StallioneSearch.com

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JULY 6, 2024–Following a week's delay, Ruidoso Downs hosted eight trials for the Grade 1 $769,229 Ruidoso Derby.

The 10 fastest 3-year-old qualifiers from eight 440-yard trial races contested today will return to the mountain-top racetrack on Saturday, July 20, to vie for a $334,516 winner's purse. The race was originally scheduled for July 13.

The lone filly that dared to take on the boys didn't disappoint!

Last year's champion 2-year-old filly Dark NME made her 3-year-old debut in the third trial. The daughter of leading sire Hes Relentless broke alertly under champion jockey Francisco Calderon. She quickly drew off by 1-3/4 lengths to secure the third-fastest time of 21.636 seconds, an 86-speed index into a 9 mph headwind.

"First time out this year, going 440 yards is tough on a horse, especially a filly. She ran really well; I didn't want to bother her. She did everything great," Calderon said.

All other Rainbow-eligible fillies opted for Sunday's $483,384 Rainbow QH Oaks trials for females only.

Trainer Romeo Mireles saddled Dark NME to her ninth career win in 10 starts for owner TYKHE Racing LLC.

Last season, the filly won the Rainbow Futurity(G1), Texas Classic Futurity(G1), and Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Futurity(RG1). After a troubled start, her lone loss came in the $3-million All-American Futurity(G1) where she finished third to Cowboys Gun Z and Trane Station V.

Bred in Oklahoma by L Hendrix Horses LLC from the Spit Curl Jess mare Quions, Dark NME has earned $1,565,452.

A couple of males who hope to give Dark NME a run for the money are stablemates Visa and Shoeless.

Saddled by leading trainer Toby Keeton, AllAmerican Juvenile winner Visa scored his fourth consecutive win in the final trial to get the fastest qualifying time of 21.584 seconds, an 87-speed index with no wind.

Leading jockey Bryan Candanosa had the riding call for owners Simmons Racing, Wootan Racing, and Roger Beasley.

"That horse (Visa) loves the distance; the further he goes, the better he gets," Candanosa said.

Simmons Racing bred the Corona Cartel colt in Texas from the stakes-winning Will Take Charge thoroughbred mare Cashcheckorchage. Visa has won five of seven career starts and earned $117,620.

Candanosa also rode Shoeless, an Arkansas-bred son of four-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty, to a 2-3/4 length victory in the fourth trial to get the second-fastest clocking of 21.596, an 87-speed index into a 9 mph headwind.

Keeton saddled Shoeless to his fourth win in six career starts for owner Griffin Tiff Partnership. He entered the trials off an allowance win at Sam Houston on May 24. A finalist in the All American Juvenile last summer, he was bred by Corner K Quarter Horses LLC from the Apollitical Jess mare Political Chick.

CLICK HERE for the 2024 Rainbow QH Derby qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Racing continues on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs with trials for the $400,000 (est) Rainbow Oaks presented by Rolling Still Vodka and Ponderosa Whiskey. First post is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. (MDT).