A Pollitical Candy V takes All American Derby; Political Rose wins All American Oaks

A Pollitical Candy V and Political Rose were comfortable winners of two of Quarter Horse racing’s most important races for 3-year-olds at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday, solidifying their chances for year-end championships.

A Pollitical Candy V, ridden by Juan Pulido, won his fifth consecutive race in the $808,264 All American Derby, the track’s richest race for 3-year-olds.

Trained by Santos Carrizales Jr., A Pollitical Candy V ($6.20) was away well in the 440-yard race and quickened in the final 150 yards to win by 1 3/4 lengths in the fast time of 20.84 seconds.

Delight Us All (37-1) finished second, a head in front of 9-1 Lethal Avenger. Bomb Cyclone, the even-money favorite, bobbled slightly at the start from the inside post, but recovered quickly. Bomb Cyclone could not keep pace in the final 100 yards and finished fourth in his second start of 2022.

Bomb Cyclone won the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity last December.

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A Pollitical Candy V, a gelding who races for Sammy Valeriano, won the Ruidoso Invitational in June, the consolation for the Ruidoso Derby. A Pollitical Candy V later won the trial and final of the prestigious Rainbow Derby in July and was the fastest qualifier for the All American Derby after winning one of eight trials on Aug. 21.

A winner of 9 of 18 starts, A Pollitical Candy V has earned $731,309 and is a leading contender for the title of champion 3-year-old gelding.

Quarter Horse racing has championships for outstanding colt, gelding and filly and an overall champion for the age group selected from the three individual winners.

Political Rose is well on her way to champion 3-year-old filly honors with her second major stakes win of the year in the $460,963 All American Oaks for fillies.

Ridden by California-based Jesus Ayala for trainer Monty Arrossa, Political Rose ($4.40) won the All American Oaks as the favorite by 1 1/2 lengths. She was timed in 21.10 seconds for 440 yards.

Political Rose was well clear of 6-1 Miss Beth Dutton, who won the Rainbow Oaks in July. Shesa Relentless Gal (24-1) finished third in the field of 10.

Owned by Matt Dunn, Political Rose is unbeaten in five starts this year, a winning streak that includes the Heritage Place Oaks at Remington Park in May.

Political Rose has won 8 of 12 starts and earned $596,690. Sunday’s race was the richest running of the All American Oaks in the third year of the race.

Later this year, races such as the Los Alamitos Super Derby on Nov. 6 and the Texas Classic Derby at Lone Star Park on Nov. 19 will offer further clarity on 3-year-old championship candidates.