Political Twist, winner of the Ruidoso Futurity-G1, plans to skip the Rainbow Futurity trials, targeting the All American.

© Coady Media

By Greg Thompson, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM – JUNE 11, 2025—Political Twist, the impressive winner of the 2025 Ruidoso Futurity (G1), is not expected to participate in the upcoming Rainbow Futurity (G1) trials scheduled for the July 4th weekend at Ruidoso Downs, according to co-owner Javier Rodriguez.

The Apollitical Jess gelding, co-owned by Ray Willis and La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC and trained by Xavier Rodriguez, delivered an impressive performance at the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) on Sunday, June 8, 2025. This outstanding two-year-old, who has emerged as the leading contender for the year, previously won the West Texas Futurity (G2) at Sunland Park in April, prior to posting the fastest time in the Ruidoso Futurity trials for the second day of qualifying.

The Quarter Horse racing industry was buzzing after Hezgothelook Z won all three major summer futurities at Ruidoso Downs and The Downs at Albuquerque in 2024. It seems unlikely that we will see a repeat of that success in this year's Triple Crown campaign. Meanwhile, the connections of Political Twist have indicated that the standout colt will likely skip the Rainbow trials due to strategic considerations.

“He's already won two graded stakes futurities in a matter of two months for us and we couldn't be more proud of him,” said owner Javier Rodriguez. “At this point, we want to keep him sound, and get him to the trials of the All American (Futurity) happy and healthy. We feel it’s the smart route to take to give him little time rather than push him through another set of trials so soon for the Rainbow (Futurity)."

The Rainbow Futurity, which features a $1 million purse, is the second leg of the prestigious Quarter Horse Triple Crown at Ruidoso Downs. However, it hasn't often equated to serving as a springboard to glory in the classic event of the All American Futurity (G1) on Labor Day. Since 2008, only Stolis Winner ('08), Whistle Stop Café ('20), and Hezgothelook Z ('24) have been victorious in both the Rainbow and the All American Futurities. 

Political Twist's performance in the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) has established him as one of the top two-year-olds in the country, if not the best. He remains undefeated in four lifetime starts, with earnings totaling $603,017, including the West Texas Futurity (G1) and the Ruidoso Futurity (G1).

Political Twist was a $150,000 purchase from the MJ Farms consignment in the 2024 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale for owners La Feliz Montana Ranch, LLC. He is out of C Twister Seis by Tres Seis.

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