An ultra-confusing All American Derby like no other

It may take a résumé that includes a championship to win Sunday’s $1,550,855 All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs.

Two of the three Quarter Horse champion 2-year-olds of 2018 – overall champion and champion filly Flash and Roll and champion colt Flying Cowboy 123 – qualified for the All American Derby from time trials on Aug. 18.

American Hussle set the fastest qualifying time of 21.13 seconds for 440 yards and will make his first appearance in a major stakes final in his eighth start. He is not rated as highly as Flying Cowboy 123, who won a trial in 21.29 seconds, or Flash and Roll, who won a trial in 21.45 seconds.

Flash and Roll won the Golden State Million and Los Alamitos Two Million futurities at Los Alamitos last fall to secure her titles. Earlier this year, she won a division of the Ruidoso Derby trials and was fifth in a division of the Rainbow Derby trials, failing to qualify for either final.

This will be the second major derby appearance of the year for Flying Cowboy 123. He was fourth in the $958,800 Ruidoso Derby on June 8 when trained by Trey Wood. In mid-August, Wood was suspended by Ruidoso stewards after one of his runners tested positive for the bronchodilator albuterol from a sample taken in July.

After the suspension, Flying Cowboy 123, who races for Paragon Farms, was transferred to J.J. Gonzales, who had the colt in his barn for only a few days before the All American Derby trials. Jest Famous, who won a trial race in 21.43 for new trainer Manuel Rodriguez, was in a similar situation, having previously been trained by Wood.

Jest Famous, who won the $150,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship at Zia Park last December, was ridden in the trials by Ricky Ramirez, who also won trials on qualifiers Flying Cowboy 123 and Tools in the Sky.

For the final, Ramirez chose Tools in the Sky, who drew post 5. Flying Cowboy 123 drew post 9, too far to the outside for Ramirez.

“I had my mind set on Flying Cowboy 123,” Ramirez said. “He always been a good horse.

“When I saw he drew the nine hole and the way the outside of the track has been here . . . the outside has not been very good.

“I think Tools in the Sky didn’t run his best performance. I see room for improvement. If Flying Cowboy 123 had drawn the inside, it would have been an easy deal.”

Ramirez rode Tools in the Sky for the first time in the All American Derby trials. The gelding was fourth in the $3 million All American Futurity last September.

The qualifiers for the All American Derby changed after the trials were run. Ryansmanonthemoon, the second-fastest qualifier, was disqualified after failing a hair follicle test for albuterol administered by New Mexico State Racing Commission officials.

Because of the positive, Rustys Miracle, the 11th fastest qualifier, was given a berth in the final. Rustys Miracle and Midday News had identical trial race times of 21.516 seconds that tied for the 10th qualifying spot. Midday News won a random shake for what at the time seemed like the final berth.

All American Gold Cup

Ruidoso’s top race for older Quarter Horses is Sunday’s $200,000 All American Gold Cup at 440 yards, which will be the 2019 debut of Hold Air Hostage, the overall champion 3-year-old and champion gelding of 2017.

Hold Air Hostage has not raced since finishing fourth in the AQHA Challenge Championship at Los Alamitos last November, his final start for owner Dan Darling. Hold Air Hostage has since been purchased by Valeriano Racing Stables and transferred to trainer Jorge Valenzuela.

The All American Gold Cup field includes Papaws Paint, who was third in the 2018 All American Derby, and Mi Amor Secreto and Tough to Bee, who were second and third in the $250,000 Remington Park Championship in Oklahoma in June.

Rio Grande Senorita Futurity

Of the 10 New Mexico-bred fillies in Sunday’s $123,165 Rio Grande Senorita Thoroughbred Futurity, six are trained by Todd Fincher. The probable favorite is Two Stepper, who has won two races and is the only unbeaten runner in the field.

Owned by former Ruidoso Downs track owner R.D. Hubbard and Paul Blanchard, who owns The Downs at Albuquerque, Two Stepper won a trial race for the Senorita Futurity on Aug. 10 in her second start. She was a maiden race winner in Albuquerque on July 17 for Fincher.

The other trial race winner was Fritzies Flame, who won for the first time in his third start in the trials for trainer Johnnie Nall despite a wide trip.