Triple Crown Report - MON. Sept 4th, 2023

For immediate release                            Contact:      Tim Keithley
                                                                                         575-937-4708
Mon. September 4th, 2023                                           tkeithley@raceruidoso.com

TRIPLE CROWN REPORT Presented by:

Cowboys Gun Z Wins All American Futurity At Ruidoso Downs Race Track Today

Cowboys Gun Z, a two-year-old gelding, broke sharply and extended in the final strides to a half-length victory in the Grace-1 $3 million All American Futurity today at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

Ridden by Augustin Silva of Albuquerque, the gelding won quarter horse racing’s richest race in a winning time of 21.574 seconds for 440-yards. It was a first-time Futurity win for Silva, veteran trainer Mike Joiner and West Texas Racing Partners.

“It’s a dream come true,” Silva said in the winner’s circle. “We all worked very hard with this horse to make him better when he stands in the starting gate. That hard work paid off today.”

Cowboys Gun Z is sired by Flying Cowboy 123 out of the mare Cf Smokin Gun by Tres Seis. The gelding was purchased last fall at the Ruidoso Select Sale for $125,000, and paid $33.00, $8.80 and $3.20 in winning for the second time in four career starts.

Trane Station V finished second in the Futurity, and heavily-favored and undefeated Dark NME finished third.

In the Grade-1 $250,000 All American Gold Cup for older quarter horses, 2021 All American Futurity Champion KJ Desparado broke alertly and bested the field by a neck over Flash Bak and Bomb Cyclone.

KJ Desparado extends his record as the all-time earnings leader in quarter horse racing history with approximately $3 million won in purse money. The gelding won for the 14th time in 20 career starts for owners John and Kathy Lee, Reuben Mares and trainer Wes Giles.

“Since the first time I raced this horse I knew he was great,” jockey Adrian Ramos said. “This race track is home for him and he has so much support here—today was a blessing.”

The gelding is sired by Apollitical Jess out of the mare Tres Veses by Tres Seis. KJ Desparado paid $4.20, $2.60 and $2.10 in a winning time of 21.500 seconds for 440-yards.

The Grade-1 $200,000 All American Juvenile was won by Visa and jockey Bryan Candanosa covering the 440-yards in 21.965 seconds.

Visa is owned by Simmons Racing, Wootan Racing and Roger Beasley and trained by Toby Keeton. The colt is sired by Corona Cartel out of the thoroughbred mare Cashcheckorcharge by the thoroughbred sire Will Take Charge.

Visa paid $11.20, $6.40 and $4.60 and ran the 440-yard course in 21.965 seconds.