September 1, 2010 – Fastest-qualifier Apollitical Jess and Ruidoso Derby (G1) winner Double Down Special meet in a trial rematch on Sunday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs in the $1,548,076 All American Derby (G1), the richest derby in American Quarter Horse racing history.
Apollitical Jess and Double Down Special, who each raced 440 yards faster than :21.000 in their trial, will be the favorites to earn the record All American Derby winner’s share of $774,038.
Rancho el Cabresto’s Apollitical Jess (Mr Jess Perry-Apollitical Time by Apollo (TB)) was brought to Ruidoso Downs from Los Alamitos Race Course in Southern California to pursue the lucrative purses in the Rainbow and All American derbies. He earned the trip after racing to a second-place finish in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1) last December.
The first goal for the strapping colt was the Rainbow Derby, but he was sandwiched at the start of his trial. He finished fifth and his qualifying chances were eliminated.
A $100,000 purchase in the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Apollitical Jess was bumped at the start of his All American Derby trial, but quickly sprinted to the lead under regular rider Eduardo Nicasio. He maintained his advantage and scored the half-length win in :20.878, the fastest time from seven trials.
Double Down Special (The Down Side-Pamper Me Special by Special Effort) had a much rougher trial trip. He broke slowly while Apollitical Jess sprinted away from the adjoining post position. Double Down Special pulled alongside of Apollitical Jess and secured the second-fastest qualifying time of :20.957.
“I probably could have made it closer,” said jockey Jacky Martin. “But, I knew it was a fast time, so I didn’t push my horse. We want something for the finals.”
Vanessa Bartoo’s Double Down Special, a $40,000 supplemental nominee to enter the All American Derby trials, earned 7-10 trial favoritism after winning the Ruidoso Derby and setting the 400-yard world record of :18.613 at Sunland Park this spring.
Double Down Special raced to his fourth consecutive win when he took the Ruidoso Derby as the odds-on favorite. He rallied to win the 400-yard Ruidoso Derby by a neck over Swingin Daddyo, who went on to win the Rainbow Futurity.
Trainer John Stinebaugh then elected to pass on the Rainbow Derby and point at the All American Derby trials. “He had six races (since December) so we gave him a little rest and prepared him for the All American Derby trials,” Stinebaugh said.
The strong All American Derby cast is bolstered by 2009 All American Futurity runner-up Shesa First Ratify, 2009 All American Futurity third-place finisher First Corona Call, 2009 All American Futurity fourth-place finisher Favorite Cartel, 2009 Rainbow Futurity winner Zoomin With Ease and Heritage Place Derby winner Streakin Down.
Fourth-fastest qualifier Callan Rocks will race for new ownership in the All American Derby. The filly was consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect to the Ruidoso Select Yearling and Broodmare Sale and will be offered on Friday night at the sale pavilion near the track.
This year’s All American Derby purse surpasses the stakes and derby record of $1,319,677 set in the 1983 All American Derby. The All American Derby is also expected to be the richest Quarter Horse derby of 2010.
The three Grade 1 derbies run at Ruidoso Downs this summer are among the four richest 2010 Quarter Horse derbies. The Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1) on November 6 at Los Alamitos has an estimated $1 million purse, while the Rainbow Derby’s purse was $873,000 and the Ruidoso Derby’s purse was $569,000.