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RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JULY 19, 2024–Two-time AQHA Racing Champion and AQHA Supreme Race Horse Kj Desparado returned to action after the six-month layoff today to post an impressive 1-1/4 length victory in a 400-yard allowance race at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.

Under regular rider Adrian Ramos, Kj Desparado completed the distance in 19.757 seconds, an 88-speed index into an 11 mph headwind. He led from gate-to-wire. Flashin The Ivory was second, with I Dee Udas Ka Sudas finished a neck back in third.

It was his first start since a fifth-place effort in the Grade 1 $350,000 Champions at Sunland Park on January 5.

Before that start, the 2021 All-American Futurity(G1) winner capped off his 2023 campaign with a win in the Grade 1 Refrigerator Championship at Lone Star Park on November 18. He also won the Grade 1 All American Gold Cup at Ruidoso Downs on September 4 and was second in the Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship (G1).

Wesley Giles trains the 5-year-old son of leading sire Apollitical Jess for owners John Lee, Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares. L&I Land & Cattle bred the brown gelding in Arizona from the Tres Seis mare Tres Veses. Kj Desparado has won 16 of 24 starts and earned $3,084,289.

His connections look to be on the same path this season as they did last year, when KJ Desparado made his 2023 debut with an Allowance win at Ruidoso Downs on August 5 before winning the All American Gold Cup on Labor Day weekend.

The 2024 Grade 1 $250,000 All American Gold Cup, Kj Desparado's probable next start, will run on Monday, September 2, Labor Day.

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Live racing returns to Ruidoso Downs on Saturday, July 20, with a 12-race card with six stakes headed by the Grade 1 $796,229 Rainbow Derby. The first post is at 12:30 p.m. (MDT).