The Marksman V takes Ruidoso Derby; Flying Rabbit 123 wins Ruidoso Invitational

The $61,903 Texas Classic Juvenile at Lone Star Park last November has developed into quite a productive race.

The Marksman V, who finished second in the Texas Classic Juvenile, won his next two starts, including an upset victory in Saturday’s $832,707 Ruidoso Derby at Ruidoso Downs.

Flying Rabbit 123, who won the Texas Classic Juvenile, won Saturday’s $100,000 Ruidoso Invitational after failing to qualify for the Ruidoso Derby from time trials on May 26.

The Marksman V, a 3-year-old gelding ridden by Francisco Calderon for trainer Heath Taylor, ran the best race of his career in Saturday’s Ruidoso Derby. After a clean start, The Marksman V ($16) was quickly in front, and pulled away to win the 400-yard race by 1 3/4 lengths in 19.46 seconds.

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Mystic Paint (22-1) finished second, a neck in front of 8-5 favorite Dashing Tres, who broke well but posed no threat in the final 100 yards.

Mystic Paint won a trial in 20.010 seconds, setting the fastest qualifying time. The Marksman V was timed in 20.012 seconds, winning a trial and gaining the second-fastest time.

The Marksman V has won 3 of 8 starts and earned $382,468. The win in the Ruidoso Derby was worth $349,737.

Last year at Ruidoso Downs, when trained by Santos Carrizales Jr., The Marksman V failed to qualify for the Ruidoso, Rainbow or All American futurities.

Flying Rabbit 123 was fourth by a length in the $3 million All American Futurity last September. Owned and bred by Louis Malechek and trained by Toby Keeton, Flying Rabbit 123 ($5) won the Ruidoso Invitational by three-quarters of a length as the favorite in 19.95 seconds. Juan Pulido rode Flying Rabbit 123.

Yippee Ki Yey, a 10-1 outsider, overcame a bump at the start to finish second, a neck in front of 16-1 Ezze Boy.

The Ruidoso Invitational was the consolation of the Ruidoso Derby.

The Ruidoso Derby is the first of three major derbys at Ruidoso Downs this summer. The series continues with the Rainbow Derby, which has trials on June 30 and a final on July 13, and the All American Derby, which has trials on Aug. 11 and a final on Sept. 1.

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