RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 27, 2015—In the $52,650 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge, trainer Blane Wood saw fastest-qualifier Jess Swanky scratched behind the gate, but the trainer still got to the winner’s circle when Great Grace held on to defeat a late closing Whosa Kat by neck at Ruidoso Downs Saturday afternoon.

The Joe Badilla Jr.-ridden Great Grace covered the sloppy 400 yards in :19.708.

El Rayito de Luna was one-half length behind Whosa Kat for third.

Owned by George Mitchell along with Bobby and Laura Mitchell, Great Grace raced to her first win since taking her Dash For Cash Futurity trial back in September. She was then moved up to third in the Dash For Cash Futurity after the winner was subsequently disqualified.

The victory also secured Great Grace a starting spot in the Grade 2 $200,000 Guaranteed Adequan Derby Challenge Championship on November 7 at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

This spring, the daughter of leading second crop sire Apollitical Jess qualified for the $306,000 Oklahoma-bred Derby at Remington Park. Geo H. Suthers bred the sorrel miss in Oklahoma from the Shazoom mare Reloaded And Ready.

Whosa Kat is a son of Red Storm Cat from the Corona Cartel mare Whosleaving Corona. The Florida homebred races for owner/breeders Buddy and Patty Newsom. Russell Harris saddled with Jimmy Brooks getting the riding call. Whosa Kat earned $10,530 to nearly double his earnings mark to $27,430.

El Rayito de Luna, a graded stakes winning son of Red Storm Cat, boosted his bankroll to nearly $65,000 after pocketing $5,265 for third. Juventino Ruiz trains the colt out of Fly On The Mountain, by Panther Mountain, for Refugio Lune. Ridden by Jaime Leos, El Rayito de Luna was bred in Texas by Hector and Leticia Luna.

Tempting Valor, Coronas Dawn, Miss Racy Fire, He Is The Risingstar, Ms Dancing Straw and Take Off Nolan completed the field. As mentioned above, fastest qualifier Jess Swanky was a late scratch.

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