Mister Riptide has second stakes win in Zia Derby

Mister Riptide, second in the $3 million All American Futurity last September, won his second stakes for New Mexico-breds in Saturday’s $183,073 Zia Derby at Ruidoso Downs.

Mister Riptide ($7.80) finished a neck in front of 4-1 Close to Crazy, who was a neck in front of fastest qualifier Donelli, the 3-1 second choice.

Mister Riptide was ridden by Ricky Ramirez for trainer Duke Shults and ran 400 yards on a sealed and muddy track in 19.88 seconds. Mister Riptide, a gelding by Woodbridge, races for owners Mark and Annette McCloy and has won six of eight starts, earning $743,498.

Aside from the neck loss in the All American Futurity, Mister Riptide’s only other defeat was a fifth in the $404,357 Mountain Top Futurity for state-breds in June 2019. Mister Riptide won the $434,357 Zia Futurity for state-breds in July 2019. Mister Riptide has made all of his starts at Ruidoso Downs.

The Zia Derby was the richest of three stakes for state-breds on Saturday’s program.

In the $50,000 Sierra Starlet Stakes for 3-year-old state-bred Thoroughbred fillies, Tight Fittin Jeans ($7.80) led throughout to win by 1 1/2 lengths over 16-1 Laugharoo in a field of seven. Reception, the 4-5 favorite, was as close as third, but faded in the stretch to finish fifth.

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

Tight Fittin Jeans, who was ridden by Francisco Amparan, ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.46.

By the Indian Charlie stallion Shame On Charlie, Tight Fittin Jeans has won three of five starts and has earned $89,960 for owners Greg and Delinda Green and Corie O’Conner and trainer Todd Fincher.

The Sierra Starlet Stakes was her first stakes win. She was second in the La Senora Stakes at Sunland Park in January.

The 7-year-old gelding Jess a Satin Flash won his first stakes in his 38th start in the $50,000 Zia Handicap for older Quarter Horses.
Jess a Satin Flash ($28.60) finished a head in front of 13-1 No Mires a La Luna, who was third in the 2018 All American Futurity and won the 2019 Zia Derby.

Jess a Satin Flash ran 400 yards in 19.94 seconds.

Jess a Satin Flash, by First Moonflash, has won nine of 38 starts and earned $184,572 for owner Bertha Irigoyen and trainer Rene Saucedo.

A weekend of stakes at Ruidoso Downs continues Sunday with seven stakes for New Mexico, including the $392,547 Zia Futurity.