Page 164 - October 2023

RACING NEWS
KJ DESPARADO
by Tracy Gantz
KJ Desparado makes sure he collects a trophy for one of the big races at Ruidoso Downs every season. This year was his turn at the All
American Gold Cup-G1 after taking the 2021 All American Futurity-G1 and 2022 Ruidoso Derby-G1.
In the 440-yard All American Gold Cup-G1 on Sept. 4, KJ Desparado beat all of his rivals out of the gate and flew to the early lead under regular rider Adrian Ramos. Bomb Cyclone drew even with him midway through the race, but KJ Desparado refused to give way. Flash Bak ranged up on the outside to engage the first two, and KJ Desparado held both of them off, defeating Flash Bak by a neck in :21.500, with Bomb Cyclone another nose back in third.
“He broke good and managed a good race—he wasn’t 100% yet as far as conditioning,” said John Lee, who owns KJ Desparado with his wife Kathy and their friend Ruben Mares. “He’d only had one out (this year). I think that race got him in shape for the next one.”
The Lees, who bred the gelding in Arizona, where they live, praised KJ Desparado’s heart and refusal to lose.
162 SPEEDHORSE October 2023
KJ Desparado and jockey Adrian Ramos win the $250,000 All American Gold Cup-G1 by a neck.
All American Gold Cup-G1
Ruidoso Downs
$250,000 • 440 yards :21.500 • SI 88
KJ DESPARADO, ‘19-g.
Bred by: L&L Land & Cattle
Raced to 4 $2,906,599 20-14(5)-3(2)-0
APOLLITICAL JESS
SI 107
Bred by: Juan Alberto Tirado Lizarraga
Raced to 3 • $1,399,831 14-8(2)-4(2)-0
1277 f., 128 SW • $63,854,316
MR JESS PERRY SI 113 Bred by: Jesse Perry Raced to 4 • $687,184 21-12(5)-2(1)-0
2009 f., 164 SW • $61,568,524
APOLLITICAL TIME SI 104 Bred by: Vessels Stallion Farm LLC
Raced to 6 • $904,242 35-14(10)-7(2)-5(4)
13 f., 1 SW • $1,538,910
TRES VESES
SI 91
Bred by: Lee & Sherwood Racing LLC
Raced to 4 • $7,085
7-0-2-0
8 f., 1 SW • $3,268,550
TRES SEIS SI 97
Bred by: Mrs. Gwendolyn Eaves Raced to 3 • $856,901 12-6(1)-3(3)-3(1)
1811 f., 67 SW • $28,795,921
FIRST PLACE KATE
Bred by: Jerry Windham Unraced
10 f., 0 SW • $120,609
Susan Bachelor, Speedhorse