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RACING NEWS
Ruidoso Derby-G1
EMPRESSUM
by Tracy Gantz
Co-owner Jeff Jones of Pembroke, North Carolina, named Empressum because of how terrific the colt looked as a baby.
Empressum continues to live up to his name, most recently winning the $672,732 Ruidoso Derby-G1 on June 12.
“The first time I ever got to lay eyes on him, he was about 90 days old,” said Jones, who bred and owns Empressum with Steve Holt of Guthrie, Oklahoma.
“Boy, was I impressed—he was some- thing. Steve allowed me to name him, and that’s where I came up with the name,” Jones said.
Holt and Jones certainly enjoyed seeing Empressum in person for the Ruidoso Derby final. The gelding had not only qualified the fastest, he won by 2 1/2-lengths and set a New Track Record for 400 yards in doing so. In his May 30 trial, Empressum stopped the timer in :19.149, breaking the previous record of :19.151 set in 2013.
Ruidoso Downs
$672,732 • 400 yards :19.338 • si 105
APOLLITICAL JESS
si 107
Bred by: Juan Alberto Tirado Lizarraga
Raced to 3 • $1,399,831 14-8(2)-4(2)-0
938 f., 82 SW • $40,791,176
MR JESS PERRY si 113 Bred by: Jesse Perry Raced to 4 • $687,184 21-12(5)-2(1)-0
1,923 f., 156 SW • $58,736,625
Bred by: Jeff Jones & Steve Holt
Raced to 3 $500,825 11-8(2)-0-0
APOLLITICAL TIME si 104 Bred by: Vessels Stallion Farm LLC
Raced to 6 • $904,242 35-14(10)-7(2)-5(4)
12 f., 1 SW • $1,524,188
CRAZY DOWN CORONA
si 96
Bred by: Steve A. Holt Raced to 3 • $73,162 6-2-1-0
8 f., 1 SW • $593,009
FIRST DOWN DASH si 105 Bred by: A F Stanley Jr./B F Phillips Jr.
Raced to 3 • $857,256 15-13(8)-1(1)-0
2,506 f., 258 SW • $89,440,221
CRAZY ABOUT CORONA si 100 Bred by: Ginger & Rainy Graham Raced to 3 • $90,252 16-7(1)-2(1)-2(2)
12 f., 1 SW • $436,757
116 SPEEDHORSE July 2021
Empressum and jockey Rodrigo Vallejo win the $672,732 Ruidoso Derby-G1 by 2 1/2-lengths.
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse
EMPRESSUM, ‘18-g