Page 195 - September 2020

Mr Jet Moore Handicap-G2
VALIANT TIBERIAS
by Michael Cusortelli
Making his first start at the 2020 Ruidoso Downs meet, Valiant Tiberias won the 400- yard $40,000 Mr Jet Moore Handicap-G2 on Aug. 2.
Valiant Tiberias went wire-to-wire in :19.784 while racing against a reported 11-mph head wind. Alan Hernandez rode the 4-year-old Valiant Hero gelding for owners Sergio Holguin, Cliften Nielsen, and Felix Rodriguez, and trainer Wes Giles.
Valiant Tiberias was making his first start since May 30, when he ran fourth in the 440-yard
Grade 1 Debbie Schauf Remington Park
Championship. Valiant Tiberias has won seven of 16 outs, including five of nine at Ruidoso Downs.
The $24,000 winner’s share of the purse from his fourth stakes win pushed Valiant Tiberias’ bankroll to $442,050. The gelding has won three graded stakes; he ended his 3-year-old campaign with a neck victory in the 440-yard $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park-G1.
Reliance Ranches LLC bred Valiant Tiberias out of lightly raced American Feature. She has produced 100% winners from three starters. Valiant Tiberias is her second stakes winner and top earner.
SC Money Maker (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Spit Curl Diva) ran second under Esgar Ramirez for owner Reliance Ranches LLC and trainer Mike Robbins.
Shockinglyfamous (One Famous Eagle- Shocktime) finished third for owners Stone Chase Stables LLC and Alexia Willis. Jimmy Brooks rode the 4-year-old colt for trainer Eddie D. Willis.
Apocalyptical Jess (Apollitical Jess-Cassandra Crest), the 9-5 favorite, ran fourth and was followed by Putinical (Apollitical Jess-KGB Agent Anna), Senator Fast Jack (Louisiana Senator-Shezafasterthanjack), New News (Majestic Cartel-Executive Promises), Mitey Political (Apollitical Jess-Mitey Moon), Jess My Kiss (One Sweet Jess-Dreaming Of Kisses), and Relentless Gun (Hes Relentless-CF Smokin Gun).
John Deere RUI Juv. Chal.-G3
BAD MONKEY
by Michael Cusortelli
Dean R. Frey’s Bad Monkey was very good at Ruidoso Downs on Aug. 15, as the homebred son of Capo de Capi was a prompt favorite in the
350-yard $88,544 John Deere Ruidoso Juvenile Challenge-G3.
Ridden by Benito Baca, Bad Monkey defeated 14-1 longshot Isa Super Freak by a neck in :17.755. The gray gelding pocketed $41,616 from his first stakes win and landed a spot in the Oct. 24 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship-G2 at Albuquerque Downs.
“We got outbroke, but I remained confident that we could pick those horses up,” said Baca. “This horse keeps improving every time. He has a tremendous future ahead of him.”
Bad Monkey posted the second-fastest qualify- ing time with his neck victory in one of four trials on Aug. 1. Bad Monkey has now won two of four starts and has banked $57,658.
Frey bred Bad Monkey out of lightly raced Girls Eye Too. She has produced 100% money earners from five starters. Bad Monkey is the first stakes winner of the brood.
A maiden after his first six outs, Isa Super Freak (Ivan James-Isa Precious Patriot) finished second for owner/breeder Debra M. Gotovac. The Brad Bolen trainee had Alejandro Medina in the irons.
Jess The Lady (Valiant Hero-Jess Ballin The Jack) ran third for owner Bob McClure. Emilio Tapia rode Jess The Lady for trainer Harvey Baeza.
Lastraintoclarksvill (Freighttrain B-Streakin Ms Jess), Jess Adamant (Freighttrain B-Perryphery), Grace Of Monaco (Hes Relentless-Waitin On Mindy), Graceful Paradise (Ocean Runaway-
Thrill And Grace), Ronnies Return (High Rate Of Return-Sissys PYC), and Empire Of Grace (FDD Dynasty-Thrill And Grace) completed the order of finish. Peves Jackpot Jack was scratched.
Adequan RUI Derby Challenge
LUCHADOR
by Michael Cusortelli
A15-1 longshot and the seventh-fastest qualifier in a full field of 10 three year olds, Luchador won the 400-yard $56,474 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge at Ruidoso Downs on Aug. 15.
Luchador broke on top from the 2-post, and dropped to third. He made a strong drive to defeat 3-2 favorite and second-fastest qualifier Silk And Stilettos by a short nose in :20.050, posting an 86 speed index. Jockey Raul Valenzuela rode the sorrel gelding for owner D.P. Cattle Co. LLC and trainer John Stinebaugh.
The $25,979 winner’s share of the purse increased Luchador’s earnings to $42,712, of which $37,292 has been banked this season.
Raced in three states - New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas - Luchador has won three of 10 outs.
The gelding was bred in South Dakota by Butch and Stephanie Webb, and he sold for $27,000 at the 2018 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.
Luchador’s dam, the winning Pappasito mare Madresita, ran third in the 2014 AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship-G1 at Prairie Meadows. She has produced 100% money earners from seven starters.
Runner-up Silk And Stilettos (Favorite Cartel- Tallulah Moon) earned $11,295 for her owner, Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP. Ricky Ramirez rode the homebred filly for trainer Blane Wood. Fastest qualifier Cherokee Senator (Louisiana Senator-Eyesa Lil Cuervo) finished third under Raul Ramirez Jr. for owner Wootan Racing and trainer Mike Joiner.
Rrelentless (Hes Relentless-First A Princess) ran fourth and was followed by The Legend Stone (PYC Paint Your Wagon-Charmin Chief Corona), A Valiant Zoomer (Valiant Hero-Signs Zoomer), Apollitical B Birdie (Apollitical Blood-BP Down South), Regards To Cartel (Coronado Cartel-Regarding Dancer), Tempting Money (Tempting Dash-Scooter Prize) and Invader (Tres Seis-Racing Winner).
RACING NEWS
Ruidoso Downs • $40,000 400 yards • :19.784 • si 92
Valiant Hero VALIANT TIBERIAS, ‘16-g.
First Down Dash Corona Chick
Feature Mr Jess
American Feature
Allamericandreamgirl
Ruidoso Downs • $88,544 350 yards • :17.755 • si 88
Corona Cartel
A Shot At Glory Mr Eye Opener
Capo De Capi
BAD MONKEY, ‘18-g. Girls Eye Too
Docs First Card
Ruidoso Downs • $56,474 400 yards • :20.050 • si 86
Valiant Hero LUCHADOR, ‘17-g.
First Down Dash
Corona Chick
Pappasito
Madresita
Mongoose Jet Eye
SPEEDHORSE September 2020 193
Ruidoso Downs
Ruidoso Downs
Ruidoso Downs