Ruidoso Derby, Ruidoso Futurity highlight big weekend of quarter horse racing
A 3-year-old Lethal Avenger has been one of the top quarter horses in the country.
On Saturday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino, the Texas-bred son of Lethal Class aims to win the first leg of the Triple Crown for the 3-year-olds when he battles nine rivals in the $850,000, 400-yard Ruidoso Derby.
Lethal Avenger has won all three of his races this year, including the trial for the Ruidoso Derby on May 29. He also won the West Texas Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino on Feb. 5.
"Lethal Avenger is coming into his own and he's really matured, he's really come a long way in the past year," trainer Fred Danley said. "He's got great speed and he is a runner. He has a natural ability."
Lethal Avenger, who has won six of 10 starts and will be ridden by Noe Garcia, Jr., is the second favorite in the morning-line odds at 3-1 and will start from the No. 9 post position. KJ Desparado, who won last year's All American Futurity as a 2-year-old, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Wesley T. Giles trains KJ Desparado and Adrian Ramos will be aboard.
Also in the field is Muy Peligrosito, who has finished in the top three in six of seven stats and Mr Apollo Jess, who has won six of 10 starts.
"It's a great field and there are many talented 3-year-olds this year," Danley said. "If Lethal Avenger breaks good and gives his usual great effort, I feel good about his chances."
Ruidoso Futurity
The first leg of the Quarter Horse Triple Crown for the 2-year-old quarter horses certainly offers some intrigue.
Trainer Heath Taylor, who guided Empressum to wins in the Ruidoso and Rainbow Derbies last year, has two horses in Sunday's 350-yard final, which is worth $1 million.
Taylor will saddle Chasing AJ and Hes Judgeandjury. Chasing AJ is the second morning-line favorite at odds of 3-1.
He was a length and a half winner in his trial race on May 27 and qualified with a time of 17.797 seconds. Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo will ride Chasing AJ.
"Chasing AJ came along great leading up to the trials and he schooled great," Taylor said. "He's further along than I thought he would be at this point. I believe he will continue to improve, he's bred to go further and I think he'll continue to grow. Hes Judgeandjury is learning and getting better all the time. I like both horses, they are progressing well. It's a tough field, there are lots of good horses and every horse is talented."
The 5-2 morning-line favorite is Otts Boy, who has won twice in his young career and is trained by Toby Keeton and will be ridden by Ramon Sanchez.
Otts Boy, a two-year-old gelding homebred by his owner Luke Goebel, ran the fastest qualifying time on May 28,the second day of trials for the Ruidoso Futurity.
It was a second straight career win for the youngster named after Luke’s father Otto Goebel, who raced horses for decades and owned Otts Boy’s sire, Mr Ottyes. Otto passed away in 2014, and when the horse was born, Goegel's son Luke decided to name it in honor of his father.
“I knew this horse might be special when he was born,” said Luke after the May 28 trial. "He raised the horse on his ranch in Three Rivers, Texas. “We’ve never been in a stakes final like this before—this is a big deal to our family.”
Jackie's Warrior
Jackie's Warrior, owned by El Paso's Judy and Kirk Robison, will run in the $300,000 6 1/2 furlong True North Stakes race at Belmont Park in New York on Friday.
The 4-year-old Kentucky-bred is the 2-5 morning-line favorite and will face five rivals.
Jackie’s Warrior has won 10 of 14 career starts, including a pair of wins this year. He will stand stud at Kentucky’s Spendthrift Farm when he is retired from racing, which is expected to be this year.
More: Qualifiers for Ruidoso Derby, Futurity set to run June 11-12
Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.
Ruidoso Derby and Futurity finals
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino
Of note: The Ruidoso Derby for 3-year-old quarter horses will be Saturday and will be race No. 9. The Ruidoso Futurity for 2-year-old quarter horses will be Sunday and will be race No. 10. First post time each day is 1 p.m.
Ruidoso Derby Field
In Post position order with morning-line odds
1. Tommie Eagle (12-1); 2. Kiss The Cartel (10-1); 3. KJ Desparado (5-2); 4. Mr Apollo Jess (5-1); 5. Muy Peligrosito (5-1); 6. Six Shaker (20-1); 7. The Big Favorite (10-1); 8. Mperativ (6-1); 9. Lethal Avenger (3-1); 10 Double Duty (15-1).
Ruidoso Futurity Field
In Post position order with morning-line odds
1. Getthere Fast (8-1); 2. Lota Hot Mess (15-1); 3. Ride Around (15-1); 4. BV Higher Power (8-1); 5. Hes JudgeandJury (20-1); 6. Laveen Eagle (4-1); 7. Chasing AJ (3-1); 8. Otts Boy (5-2); 9. Beneficial (30-1); 10. Powerful (5-1)
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Ruidoso Derby, Futurity highlight weekend horse racing
