Ruidoso Downs: Cold Cash 123 fastest for Rainbow Derby

Cold Cash 123 defeated two champions while setting the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 1, $899,523 Rainbow Derby for Quarter Horses during trials Saturday at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico. The finale will be held July 23.

Cold Cash 123 ($14.80) was in the first of seven trials, which went as the third race. He broke out at the start and then closed with a flourish to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Cold Cash 123 covered 440 yards in 20.76 seconds, which was not far off the track record of 20.73 that Strawkins set winning the Ruidoso Derby in 2006.

Cold Cash 123 on Saturday defeated last year’s champion 2-year-old gelding, Jls Mr Bigtime, who was third, and last year’s champion 2-year-old colt, American Runaway, who ran fifth. Of the champions, Jls Mr Bigtime qualified for the Rainbow.

Cold Cash 123 races for T. Bill Stables. Roy Baldillez rode the winner for Sleepy Gilbreath.

The remaining qualifiers with times were: Bodacious Dash (21.07), First Down Master (21.11), Jls Mr Bigtime (21.12), Dm Streakn Thru Fire (21.13), Dominyun (21.14), Royally Sandra (21.16), Llano Teller (21.17), Giorgino (21.21), and Jess Before Dawn (21.21).