All American Derby field has different look since trials

The field for Sunday’s $1,237,604 All American Derby for Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs has changed significantly since time trials were run Aug. 19.

Dashnunder Afullmoon, who set the fastest qualifying time, was declared ineligible for the 440-yard final after failing a track-mandated hair follicle test for clenbuterol on Aug. 20, according to Ruidoso Downs president Jeff True.

The filly was trained by Josue Ponce, who was informed that week by Ruidoso Downs management that he was no longer welcome to operate at the New Mexico track after two horses he ran in the time trials were vanned off, including Fast Prize Rumor, who qualified for the final.

Fast Prize Rumor and PYC Fun N Fancy, a finalist previously trained by Ponce, are now trained by Jorge Gonzalez. Fast Prize Rumor was required to breeze 220 yards on Aug. 23 to be released from the veterinarian’s list after being vanned off.

The controversy has overshadowed what could be an outstanding race.

PYC Fun N Fancy, who drew the outside post, is the 7-2 favorite on the morning line. The colt won the Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park in June. The All American Derby trial was his first start of the year at Ruidoso Downs.

Fly Baby Fly and Hotstepper, first and third in the 2017 All American Futurity, qualified for the final. Hotstepper and Fly Baby Fly were first and second in a division of the trials.

Fly Baby Fly is winless in four starts this year, and is rated as an outsider in Sunday’s race. The filly has drawn the rail for trainer Trey Ellis.

Hotstepper, trained by Sleepy Gilbreath, was fourth in the Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs on July 21.

Hes Limitless, fourth in the 2017 All American Futurity and second in the Rainbow Derby, inherited the role of fastest qualifier after the dismissal of Dashnunder Afullmoon. Hes Limitless, trained by John Stinebaugh, was second to Dashnunder Afullmoon in the time trials.

Earlier on the Ruidoso Downs program, Political Attraction, who won the Rainbow Derby for Ponce, will start in the $200,000 All American Gold Cup at 440 yards against older horses. Political Attraction did not start in the All American Derby trials and was not nominated for the All American Derby. The gelding is now trained by Marcos Carrizales.

The leading Thoroughbred race at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday is the $135,378 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity for 2-year-old statebred fillies. The undefeated Lesstalkmoreaction, who has won two races by six lengths each, will be favored from the rail post.