Kiss The Cartel (inside), under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, winning the $46,844 Q-Racing Video Ruidoso Distaff Challenge at Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino on Sunday.

© Bailey Ivey / Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–AUGUST 20, 2023–Grade 1-placed Kiss The Cartel got her first career stakes win on Sunday when she defeated post time favorite Pops First Lady in the $46,844 Q-Racing Video Ruidoso Distaff Challenge at Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino.

Under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, Kiss The Cartel drifted out from the inside rail while posting :19.847 seconds for the 400 yards with a 12 mph tailwind. Trainer Trey Wood saddled the Kiss My Hocks filly to her fifth career win from 15 starts.

Racing of Lonnie Horwood and Kody Horwood, Kiss The Cartel earned $21,548 to boost her bankroll to $211,342.  Bred in Oklahoma by Flag Ranch LLC, Kiss The Cartel was second in the Rainbow Oaks(G1) and third in the Ruidoso QH Derby(G1) last year.

Her win today also earns a starting spot in the October 27 Grade 1 $100,000-est. Q-Racing Video Distaff Challenge Championship at Lone Star Park on Bank of America Challenge Championship Night.

Runner-up Pops First Lady earned $9,359 for her effort. Robi Meche trains the Apollitical Jess mare for owner Ruse Ranch, LLC. Bryan Candanosa had the riding call aboard the multiple graded stakes winner out of Shazooms Pop Pop by Shazoom.

Bred in Texas by Gary Kurz and Double M Racing the sorrel mare has earned $320,412. She won the 2022 Junos Request Stakes(G1) and the Easy Date Stakes(G3) at Remington Park.

Graded stakes-placed Shesa Relentless Gal finished one-length back to earn $4,684 for third. Manuel Rodriguez trains the 4-year-old for owner Elva Rodriguez. Flag Ranch, LLC bred the Hes Relentless filly in Oklahoma from the Corona Cartel mare A Snow Cartel. She has earned $145,258 in 17 starts.

Kiss the Cartel paid $12.60, $4.00 and $2.80.

Sweet Dasha Fire, Dedikated, Mperativ, Frivoliti, Got Some Gone, Apolitical Sass and Luv My Five Bar completed the field.