Gold Heart Eagle V leads all the way in All American Derby

Gold Heart Eagle V set the fastest qualifying time for Sunday’s $1,077,688 All American Derby on Aug. 23, winning a 440-yard trial race by four lengths in 21.10 seconds at Ruidoso Downs.

He was even quicker in Sunday’s rich final. Gold Heart Eagle V won his first major stakes in the All American Derby, finishing in 21.04.

Ridden by James Flores, Gold Heart Eagle V won by 1 1/2 lengths over 11-1 Inaugurator, giving owner Sammy Valeriano and trainer Monty Arrossa a sweep of the first two positions. Valeriano and Arrossa were already having a big afternoon. They won the $125,000 All American Gold Cup with Dexxter in the preceding race.

Gold Heart Eagle V paid $5.20 as the favorite in a field of 10. Gold Heart Eagle V led throughout, holding a narrow advantage after the first 100 yards. He led by a length midway through the race.

Inaugurator, winner of the Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park in May, finished a half-length in front of Cers Final Try, winner of the Rainbow Derby in July. Hotsempting, a filly who won the Ruidoso Derby against males in June, finished fourth in the All American Derby.

Hotsempting, who was second in the Rainbow Derby, did not break as sharply as she had in previous starts and was beaten two lengths by Gold Heart Eagle V.

A colt by One Famous Eagle, Gold Heart Eagle V was third by a head in the Rainbow Derby in his stakes debut. Gold Heart Eagle V has won 2 of 7 starts and earned $530,883. The win in the All American Derby was worth $452,801.