Cers Final Try turns tables on Hotsempting in Rainbow Derby

Cers Final Try edged 4-5 favorite Hotsempting in Saturday’s Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs, a reverse of the first two positions of the Ruidoso Derby on June 6.

Hotsempting won the 400-yard Ruidoso Derby by a length, but was beaten a nose by Cers Final Try in the 440-yard Rainbow Derby. Cers Final Try was timed in 21.36 seconds and paid $10.60 to win.

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Ridden by Alfredo Sigala for trainer Tony Sedillo, Cers Final Try had a clean start from post 3 and ran without incident. Hotsempting, ridden by Esgar Ramirez, drifted to the inside from post 8. Gold Heart Eagle V (10-1) finished third, a nose behind Hotsempting in the field of nine.

Those three were relatively clear of the others. Jess Sumokin Hot (9-1) finished fourth, three-quarters of a length behind Gold Heart Eagle V.

The race lost a runner when Apollitical Papa flipped in the gate and was withdrawn by the stewards on advice of the track veterinarian. Apollitical Papa, who was 14-1 when scratched, was quickly taken out of the gate.

Cers Final Try, an Oklahoma-bred gelding by One Dashing Eagle, won his first stakes in the Rainbow Derby, his fourth appearance in a major race for 2- or 3-year-olds. Owned by Christina Robinson, Cers Final Try was fifth in the Hobbs America Futurity and second in the Southwest Juvenile Championship at Zia Park last fall. Cers Final Try has won 6 of 15 starts and earned $547,500.

Cers Final Try was the second-fastest qualifier for the Rainbow Derby, winning a division of the time trials in 21.29 seconds. Hotsempting was the fastest qualifier with a trial win in 21.28 seconds.