Millionaire Kj Bad Moon Rising will return to track on Sunday when he heads a loaded card for the $850,000-est. Ruidoso QH Derby(G1) trials at Ruidoso Downs.

© Coady Media

By David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—May 21, 2025—A full day of 400-yard trials on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs will determine the ten fastest qualifiers for the $850,000 Grade 1 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Derby, set for Saturday, June 7.

The trial fields feature some of the sport’s most accomplished 3-year-olds, including multiple futurity winners and Grade 1 finalists.

KJ Bad Moon Rising — Race 2, Post 4

The richest horse in the trials is KJ Bad Moon Rising, who has banked $1,087,703 from eight starts with four wins. A son of Kj Mucho Macho Man out of KJ Kiss Me Goodbye, he captured the New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG2) and was a narrow runner-up in the All American Futurity (G1). Bred and owned by John and Kathy Lee, he is trained by Wesley T. Giles and will be ridden by Christian Ramos.

Lethal Cowboy 123 — Race 8, Post 2

Lethal Cowboy 123 nearly won the All American Futurity (G1), finishing second by a nose. By Apollitical Jess out of Lethal Class, the gelding has won 3 of 8 starts and earned $1,071,504. He is trained by Marc Jungers and will break from post 2 in race 8 with Edwin Escobedo aboard.

FDD Dreams — Race 7, Post 3

A standout last year, FDD Dreams scored a career-defining victory in the Texas Classic Futurity (G1) at Lone Star Park. The FDD Dynasty gelding, out of One Famous Rock Star, has earned $721,809 with 4 wins from 7 starts and a top speed index of 116. He will break from post 3 in race 7 for trainer Xavier Rodriguez and jockey Luis Martinez.

Painted Eclispe — Race 1, Post 6

Painted Eclispe comes into the trials with $443,753 in earnings, 4 wins from 8 starts, and a 98 speed index. The Pyc Paint Your Wagon gelding won the West Texas Futurity (G2) and was a finalist in the Texas Classic Futurity (G1). Owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Ray Willis, he is trained by Xavier Rodriguez and will be ridden by Luis Martinez.

Brown Coffeee — Race 9, Post 1

A four-time winner from 9 starts, Brown Coffeee captured the Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1) earlier this year, earning a 98 speed index in the process. The Good Reason SA gelding, out of Amore La Blue, has earned $394,379. He is trained by Dean Frey and will be ridden by Bryan Candanosa for a partnership led by Monte and Katsy Cluck, and Ross Roark.

Hard to Politic — Race 5, Post 6

Runner-up in the Texas Classic Futurity (G1), Hard to Politic has finished first or second in all 5 of his starts, with 2 wins and earnings of $254,798. The Apollitical Jess gelding is out of Hardtoget and is trained by Cristian Alcala for owners JSM Quarter Horses LLC and Alcala Ranch LLC. Juan Pulido has the mount.

Electrifying Cowboy — Race 9, Post 8

Electrifying Cowboy, by Flying Cowboy 123, enters with $130,162 in earnings from 3 wins in 9 starts. The gelding, out of Corona Cerveza, earned a 104 speed index and was competitive in All American trials. He will start from post 8 in race 9 for trainer Ramon Mendoza, with Luis Flores-Garcia in the irons. Owners include Tungsten Racing Partnership and Ronald L. Sugamosto.

The ten fastest times from Sunday’s card will qualify for the Grade 1 final on Saturday, June 7, at Ruidoso Downs. With multiple Grade 1 winners and top earners in the mix, this year's Derby field is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

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The Ruidoso Downs race card for Monday, May 26, 2025, features a full slate of Quarter Horse racing with first post time at 1:00 p.m. (MT), highlighted by the $45,000 John Andreini Memorial Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 350 yards.

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