Sicario V leads all the way in Rainbow Derby
RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. - Sicario V finished third by a neck in the $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs last September, eventually ending his juvenile season as a maiden after six starts.
The gelding’s 3-year-old season has been a complete reversal. Sicario V is unbeaten in four starts at Ruidoso Downs this year, none as valuable as Saturday’s $804,288 Rainbow Derby at 440 yards.
Sent off as the second choice in a field of 10, Sicario V ($6) led throughout, eventually pulling away to win by 1 1/2 lengths over 7-10 favorite Cyber Attack, the champion 2-year-old Quarter Horse colt of 2022.
Ridden by Francisco Calderon, Sicario V was timed in 21.43 seconds, slightly slower than his time of 21.33 seconds in the Rainbow Derby trials on July 2. Sicario V was the fastest qualifier from the time trials.
Chasing Aj, third by a half-length in the All American Futurity, finished third in the Rainbow Derby, a neck behind Cyber Attack.
Cyber Attack’s loss was his first in his fourth start of the year. Cyber Attack won the Ruidoso Derby at 400 yards on June 10, the first race of the Triple Crown for 3-year-olds at Ruidoso Downs. The Rainbow Derby is followed on that schedule by the All American Derby on Sept. 3.
In the Rainbow Derby, Cyber Attack was away well, but could not keep pace with Sicario V.
Sicario V races for Sammy Valeriano and trainer Santos Carrizales Jr., and has won 4 of 10 starts and earned $856,286.
Sicario V, Cyber Attack and Chasing Aj are scheduled to start in the All American Derby trials on Aug. 13. The trials are expected to include Hes Judgeandjury, who won the All American Futurity in 2022 and was later named champion 2-year-old gelding and overall champion for last season.
Hes Judgeandjury won a division of the Rainbow Derby trials earlier this month, but did have a time fast enough to qualify for the final.
The Saturday program at Ruidoso Downs was a tough day for 2-year-old champions of 2022.
Jes an Angel, the champion 2-year-old filly last year, could finish only fourth in the $478,049 Rainbow Oaks for 3-year-old fillies as the 9-5 favorite.
Jes An Angel was beaten two lengths by Ezee Money ($19.20).
Ezee Money, ridden by Adrian Ramos, rallied from third to win the Rainbow Oaks by a half-length over 11-1 Sweet Emylou. Fearless Moon (5-2) finished third.
Ezee Money was timed in 21.36 seconds. She won a division of the Rainbow Oaks trials in 21.88 seconds on July 2.
Owned by Isidoro Esparza of Lovington, N.M., and trained by Jaime Aldavaz Sr., Ezee Money has won 5 of 11 starts and earned $295,855.
The Rainbow Oaks, the richest race for fillies in Quarter Horse racing history, was Ezee Money’s second appearance in a final. She was fourth by two lengths to Cyber Attack in the Ruidoso Derby.
Ezee Money is expected to start in the All American Oaks trials on Aug. 13. The final is on Sept. 3.
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