Mark’s Warrior, Bella Dona Win Rio Grande Senor and Senorita Futurities at Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Mark’s Warrior, a two-year-old gelding, came from sixth place in the stretch to get up in time and win the $116,386 Rio Grande Senor Thoroughbred Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Race Track on Sunday.
“I was waiting for room,” Jockey Alfredo Sigala said in the winner’s circle. “I knew I had plenty of horse underneath me and we just needed a hole. One opened up and that’s why we’re in the winner’s circle.”
The gelding is owned by Dale Taylor and trained by Todd Fincher who saddled five horses in the race. Bettors made Mark’s Warrior a 24-1 longshot in the seventh race and the horse paid $50.00, $17.60 and $11.40 in a winning time of 1:05.94 seconds for five-and-a-half furlongs.
Mark’s Warrior’s sire is Marking out of the mare Key to My Warrior by Majestic Warrior. It’s the first win for the youngster in four opportunities.
In the ninth race, even-money favorite Bella Dona did not disappoint by coasting home a four-and-a-quarter-length winner in the $124,849 Rio Grande Senorita Thoroughbred Futurity.
“She gave me about three jumps heading for home,” jockey Jimmy Coates said. “Other than that she was messing around out there. She has so much natural speed—she’s fast.”
Bella Dona paid $4.20, $3.00 and $3.00 in a winning time of 1:05.06 seconds for five-and-a-half furlongs. The filly is undefeated in three starts with earnings of approximately $75,000. The filly’s sire is Attila’s Storm out of the mare Charlotte’s Drone by B.G.’s Drone.
Racing continues at Ruidoso Downs next weekend with trials for the $3 million All American Futurity, $929,225 All American Oaks, and $439,884 All American Oaks. First post time for Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be Noon.