Grade 1 Los Alamitos Oaks Winner Asscher Tops Grade 1 Rainbow Oaks Qualifiers at Ruidoso Downs
RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JULY 7, 2024–Grade 1 winner Asscher moved back into the win column on Sunday afternoon when she romped to a two-length victory and the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 1 $488,384 Rainbow QH Oaks presented by Rolling Still Vodka and Ponderosa Whiskey at Ruidoso Downs.
The 10 fastest from five 440-yard trial races contested today for 3-year-old fillies will return to the mountain-top racetrack on Sunday, July 21, to vie for a $203,021 winner's purse. The race was originally scheduled for July 14.
Ridden by jockey Christian Ramos, the recent $404,000 Los Alamitos Oaks(G1) winner completed the 440-yard task in 21.505 seconds, an 89-speed index with no wind.
Trainer Marc Jungers saddled the daughter of four-time world champion FDD Dynasty to her fifth career win in nine starts for owners Jimmy Barton and Lance Bland. The $6,000 trial purse payday boosted her lifetime earnings to $231,530.
"I think she has more in the tank," Jungers said. "Christian hand-rode her most of the way and we look forward to her coming back in the final."
Bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms from the champion Jesse James Jr mare Astica, Asscher was second in her previous start, a trial for the Ruidoso Derby(G1). She also won the Holiday Handicap at Los Alamitos and was a finalist in the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity at 2.
Grade 2-placed Tempting Barbie posted an impressive 1-1/2 length win under jockey Jose Enriquez in the fourth trial to garner the second-fastest time of 21.508 seconds, an 89-speed index with an 11 mph tailwind.
She entered today's trials off a "just-missed" effort in the Grade 2 $157,164 West Texas Derby at Sunland Park in her last start on March 2.
Marco Flores trains the daughter of champion Tempting Dash for owner Vista Del Sol, Inc. Tempting Barbie was bred in Oklahoma by William Smith from the Corona Cartel mare Itea, a sister to Rainbow Futurity(G1) winner Ms First Prize Rose and Remington Park Futurity winner Coronado Cartel.
The daughter of champion Tempting Dash is looking for some redemption after winning the Four Corners Futurity last year in her second career start. However, she was disqualified and placed last following a medication violation. She has won four of eight career starts, earned $63,808, and was a finalist in the Grade 3 La Fiesta Futurity at Albuquerque last fall.
Heritage Place Oaks(G2) runner-up Running To The Moon, under champion jockey Francisco Calderon, cruised to the third fastest clocking of 21.518 seconds, an 88-speed index into a 7 mph headwind in the third trial.
Trainer Heath Taylor saddled the daughter of champion First Moonflash to her fifth career win in nine starts for owner Valeriano Racing Stables LLC. Rancho El Cabresto Inc. bred the bay filly in California from the Apollitical Jess mare Apollitical Dasher. She has earned $83,194.
CLICK HERE for the 2024 Rainbow QH Oaks qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.
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Racing continues next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Ruidoso Downs, highlighted by the $1 million Rainbow Futurity for two-year-old quarter horses on Sunday. First post time each day is 12:30 p.m. (MDT).
