainer Xavier Rodriguez returns to the Ruidoso QH Futurity winner's circle on Sunday. © Coady Media

Rancho El Cabresto Inc. bred the colt in California from the Tres Seis mare Remember Robyn. He has compiled a (3) 2-0-1 record after breaking his maiden at Remington Park in March and winning his trial heat. He has earned $117,865.

The Apollitical Jess cross on Tres Sies mares continues to be magical. It has produced some of the industry's best runners like all-time leading money earner Kj Desparado ($3,348,007 to 6, 2025), and Champion of Champions(G1) winner Apollitical Pence ($1,867,319).

The remaining order of finish with earnings were Apolitical Valor 4th-$80,000; Preying N Sinning 5th-$60,000; Jess Cartel 6th-$50,000; 7th-$32,500.

Three qualifiers were scratched—Allegiant Air, scratched by his trainer, Dee Favorite Tacha, and Famous N Relentless—both were scratched at the gate. Each horse received $25,833.

Sunday’s Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1) delivered a true stakes-level spectacle. With the Rainbow Futurity(G1) trials on the horizon, Political Twist has stamped himself as a possible Triple Crown contender for 2025.

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