Empressum impresses again in Rainbow Derby
Empressum is two-thirds the way through a sweep of the Ruidoso Triple Crown for 3-year-olds.
Saturday at the southern New Mexico track, Empressum won the $678,253 Rainbow Derby, following his win in the Ruidoso Derby on June 12. Ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo, Empressum took the lead a few strides away from the gate and extended his advantage to 1 1/2 lengths at the finish over stablemate Dulce Sin Tacha.
Heath Taylor trains the first two finishers and had four runners in the field of 10.
Sent off favored, Empressum ($4.60) ran 440 yards in 21.13 seconds. Dulce Sin Tacha (8-1) finished a half-length in front of 6-1 A Dangerous Flash. The remaining order of finish was Candy Blood, Shott Gun, Apolliticalfastprize, Mister Illusion, Troubleshooting, Flash Bak, and Steal the Candy.
Empressum, who races for Steve Holt of Guthrie, Okla., and Jeff Jones of Pembroke, N.C., is unbeaten in six starts this year, having won the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby on April 17 and the Ruidoso Derby.
In the time trials for the Ruidoso Derby, Empressum lowered the Ruidoso Downs track record for 400 yards to 19.149 seconds. Empressum also won time trials for the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby and Rainbow Derby.
Empressum, by Apollitical Jess, was bred in Oklahoma by Holt and Jones. A gelding, Empressum has won 10 of 13 starts and earned $790,491.
The third race in the Ruidoso Triple Crown is the All American Derby, which has time trials on Aug. 22 and a final on Sept. 5.