Hes Too Icy for Me by a nose at Ruidoso

Hes too Icy for Me upset American Runaway in Sunday's $625,000 Rainbow Futurity for 2-year-old Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs, ending American Runaway's chances for a sweep of the three major futurities at the New Mexico track this summer and the $4 million bonus attached to those races.

The margin at the finish of the 400-yard Rainbow Futurity between Hes too Icy for Me and American Runaway was a nose. The jockey of the winner was in a familiar place. Jacky Martin, 55, won his fifth Rainbow Futurity on Hes too Icy for Me. Martin recently returned to riding from a four-year absence caused by personal problems.

Owned by Dolores and Robert Gerhardt and trained by Carlos Sedillo, Hes too Icy for Me ($12.20) was timed in 19.409 seconds on a sloppy surface. American Runaway finished a half-length in front of 16-1 This Corona Is Cold, who was third. Llano Teller, considered the main threat to American Runaway, finished seventh.

Hes too Icy for Me overcame a tough start to win the Rainbow, Martin said. "He didn't break as well as he did in his trial," Martin said. "[This Corona is Cold] had me beat about a half-length, and when I got by her I could see American Runaway. He was coming at me at the end."

By First Down Dash, Hes too Icy for Me has won 3 of 4 starts and $322,694, with his only loss a sixth in the Grade 1 West Texas Futurity at Sunland Park in April when he bucked during the 300-yard race and was beaten 1 1/2 lengths. Hes too Icy for Me was gelded after that race.

*Swingin Daddyo, making his 20th start, won the richest running of the $873,441 Rainbow Derby on Saturday.

Ridden by Cody Wainscott and breaking from the rail, Swingin Daddyo ($16.80) ran 440 yards in 21.20 seconds on a muddy track, leading throughout and finishing a half-length in front of 10-1 Smokey Stone. First Klas Fred, an 11-1 shot and the champion 2-year-old gelding of 2009, was third. Love Samba, the 5-2 favorite, finished sixth.

Swingin Daddyo was sixth in the 2009 All American Futurity. Owned by Debra Gotovac and trained by Bradley Bolen, Swingin Daddyo has won 4 races and $700,476.

The Rainbow Derby is expected to be the third-richest derby for 3-year-old Quarter Horses this year, behind $1.5 million-estimated All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs on Sept. 5 and the $1.25 million Los Alamitos Super Derby at Los Alamitos in November.