Ruidoso Downs: Ms First Prize Rose by a nose in Rainbow Futurity

Trainer Blane Wood swept the first two places in the Grade 1, $1 million Rainbow Futurity for Quarter Horses at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday, when Ms First Prize Rose edged stablemate Belle Helene by a nose. It was a neck back to Potenzza in third.

The Rainbow was the second leg of Ruidoso’s rich series for 2-year-olds that concludes on Labor Day with the $2.6 million All American Futurity.

Ms First Prize Rose overtook pacesetter Belle Helene late in the Rainbow to cover 400 yards on a fast track in 19.54 seconds. The horses raced as separate interests. Ms First Prize Rose paid $13.60 to win, while the 2-1 exacta formed by the fillies returned $82.

Ricky Ramirez was aboard Ms First Prize Rose, who races for the partnership of Johnny Trotter and Burnett Ranches. She earned $500,000 for the win, her third from four starters, with her other victories coming in trial races. Ms First Prize Rose is a daughter of Corona Cartel and was bred in Oklahoma by Weetona Stanley and William Smith.

Reagal Eagle, the favorite and the fastest qualifier in the first of two days of trials for the Rainbow, finished fifth in the finale after being bumped hard at the break.

The Rainbow was run for the 50th time Sunday.