Ochoa works at Ruidoso Downs

Champion and All American Futurity winner Ochoa made what could be his final serious preparation for his seasonal debut when he worked 220 yards from the Ruidoso Downs’ gate this morning.

Ochoa could make his first start since winning the All American Futurity on Labor Day in the trials to the Grade 1, $800,000 (est.) Ruidoso Derby on Saturday, May 26 at Ruidoso Downs.

The summer racing season at Ruidoso Downs starts on Friday, May 25 with the daylong trials to the Grade 1, $600,000 Ruidoso Futurity.

“He’s been doing really well and we’re looking at the Ruidoso Derby trials,” said trainer Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath.

Ochoa, a gelded son of Tres Seis, made each of his four career starts last summer at Ruidoso Downs. He was third in the Grade 1, $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity after a troubled start and then dominated the Grade 1, $2,400,000 All American Futurity by one-and-one-half length as the 8-5 favorite.

The 2011 champion two-year-old and two-year-old gelding, Ochoa has started four times with three wins and earnings of $1,244,200.

For further information about racing at Ruidoso Downs, go to www.raceruidoso.com and follow Ruidoso Press Box (@RuiPressBox) for updates via Twitter.

-30-