Leading Flare, under jockey Alan Hernandez, winning the $65,357 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge at Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino on Saturday.

© Bailey Ivey / Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–AUGUST 19, 2023–Leading Flare raced to his first career stakes win on Saturday in the $65,357 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge at Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino.

With a strong finish under jockey Alan Hernandez, Leading Flare got up at the wire to defeat Big Dream Baby by a head. The son of multiple stakes sire Flare For Ivory clocked :19.962 over the 400 yards, equaling an 86 speed index with a 4 mph tailwind.

Trainer Wesley Giles saddled the South Dakota bred homebred to his third career win in five starts for owner Cheri Wardell.  Wardell Quarter Horses bred he chestnut gelding from the multiple stakes producing Special Leader mare Leadmetoyourladder.

Leading Flare used the $39,214 winner's purse today to increase his lifetime earnings to $70,814.  He also earned a starting spot in the October 27 Grade 2 $125,000-est. Adequan Derby Challenge Championship at Lone Star Park on Bank of America Challenge Championship Night.

Runner-up Big Dream Baby picked up $13,071 for second. Xavier Rodriguez conditions the Apollitical Jess filly for owner La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC. Juliana Hawn Holt bred the $115,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in Texas from the champion FDD Dynasty mare Kates Dynasty. Luis Martinez had the riding call.

A half-length back Innocenti earned $6,536 for finishing third. Owner-trainer Jesus E. Marquez named jockey Jaime Leos to ride the Duponte filly out of Jess A Sweetie by Apollitical Jess Bobby D. Cox bred the $21,436 earner in Texas.

Post time favorite and fastest qualifier R Lady Dynasty flipped in the gate prior to the start and was scratched.

Whirlaway Valentine, Sass Cartel, Wasting Light, Lethal Dragon, Jess A Good Candyman and Sug La Blue completed the field.