La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC's Grade 1 winner Fdd Dreams has been set as the 5-2 morning line favorite for Saturday's $850,000 Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.

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By StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE 2, 2025–The $850,000 Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby will take center stage at Ruidoso Downs on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Run at 400 yards for three-year-old Quarter Horses, the race features ten finalists who earned their spots by clocking the fastest times in the May 25 trial heats.

The Derby showcases a stellar group led by standout runners Fdd Dreams, Stetsonn, and Daou—each arriving with strong credentials and high expectations.

Fdd Dreams, the 5-2 morning line favorite, enters the Ruidoso Derby as the most accomplished runner in the field. The son of four-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty out of Treasured Dreams, by Apollitical Jess, was bred in New Mexico by his owners, La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC.

Trained by Xavier E. Rodriguez and ridden by Luis Martinez, Fdd Dreams boasts six wins in ten starts and career earnings of $876,801.

He turned heads last fall with a determined victory in the Texas Classic Futurity (G1) at Lone Star Park and returned this season with a powerhouse performance in his Derby trial, cruising to a 1¼-length win in 19.75.

Already a three-time winner at Ruidoso, he is a major threat to add another Grade 1 title to his resume.

Stetsonn, listed at 7-2 on the morning line, is another serious contender with momentum on his side. Bred and owned by champion jockey G.R. Carter Jr. and his wife Shaena Carter of Oklahoma, the gelding by Jess Good Candy out of Stella Lou (by One Famous Eagle) is trained by Dean Frey and will be ridden by Bryan Candanosa.

Stetsonn has won four of six career starts, including a gritty trial score in which he outdueled Daou by a nose, stopping the clock in 19.95. He also contested the Grade 1 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby earlier this spring, showing he can compete at the highest level.

Daou, the 9-2 third choice on the morning line, brings a wealth of experience and consistent form into the Derby.

Trained by Fred I. Danley and ridden by Christian Cardenas, the gelding was bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms and campaigns for owners J & SM, Inc.

By FDD Dynasty and out of Donelli, a daughter of Big Daddy Cartel, Daou has compiled a record of two wins and seven seconds from eleven starts with earnings just shy of $100,000.

He was a $270,000 purchase at the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale and has proven his value, finishing a close second in both his Derby trial and the Grade 3 West Texas Derby earlier this year. His consistency and experience make him a dangerous player in this deep field.

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Ruidoso Derby - G1 • Ruidoso Downs, NM
Race 10 - June 7, 2025  - 4:54 (MDT) est. post

Post time for the Ruidoso Derby is set for 4:54 PM Mountain on Saturday, and the race serves as the 10th on the card. With high-caliber horses, top connections, and a lucrative purse on the line, the 2025 edition of the Ruidoso Derby promises a fast and dramatic finish.

$100,000 Ruidoso Invitational Stakes (Race 8)

The $100,000 Ruidoso Invitational Stakes, set as Race 8 on Saturday’s card at Ruidoso Downs, will go off at approximately 4:02 PM MDT.

The 400-yard dash is open to three-year-olds who competed in the Ruidoso Derby trials but did not qualify for the finals, with preference given to the ten fastest non-qualifiers. It offers a valuable second chance at stakes glory for a deep group of contenders.

Installed as the 4-1 morning line favorite is Poochies Candy, trained by Trey Wood and to be ridden by Ricky Ramirez. The gelded son of champion Jess Good Candy was second in his Derby trial on May 25, finishing just a neck behind Kj Born to Be Wild while earning an 82 speed index. A two-time winner from five career starts with earnings of $94,000, Poochies Candy figures to be tough with a clean trip

The Ruidoso Invitational field in post position order is as follows: (1) Haughty Vaquero – 6-1, (2) Jess Sonny D – 15-1, (3) Big Bang Rocket – 15-1, (4) Aj Fast and Furious – 8-1, (5) Kash N Checks – 20-1, (6) Two Two 22 – 12-1, (7) Flyingfooserageous – 8-1, (8) Painted Eclispe – 5-1, (9) Holy Pete – 9-2, (10) Poochies Candy – 4-1, and (11) All About Fire (also-eligible) – 20-1.

All Ruidoso Downs races can been seen on Q-Racing Video.

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