Page 171 - July 2016

Ruidoso Futurity-G1
APOLLTICAL CHAD
by Michael Cusortelli
Trial winner and overall fifth-fastest qualifier Apolltical Chad broke sharply from the 8-post and made quick work of his nine oppo- nents in the 350-yard Ruidoso Futurity-G1 on June 12.
Trained by Wes Giles for owner Nueve Racing of Edinburg, Texas, Apolltical Chad tripped the timer in :17.690 while racing against a 9-mph head wind. The $420,000 winner’s share of the stakes-record $1-million Ruidoso Futurity purse pushed his earnings to $425,346.
Apolltical Chad’s winning margin was just a head from 19-10 favorite A Revenant, but the gelded son of 2010 World Champion Apollitical Jess led at every call.
“The horse was doing everything perfect,” said jockey Adrian Ramos, who also rode Apolltical Chad to a 2 1/4-length victory in the fifth of 15 trials on May 27, the first day of trials. “He took the lead, and he wouldn’t quit. He always tries.
“He went out a little, but he came back to his position and ran really, really well,” Ramos added. “He’s a positive horse, and we’re think- ing forward.”
Apolltical Chad’s Ruidoso Futurity trial win marked his maiden score. Apolltical Chad’s victory in the rich Ruidoso Futurity final makes him the only horse with a chance
at Ruidoso Downs’ All American Triple Crown bonus, which pays a $4-mil- lion prize to the connections of a two year old who can win all three of the track’s Grade 1 futurities, includ- ing the 400-yard $1-million Rainbow Futurity-G1 on July 24, and the 440-yard $3-million All American Futurity-G1 on September 5.
However, Giles indicated
that Apolltical Chad would skip the July Rainbow Futurity trials and be pointed instead to the All American Futurity trials in August. Only one horse, World Champion Special Effort in 1981, has won all 3 of Ruidoso Downs’ major futurities in the same season.
“With so many good horses these days, I don’t think there is any horse that can win all three races,” the trainer added. “It’s tough, so we’ll pass the Rainbow and point at the All American. We’ll let the horse tell us.”
“He has a short attention span,” Giles admit- ted. “I think that will improve with maturity.”
This year’s Ruidoso Futurity purse eclipsed by $250,000 the previous stakes-record purse of $750,000, set three years ago.
A $38,000 purchase at
last year’s Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Apolltical
Chad was bred by Weetona Stanley and William E. Smith of Madill, Oklahoma. His dam is multiple winner and stakes placed Fast Prize Tracy, who has foaled six winners from nine starters including Spit Curl Trey, a multiple stakes-winning half brother to Apolltical Chad.
Runner-up A Revenant (Mr Jess Perry- Thewayouwantmetoo) races for Johnny D. Cope, R.D. Hubbard, Rafter W Stables, and Henry “Butch” Southway. The colt was ridden by Cody Jensen for trainer Mike Joiner. Tough To Bee (Apollitical Jess-Peppermint Seis) finished 3rd under Ivan Carnero for owner Paragon Farms LLC & trainer Blane Wood. Followed by Jess Paint
Ur Wagon (Pyc Paint Your Wagon-Jesses Peach), Cash And Corona (Corona Cartel-Take The Cash Willie), overall fastest qualifier Ms Maggie Mae (One Famous Eagle-Lake View Dreams), Mojo Perry (Mr Jess Perry-Jump Down First), One Hot Habit (Walk Thru Fire-Jess Another Habit), One Sweet Sign (One Sweet Jess-Significant Choice), & Wild Mares Milk (Desirio-Kellies Feature).
Ruidoso Downs $1,000,000 • 350 yards :17.690 • si 86
Mr Jess Perry
Apollitical Jess
Apollitical Time
APOLLTICAL CHAD, ‘14-g.
Shazoom
Fast Prize Tracy
Fast First Prize
Apolltical Chad & Adrian Ramos score the victory in the $1,000,000 Ruidoso Futurity-G1
SPEEDHORSE, July 2016 169
RACING NEWS
Gay Harris, Ruidoso Downs