Jess Good Candy wins trial but fails to qualify for All American Derby

The champion Jess Good Candy won the battle but not the war Sunday during trials for the Grade 1, $2.4 million All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs. He darted to a 1 1/4-length win in his second-race trial, but his time of 21.60 seconds for 440 yards failed to notch a spot in the Sept. 4 finale on an afternoon when a track labeled “wet-fast” produced quicker times as the card rolled on.

There were 13 trials for the All American Derby, and the fastest qualifier was Volcom Bay, with a time of 21.18.

During trials for the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity, the later heats produced the fastest qualifying times during two days of trials Friday and Saturday. There were a total of 30 trials, and the horses with the five fastest times from each card locked up the 10 spots in the gate for the All American on Sept. 5.

The filly Coronas First Diva was the fastest qualifier during the second day of trials, when she covered 440 yards in 21.50 seconds during the 14th of 15 trials on the card. The gelding Imperial Eagle was the fastest qualifier during the first day of trials, covering 440 yards in 21.49 seconds in the 15th and final race on the card.

A Revenant, the top-ranked 2-year-old Quarter Horse off his win in the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity, was scratched Friday.

◗ The $1 million Texas Classic Futurity on Nov. 12 at Lone Star Park will highlight a 19-race stakes schedule for the track’s Quarter Horse meet, which opens Sept. 16. Lone Star announced its $2.49 million stakes schedule Monday.

◗ Will Rogers Downs, a racetrack and casino in Claremore, Okla., has started a $3.5 million renovation project, the track announced Monday. It is scheduled to be complete by April. Plans call for the simulcasting area to be updated and moved to the northwest corner of the casino. It will feature an indoor area for paddock viewing.

◗ Kool Yankee, a 2-year-old half-brother to Ide Be Cool, the 2013 Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year, makes his debut in Thursday’s fourth race at Louisiana Downs. Ide Be Cool last raced in December.