Stinebaugh pair ones to beat in Rainbow Futurity

Trainer John Stinebaugh will saddle the fastest qualifiers from both days of trials for the Rainbow Futurity when the $1 million classic for Quarter Horses is renewed Sunday at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico.

Jess Savin Candy was the fastest qualifier on Day 1 of the trials, and Candy Dice led all of her peers on Day 2. Despite the distinction, Stinebaugh is taking nothing for granted heading into the 400-yard finale.

“There are eight other very fast horses,” Stinebaugh said. “For either one of my horses to get there and win, there can’t be mistakes. You have to go over there and do it right.”

Jess Savin Candy is the probable favorite on the strength of his record. He won his maiden in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity in June, then came back and rolled by 1 1/4 lengths in his July 9 trial for the Rainbow. Jess Savin Candy covered 400 yards in 19.53 seconds under Francisco Calderon, who has the mount from post 8.

Stinebaugh, who trains Jess Savin Candy for Dutch Masters III, said he believes the April foal is an improving horse heading into Sunday.

“Coming into the trials, he looked readier to me than when he ran in the [Ruidoso] finals,” Stinebaugh said. “The way I read him and the way I see him, he’s readier now than in his [Rainbow] trial.

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“Maybe I’m wrong. We’ll see come Sunday afternoon. But he keeps getting bigger and better.”

Jess Savin Candy stands about 16.1 hands tall and is a stout individual, Stinebaugh said.

“He is the biggest 2-year-old I’ve ever run,” he said. “If he was a foot wide when we got here in April, he’s three feet wide now. He’s a lot of horse.”

Jess Savin Candy is by Jess Good Candy, the same sire as Candy Dice. She won her maiden in her Rainbow trial by a length in 19.47 on July 10. It was the fastest overall qualifying time for Sunday.

“That filly has always been fast,” said Stinebaugh, who trains Candy Dice for Glenda Bass.

Stinebaugh said Candy Dice is a petite filly. She will break from post 9 under Sergio Becerra Jr. and will face mostly male rivals Sunday.

“We took her to the gate this morning – she’s ready,” Stinebaugh said Friday. “She doesn’t know she’s little. She told me just this morning she was a giant killer.”

Others set to start include Fdd Scout, who is undefeated in three starts. He won the $100,000 Ruidoso Juvenile in June.

Jess Savin Candy is the lone 2-year-old eligible to win the Triple Crown at Ruidoso. It’s made up of the Ruidoso, Rainbow, and All American Futurities. The latter race closes out the meet in September.