ALBUQUERQUE – Todd Fincher-trained Haywire wasted little time dispatching of her opposition on her way to an impressive 4 1/4 length win in Sunday’s $75,000 Rio Grande Senorita Futurity at Albuquerque Downs.
Ridden by Oscar Andrade, Jr., the 2-year-old daughter of Marking was never far off the pace down the backstretch of the 5 1/2 furlong event. She drew up three-wide around the far turn and put a head in front of Jennys Tamale as the field hit the top of the stretch.
Haywire pulled clear inside the final furlong, winning for the second time in as many career starts and reaching the finish line in a time of 1 minute, 5.6 seconds.
Bred in New Mexico by Fred Alexander and owned by Alexander and Ruben Ramirez, Haywire broke her maiden July 12 over this course and has now amassed earnings of more than $57,000.
Just Jane, making her career debut for trainer for Dick Cappellucci for owners Glen Robertson and Bobby J. McQueen, finished well to hold the place spot under jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr.
Haywire was a popular winner at the windows. Sent off as the 14-to-10 favorite, she returned $3.40 to her backers. The $2 exacta with Just Jane paid back $32.40.
Letsdothetwist finished third with Jennys Tamale rounding out the top four finishers.
Jockey Jose Vazquez rushed up debuting Crimson Crusader to battle for the early lead before pulling clear of his rivals in the lane on their way to a strong win in Sunday’s $75,000 Rio Grande Senor Stakes at Albuquerque Downs.
Owned by David Montoya and trained by Arturo Chavez, the 2-year-old son of Sporting Chance was making his career debut in the 5 1/2 furlong event, as were each of his eight rivals in the Rio Grande Senor Stakes. Crimson Crusader stopped the timer in 1 minute, 6.81 seconds while crossing the wire by 4 1/4 lengths.
Bred in New Mexico by B 4 Farm LLC, Crimson Crusader was dismissed on the toteboard, being sent off at odds of more than 12-to-1. His victory returned $26.40 to his supporters. The victory puts $45,000 into his career bankroll.
Catchthecat, ridden by Rodolfo Guerra for trainer Simon Buechler, made a bid for the lead at the head of the lane before settling for second. The $2 exacta paid back a healthy $262.20.
Never Surrender finished third with Stylish Cat rounding out the top four finishers. Post time favorite Jumpingjoy, ridden by Aldo Arboleda, was never a factor and finished sixth, beaten more than 10 lengths.
This weekend, Albuquerque Downs will host trials for the $3 million All American Futurity as well as the All American Derby and All American Oaks. A total of 280 2-year-old quarter horses will take part in 28 trial heats on Friday and Saturday for the 440-yard Futurity, the richest and most prestigious quarter horse race in the country.
Sunday, eight trials will be held for the $1 million All American Derby while five trials will take place for the $700,000 All American Oaks. All three of those finals will be held over Labor Day weekend, the traditional closing day for the Ruidoso Downs season.