Streaking Fdd Dreams dominates Ruidoso Derby

RUIDOSO DOWNS, N,M. - Fdd Dreams, a major stakes winner in Texas last fall, claimed his first important victory in New Mexico with an authoritative win in Saturday’s $793,066 Ruidoso Derby at Ruidoso Downs.

Sent off favored in a field of seven, Fdd Dreams broke well, avoiding the trouble that plagued two rivals, and quickly sped clear. Ridden by Luis Martinez, Fdd Dreams maintained a clear advantage through the 400 yards, winning by 1 1/2 lengths.

Fdd Dream ($3) was timed in 19.605 seconds.

Little Vaquero, the 7-1 fourth choice, finished second, giving owner La Feliz Montana Ranch and trainer Xavier Rodriguez a sweep of the exacta. Eagle Aye (16-1) finished third, followed by Daou, Stetsonn, Kj Born to be Wild and Cartel Perry.

Cartel Perry, a trial race winner and the third-place finisher in the Los Alamitos Winter Derby in California in February, lunged toward the front of the stall a moment before the gates were released and was left behind when the race began. Stettson, a trial race winner who was fourth in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby in April, was away slowly and did not recover.

There were 10 qualifiers from time trials on May 25, but only seven ran on Saturday.

Hardtokatch collapsed after winning a division of the trials and died. A necropsy was pending as of the middle of last week, New Mexico officials said. Electrifying Cowboy, a two-time stakes winner last year, and Lethal Cowboy 123, who won the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity last December, did not start after bleeding in the trials, officials said.

They were entered so their owners could collect the eighth through 10th place portions of the purse.

Fdd Dreams, a gelding by Fdd Dynasty, has won 7 of 11 starts and earned $1,209,889. The winner’s share of the Ruidoso Derby was worth $333,088.

Last year, Fdd Dreams was last of 10 in the $311,951 West Texas Futurity at Sunland Park after a troubled start, second in the $1 million Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs, third in the $3 million All American Futurity at the Downs at Albuquerque and won the $911,868 Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park in November.

Fdd Dreams may eventually be promoted to second in the All American Futurity. Race winner Hezgothelook Z tested positive for a banned medication, a case that has yet to be finalized.

Fdd Dreams has won his last four races. Owner Javier Rodriguez said Fdd Dreams will be pointed to the Rainbow Derby, which has time trials on June 29 and a final on July 12.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.