Apocalyptical Jess streaking into Rainbow Derby

Apocalyptical Jess has been unbeatable this year, and on Saturday the champion Quarter Horse will attempt to win his sixth straight race in the Grade 1, $1,008,129 Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs.

The 440-yard race drew a field of 10.

Apocalyptical Jess opened his 3-year-old season with back-to-back wins at Remington Park in April, led by the $320,000 Remington Park Derby. He’s since won three starts this spring and summer at Ruidoso, led by the Grade 1, $958,800 Ruidoso Derby on June 8. Last year, Apocalyptical Jess won the $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso.

“He’s matured a ton since last year, but he’s just a once-in-a-lifetime horse,” said Trey Wood, who trains Apocalyptical Jess for Bill T. Robbins.

Apocalyptical Jess won his Rainbow trial from the rail by a length July 7.

:: Get PPs, Clocker Reports, picks, and more from DRF's Saratoga/Del Mar One-Stop Shop

“He ran good,” Wood said. “He didn’t break like he can, but he finished. We were tickled to death.”

With the win, Apocalyptical Jess became the lone horse eligible for a $1 million bonus from Ruidoso. It’s paid to the connections of the horse who can sweep the meet’s three major derbies for Quarter Horses: the Ruidoso, the Rainbow and the All American.

Ricky Ramirez has the mount Saturday from post 10.

Apocalyptical Jess, who is 8 for 11 lifetime with earnings of $2 million, sits atop the latest American Quarter Horse Association poll of 3-year-olds and up.

“He’s just a wonderful horse,” Wood said. “He’s easy to keep happy, and he runs hard every time you lead him up there.”