TRIPLE CROWN CONTENDERS OUT FOR A JOG THIS MORNING AT RUIDOSO DOWNS RACE TRACK

Both Jess Savin Candy and Empressum, the two quarter horses that will be attempting to win a triple crown in the All American Futurity and Derby, both made appearances on the race track this morning at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

Empressum was the first to make a trip to the race track with trainer Heath Taylor on a pony horse nearby. The three-year-old is the 4-5 favorite to win the $939,225 All American Derby on Sunday. He stepped quietly in the starting gate with good measure and then took a light jog on the track.

“Everything went as planned,” Taylor said afterward. “We’re attempting to stick to a routine with him. He’s a very easy horse to train and prepare and he seems to be right on track.”

Soon after it was Jess Savin Candy’s turn in the starting gate along with a quick jog on the race track with rider Francisco Calderon aboard. The two-year-old races in the $3 Million All American Futurity on Monday as the 7-5 morning line favorite. If the gelding wins, it would mark the first two-year-old triple crown in 40 years dating back to Special Effort in 1981.

“Time to get the boy ready,” trainer John Stinebaugh said. “I thought he looked awesome. He’s pretty loose right now but still looked sharp. He’s paying attention.”

This is the final weekend of live horse racing for the season at Ruidoso Downs with races scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. First post is at Noon each day.