July 21, 2018, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico

Political Attraction, trained by Josue Ponce for Rogelio Marquez Jr. and Kathy Robinson, Claremore, Okla., survived an extended inquiry and rider’s objection to win the $750,000 Rainbow Derby by one length over Hes Limitless. Ridden by James Flores, the 8-5 favorite covered 440 yards in :21.092, the fastest time of the current meet.

“I was a little surprised at the inquiry,” said Flores. “I looked over and never saw another horse and I didn’t hear another horse.”

The inquiry and an objection by Papaws Paint’s rider Bonifacio Perez was raised because at one point Political Attraction moved close to Papaws Paint. But an isolation shot from a video camera showed that Political Attraction never touched Papaws Paint.

A gelded son of Apollitical Jess, Political Attraction, winner of the $283,000 Black Gold Futurity and the $214,000 Speedhorse Futurity, was a $40,000 supplement to the Rainbow Derby, which paid $336,657 for his win.

Runner-up Hes Limitless, a gelding by Corona Cartel, was making his first stakes appearance since finishing fourth in the $3,000,000 All American Futurity last September. The John Stinebaugh-trained gelding, ridden by Agustin Silva, is owned by Jack Smith Farms, Comber, Ontario, and also finished second in the $100,000 Rainbow Futurity Juvenile.

Papaws Paint, a gelding by Pyc Paint Your Wagon, trained by Todd Fincher for RH Resources, Graham, Tex., won last fall’s $202,000 Hobbs America Futurity.

Jess Move You, winner of the $795,000 Ruidoso Derby on June 9th, was sent off at odds of 7-2 in the Rainbow, but finished seventh following a poor start.