Grade 2 West Texas Futurity winner Political Twist, under jockey Luis Martinez, dominated his trial by 2-1/2 lengths to set the fastest qualifying time for the $1,000,000 Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1).

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE 3, 2025–Ten of the nation’s top 2-year-old Quarter Horses are set to square off in Sunday’s Grade 1, $1,000,000 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Futurity, the first leg of the Ruidoso Downs Triple Crown.

Headlined by the undefeated Political Twist, the 350-yard dash will go as Race 10 with a scheduled post time of 5:10 p.m. MST.

The 5-2 morning-line favorite, Political Twist, is undefeated in three starts and boasts the highest speed index in the field (98). Trained by Xavier Rodriguez for owners La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and B. Ray Willis, the gelded son of leading sire Apollitical Jess has won each outing with increasing authority.

He debuted March 16 at Sunland Park, drawing away by 1-3/4 lengths. He followed with a sharp victory in the $365,000 Grade 2 West Texas Futurity at Sunland on April 5, prevailing over a strong field by a three-quarters.

Most recently, he dominated his May 23 trial by 2-1/2 lengths in 17.629, the fastest qualifier on day 1.

Bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms, Political Twist is out of C Twister Seis, a daughter of Tres Seis, and was purchased for $150,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Luis Martinez retains the mount. He has banked $183,017 in his short career.

Second choice at 7-2 is Dee Favorite Tacha, a lightly raced prospect who impressed in his career debut by posted the fastest qualifying time on day 2.

Dee Favorite Tacha, under jockey Jesse Levario, breaks his maiden in his career debut to set the fastest time on day 2 of the Ruidoso QH Futurity trials. © Coady Media

Owned by Ricardo G. Armendariz Jr. and Eric Pineda, the gelding was a $25,000 Ruidoso Select yearling purchase. He made a striking first impression on May 24, leading gate to wire in a 17.815 trial victory.

Bred in Oklahoma by The Mixer Ranch, the son of leading first-crop sire Dulce Sin Tacha is out of the Favorite Cartel mare Dee Favorite Girl. Also trained by Armendariz Jr., Dee Favorite Tacha will be ridden again by Jesse Levario.

Dee Favorite Tacha's third dam, Run The Dash, is a former broodmare of the year who produced AQHA Racing world champion Blues Girl Too.

Third on the morning line at 5-1, Apolitical Valor brings valuable experience and a pair of wins from four career starts. Racing for MJR Investments, Ltd., the Oklahoma-bred son of Apollitical Jess debuted with a strong third-place finish March 16 at Remington Park before breaking his maiden on March 30.

Apolitical Valor, under jockey Jacob Enriquez, was a 1-1/2 length trial winner on day 1 of the Ruidoso QH Futurity trials.
© Coady Media

He posted a decisive trial victory at Ruidoso on May 23 to win by 1-1/2 lengths, clocking 17.830, the second fastest on day 1. He also competed in the restricted Grade 3 Laico Bird Stakes at Remington in April, finishing fifth after a troubled trip.

Out of Belle of Valor by Valiant Hero, Apolitical Valor was bred by Canadian River QH LLC and brought $50,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Trained by Clinton Crawford, he’ll be reunited with Jacob Enriquez, who was aboard for the trial win.

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The remainder of the field features a mix of accomplished runners and rising prospects.

Jess Cartel Blue (8-1), a homebred gelding by Jess Louisiana Blue for owner-breeder Pete A. Scarmardo, comes off a strong trial win for trainer John Stinebaugh and jockey Ali Rivera.

AJ Remember Me (10-1), an undefeated $120,000 Heritage Place purchase by leading sire Apollitical Jess, represents owner Corinna M. Sosa and high-percentage trainer Cristian Alcala, with Juan Pulido aboard.

Russ Gus (9-1), a $160,000 Heritage Place yearling by Apollitical Jess, delivered an impressive debut win for owner Daniel G. Miranda, trainer Xavier Rodriguez, and rider Francisco Calderon.

Trained by Jason Olmstead is the undefeated Famous N Relentless (15-1), who will look to extend his perfect record under Ramiro Garcia for the partnership of Tom Maher and Amber Olmstead. The son of leading sire Hes Relentless won the $100,000 Remington Park Juvenile two races back.

West Texas Juvenile winner Preying N Sinning (15-1), a Texas-bred by Dulce Sin Tacha, enters with two wins from three starts for trainer Alberto Amparan, owner 93 Ranch, and jockey Christian Cardenas.

Rounding out the field is Allegiant Air (20-1), a $100,000 Ruidoso Select Sale purchase by Favorite Cartel, representing owner Norman W. Allen, trainer S. Trey Wood, and rider Ruben Castro, as well as stablemate Lareda (30-1), the race’s top-priced auction graduate at $300,000, who will break from the outside post under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez for owners E. Gene and Tod Bradley.

With several unbeaten juveniles and big-ticket yearlings entered, Sunday’s Ruidoso QH Futurity promises to be a high-stakes showdown that could begin to shape the early championship picture for 2025.

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

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