Political Twist, King of the Tide square off in All American Derby trials at Downs of ABQ
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
(Albuquerque, NM) Two famous three-year-old quarter horses that finished one-two in last year’s running of the $3 million All American Futurity will meet again for the first time during Sunday’s trials for the$1 million All American Derby for three-year-olds at 440-yards.
Political Twist, the 2025 AQHA Champion two-year-old that just won the Rainbow Derby July 11 at the Downs of Albuquerque, is number-three in the tenth trial. King of the Tide, last year’s All American Futurity champion, is number-four in the same race.
“It’s not going to be easy,” jockey Ricky Ramirez said about King of the Tide’s chances to beat his rival on Sunday. “We’ve seen how good Political Twist was in the Rainbow final. He’s on top of his game right now.”
King of the Tide raced for the first time as a three-year-old in trials for the New Mexico-bred Zia Derby on July 4 in Albuquerque. The gelding broke slowly but recovered to finish third with Ramirez in the saddle.
The champion quarter horses have completely opposite racing styles. Political Twist is known for his lightning-fast break while King of the Tide is known for come-from-behind speed in the final hundred-yards of a 440-yard race.
“This is going to be fun,” Javier Rodriguez said. He’s co-owner of Political Twist with Ray Willis and owner of La Feliz Montana Ranch in Hondo. “The objective is to qualify for the Derby final. If both horses qualify for the Labor Day, that would be amazing.”
There will be eight derby trials on Sunday, along with five trials for the $700,000 All American Oaks for three-year-old fillies going 440-yards. The top-ten fastest times will qualify for the finals of both Grade-1 races scheduled to be run on Sunday, Sept. 6.
This weekend races in Albuquerque also features trials for the Grade-1 $3 million All American Futurity for two-year-old quarter horses going 440-yards. There will be fourteen trials on Friday and Saturday, Aug 7-8, with the top-five fastest quarter horses both days advancing to the final Monday, Sept. 7.
Suspension: Sammy Valeriano of Odessa, Texas, owner of Valeriano Racing Stables, has been summarily suspended by the New Mexico Racing Commission effective July 30, 2026 for “conduct detrimental to racing”. A hearing has been scheduled on the matter Thursday, August 6 at 3 p.m. in Albuquerque. Valeriano’s two-year-old quarter horses were not allowed to enter the All American Futurity trials by racing stewards, and a decision will be made at the hearing by the racing commission as to whether Valeriano’s three-year-old quarter horses will be allowed to compete in the All American Oaks and Derby trials on Sunday.