One Tough Dude was not deterred by a muddy track, when he raced to a new 300-yard track record of :15.019 while winning the sixth race at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday, June 28. The previous track record of :15.050 was set by Special Task Force in 2006.
Ridden by Cody Jensen for trainer Paul Jones, One Tough Dude drew out to a two-length victory.
Owned and bred by Ed Calvert, the 3-year-old gelded son of Corona Cartel was making his first start at 300 yards. He had placed second in two 400-yard races at Sunland Park, then finished sixth in his 400-yard Ruidoso Derby trial. It was his second career win.
First Klas Fred chases $4 million in Rainbow Futurity trials on Thursday
Ruidoso Futurity winner First Klas Fred will start in the 14th of 20 trials to the Grade 1, $625,000 Rainbow Futurity on Thursday, July 2 at Ruidoso Downs.
Owned by Denis and Julie Schoenhofer, First Klas Fred stands a chance to win a $4-million All American Triple Crown bonus, if he can follow his Ruidoso Futurity victory with wins in both the Rainbow Futurity and the $2 million All American Futurity.
The 20 Rainbow Futurity trials, with a total of 192 entries, mark a significant increase over last year’s 14 trials and necessitated a special early first post time. The Rainbow Futurity will be held on July 19.