Ruidoso Derby: Wicked Courage extends winning streak to seven races

Wicked Courage won his seventh consecutive race on Saturday, when he proved a neck best in the Grade 1, $822,753 Ruidoso Downs Derby for Quarter Horses. The purse for the 400-yard race was a record, and Wicked Courage earned a first-place check of $345,557 for his latest win in a streak that started last September at Will Rogers Downs.

Wicked Courage ($5.40) had three horses beat in the early stages of the Ruidoso Derby, but closed fast to overtake Ill Stop the World, who held second. It was another head back in third to Sugardaddy B. Wicked Courage covered the distance on a track rated fast in 19.47 seconds.

Cody Jensen was aboard the winner for Andrew T. Smith and trainer Luis Villafranco.

Wicked Courage’s streak began in a trial for the $350,000 Black Gold Futurity, and he returned to win the finale in October. Wicked Courage then picked off two more wins at Will Rogers, including the Grade 3 Black Gold Championship, before taking the Grade 2 Bob Moore at Remington Park in his start preceding the Ruidoso Derby.

Wicked Courage now has a lifetime record of 7 wins from 12 starts.