Curl Happy Wagon, under jockey Jesse Levairo, set the fastest time in Sunday’s opening trial for the $549,112 Grade 1 Rainbow Quarter Horse Oaks at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch.com

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 29, 2025—Curl Happy Wagon delivered a dominant performance on Sunday, at Ruidoso Downs, setting the fastest qualifying time among five trial heats for the $549,112 Grade 1 Rainbow Quarter Horse Oaks.

The 3-year-old filly blazed through 440 yards in 21.042, a 105-speed index into a 15-mph crosswind under steady urging from jockey Jesse Lee Levario, securing her place atop the qualifiers list for the July 12 final.

Owned by Jackpot Farm and trained by Ricardo G. Armendariz, Jr., Curl Happy Wagon left no doubt of her superiority, drawing clear by 1-1/2 lengths over fellow qualifier Apolitical Chilitas.

 At Wagon mare Curls Happy Wagon and was bred by Herd Ranch/Michael Herd. She was a $290,000 purchase from the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Apolitical Chilitas, under jockey Mauro Salcedo, posted the second fastest time in the opening trial. © Coady Media

Apolitical Chilitas, second in the same trial, posted the second-fastest overall time of 21.263. The bay filly is by leading sire Apollitical Jess and out of Mary Me Anna by Game Patriot. She was fourth in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Oaks three races back.  

 Apolitical Chilitas races for Licon Farm and Ranch LLC and was bred in Oklahoma by Omar Paredes. Mauro Salcedo was aboard for trainer Luis C. Rojero. The filly was a $100,000 acquisition at the 2023 Ruidoso Select Sale.

The third-fastest qualifier, Hott Temptation, claimed her trial by a half-length in 21.278. The Texas-bred filly is by Tempting Dash out of the accomplished Pandorum by Tres Seis.

She is trained by Rodolfo G. Valles for Reliance Ranches LLC and was ridden by Justine Klaiber. Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP bred the $190,000 Ruidoso Select Sale graduate. She won the La Pacifica Handicap at Los Alamitos in her previous start.

Hott Temptation, under jockey Justine Klaiber, winning the fourth trial to get the third fastest time. © Coady Media

The ten fastest qualifiers from the trials will return for the prestigious Grade 1 final on Saturday, July 12, where they will compete for a $237,610  winner’s share of the $549,112 purse.

The field, composed of elite 3-year-old Quarter Horse fillies, will once again contest 440 yards at Ruidoso Downs in what promises to be a thrilling showdown. CLICK HERE for a list, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

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