For immediate release                            Contact:     Tim Keithley
                                                                                        575-937-4708
Saturday, June 6th, 2026                                  tkeithley@raceruidoso.com

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Highly Lethal V Breaks Track Record, Wins $1 Million Ruidoso Futurity At Downs of Albuquerque

(Albuquerque, NM) Highly Lethal V, a two-year-old gelding bred in Oklahoma, broke the track record for 350-yards in winning the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity Sunday at the Downs of Albuquerque.

With jockey Francisco Calderon aboard, Highly Lethal V scored a one-length victory in a time of 16.886 seconds. The previous record was 16.927 seconds set by Apolliperfection in June of 2019.

“He broke sharp,” Calderon said in the winner’s circle. “I felt a horse coming after me, but then I wrapped up on him and he just exploded.”

The gelding is sired by Apollitical Jess out of the mare Lethal Class (Tres Seis) and trained by Raymond Valerio for owner-breeder Sammy Valeriano. Backers received $6.60, $4.20 and $3.40. Lethal Wind and jockey Noe Garcia Jr. finished second, and Ask Her To Fly with jockey Ramiro Garcia ran third.

Highly Lethal V has won two out of three starts. Valeriano said a decision will be made about whether the gelding will compete in the Rainbow Futurity trials later this month in Albuquerque.

In the 100,000 Ruidoso Juvenile Stakes, Indefensible, a California bred, and jockey Sergio Becerra Jr. won a photo finish by a head over Mr. Roosevelt and jockey Gilberto Linares to win in a time of 17.258 seconds for 350-yards. Promising and jockey Jose Enriquez ran third.

“When we crossed the finish line I thought I was in front by just a little bit,” Becerra said in the winner’s circle. It was a close one. I think this horse will improve with more distance.”

Indefensible is owned by Gastroprotect Racing (Arnoldo Armenta) and trained by Omar Vargas. The colt remains undefeated in two career attempts. He is sired by Favorite Cartel out of the mare Indeed a Delight (Wave Carver).

Racing continues at the Downs of Albuquerque next weekend when the New Mexico-bred Mountain Top Futurity and Mountain Top Derby stakes races are scheduled. Post time will be 6:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

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