River Flash, under jockey Emilio Tapia, winning the $162,848 Mountain Top NM Bred QH Derby(RG3) at Ruidoso Downs Saturday.

© Bailey Ivey / Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE 18, 2022–River Flash raced to his third consecutive win on Saturday when he posted a 1-1/2 length win the in the $162,848 Mountain Top NM Bred QH Derby(RG3) at Ruidoso Downs.

River Flash broke out at the start under jockey Emilio Tapia but still won handily while completing the 350 yards in :17.489 seconds, a 94 speed index into an 11 mph headwind on a "muddy" racing surface.

"Once he got going he had another gear," jockey Emilio Tapia said in the winner’s circle. "This time he was more calm in the gate than before and he showed that he wants 440-yards later."

Trainer Wesley Giles was saddled the son of multiple stakes sire Chicks Regard to his fifth career win in nine starts for owner Robert Driggers and Ben Ivey. Bred by Ivey Cattle Co, from the First Moonflash mare Riverside Flash, River Flash used the $68,396 Mountain Top winner's purse to boost his bankroll to $180,980.
The gray gelding began his three-trace win streak on April 24^th with he scored in the New Mexico Breeders Stakes(RG3) at SunRay Park. Last season River Flash won the New Mexico State Fair Juvenile at Albuquerque.

River Flash paid paid $7.00, $4.00 and $3.00 and will now be pointed toward the Zia QH Derby laster this season.

Runner-up Daddies Wish races for owners Julie Schoenhofer and Maricela Vasquez. Eric Valenzuela trains the daughter of leading New Mexico sire Big Daddy Cartel from the Stel Corona mare Wish You Had One To. Sergio Becerra, Jr. was riding.

Third in last year's New Mexico Classic Futurity(RG2), Daddies Wish used the $29,313 second-place Mountain Top payday to increase her earnings total to $127,920.  MJ Farms is the breeder.

Classy Moon, a Grade 2 placed son of multiple stakes sire First Mooonflash, finished a neck back to earn $16,285 for third. Fred Danley conditions the home bred from the Now I Know mare Shez Classy Now for owners Sissie and Bob McClure. Classy Moon has earned $58170 in 11 career starts.

Day Thuggin, Big Crush Bb, Legende, Run Time, Lmg First Call, Flashing The Ivory and Hunky McGoo completed the field.

Ruidoso Downs will offer a 10 race card on Sunday (June 19) headed by the $341,362 Mountain Top QH Futurity(RG2) and the $50,000 Mountain Top QH Juvenile. First post is 1:00 pm (MDT).