A Pollitical Candy V takes Rainbow Quarter Horse Derby, stops Kj Desparado's win streak

A Pollitical Candy V kept Kj Desparado from winning his eighth straight race Saturday, when he won by a neck in the Grade 1, $645,329 Rainbow Quarter Horse Derby at Ruidoso Downs.

It was another length back in third to Lethal Avenger.

The 440-yard race shared a card with the $348,826 Rainbow Oaks that Miss Beth Dutton ($18.60) won by a neck over favorite Kiss the Cartel, and the $100,000 Rainbow Invitational captured by One Slick V ($33.80).

A Pollitical Candy V ($18.60) was bumped at the start of the Rainbow, quickly recovered, and ran a straight line to the wire. He covered the distance on a fast track in 21.13 seconds. In the late stages A Pollitical Candy V battled with Kj Desparado, whose win streak included last year’s All American Futurity and Texas Classic Futurity and this year’s Ruidoso Derby.

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Following the Rainbow, it was announced the trainer of fourth-place Favorite Blues Man had lodged an objection against runner-up Kj Desparado. The stewards made no change to the order of finish.

A Pollitical Candy V was winning his third straight race. Juan Pulido was aboard for Valeriano Racing Stables and Santos Carrizales Jr.

A Pollitical Candy V is a son of Apollitical Jess. He earned $271,038 to improve his career record to 7 for 16 for earnings $386,923.

Ruidoso puts on the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Futurity on Sunday.