Inseperable can't afford any slip-up

A few strides after the start of Sunday's $624,784 All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs, jockey Cody Jensen knows he better have a noticeable lead on Inseperable.

Typically an excellent gate horse, Inseperable will need every inch of an advantage he can get.

Already this summer, Inseperable has scooted away from the start to win the $481,000 Rainbow Derby in July and a division of the All American Derby trials on Aug. 21. Jensen needs the colt to do it one more time, against the toughest field he has faced.

"I'd like my chances if I get the start I had in the Rainbow Derby," he said. "I stole it away from there, and if I can do it again, I've got a chance."

The problem is Inseperable's competition, a group that includes Stolis Winner, the winner of the 2008 All American Futurity; Brenda Beautiful, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2008; Royal Proclamation, the winner of the El Primero Del Ano Derby at Los Alamitos in April; and the fastest qualifier, Fantastic Corona Jr.

Paul Jones, the nation's leading Quarter Horse trainer, has five starters: Brenda Beautiful, Fantastic Corona Jr, Fearless Fritz, Inseperable, and Royal Proclamation.

Inseperable has won 4 of 10 starts and $360,190. The Rainbow Derby is his biggest win. He returned to win a division of the All American trials in 21.34 seconds.

"This derby is extremely tough," Jensen said. "It's the toughest race [Inseperable] will face. He's a good gate horse and he has to break sharp. That's the key.

"Fantastic Corona and Stolis Winner will be the two horses to outrun. They are so dominant on paper and were so impressive in their trials."

Fantastic Corona Jr won a division of the time trials in 21.13 seconds. Supplemented to the trials for $40,000, Fantastic Corona Jr is seeking his first major stakes win, having finished third in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity last December and second in the Los Alamitos Winter Derby in February.

Stolis Winner won the 2008 All American Futurity and was named Quarter Horse World Champion last year. He was disqualified from the All American win because of a caffeine positive. The decision has been appealed and will be heard in an administrative hearing on Dec. 1.

The All American Derby trials was his first start since last fall, and one he needed, trainer Heath Taylor said.

"He desperately needed the race," Taylor said. "It was a lot to ask of him going 440 yards off a layoff without a race. I think the race will help him immensely. I think he's coming up to the race in good shape, and good form."

The field also includes the longshot Louisianafeature One. The colt is owned by Mark Allen's Double Eagle Farm and trained by Chip Woolley, a co-owner and trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.

The winner will receive an automatic berth to the $750,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos on Dec. 12.