All American Futurity: Jes an Angel more than paying her way

Jes an Angel has earned her way. Owner and trainer Lance Moore said the 2-year-old filly was supplemented to last month’s trials for the $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs at a cost of $50,000 because she earned the opportunity – in more ways than one.

“She’s really done a good job leading up to this point – [she’s earned] $100,000,” Moore said. “The last couple of races that we’d seen out of her, we thought she earned the right. So, we gave her a chance to spend a little of her money and go for the big show.”

The All American Futurity is the centerpiece of the Ruidoso meet that closes Monday. The field for the 440-yard classic for Quarter Horses was determined over two cards of time trials, with 305 horses vying for 10 spots in the starting gate.

Jes an Angel produced the fastest overall qualifying time. She led all comers on the first day of trials Aug. 19, when she covered 440 yards in the slop in 21.25 seconds. Jes an Angel is now 5 for 7 after winning her first-ever start at Ruidoso.

“From the time we brought her from Texas to Monday, it will be eight weeks,” Moore said. “We brought her up July 5, let her get acclimated and get used to the track. She’s matured, from what we can see. She’s gone from being a little teenage girl to a woman. She’s really changed her demeanor over the course of two months.”

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Jes an Angel was a $10,000 auction purchase at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City, said Moore, a 54-year-old native of Midlothian, Texas. She started her career at Louisiana Downs, won the Old South Futurity at Delta Downs, and raced at Sam Houston Race Park before the trip to Ruidoso.

Bryan Candanosa has the mount from post 8.

Doing Something Good ranked as the fastest qualifier on the second day of trials, winning in 21.42 seconds on a sloppy track. He romped by 3 3/4 lengths in the first of the day’s 16 trials to improve his record to 3 for 7. Noe Garcia Jr. has the mount from post 3 for J & SM Inc. and trainer Fred Danley.

Trainer Heath Taylor will counter with Chasing Aj, who was a finalist for both the Ruidoso and Rainbow futurities, and Hes Judgeandjury, who was third in the Rainbow.

“I think Hes Judgeandjury is a more mentally mature horse to go over there and do everything right,” Taylor said. “To win that race, you have to go with the horse that is the fastest. Chasing Aj is faster right now of the two. He doesn’t have the same mental consistency as the other one has.

“He’s a big baby and got a lot of play to him. If Chasing Aj had the mentality of Hes Judgeandjury, he’d probably be undefeated. He would have won both of the other races. He beat himself both times when the money counted. I’m hoping this time will be different.”

◗ On the undercard, the $200,000 All American Juvenile field includes Teller Ima Eagle, who was second to Chasing Aj in the All American trials.

Instygator, the winner of last year’s All American Derby at Ruidoso, is part of a competitive field of older horses in the $150,000 All American Gold Cup.

The $75,000 Labor Day Weekend is an overnight route stakes for Thoroughbreds led by Sheriff Brown.

– additional reporting by Steve Andersen