Separate Bet could take a big step towards the world championship when he puts his undefeated 2007 record on the line in the Grade 1, $504,000 All American Derby on Sunday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs. The 7-5 morning-line favorite has been perfect for 5-time defending national champion trainer Paul Jones this summer, with four wins from four starts.

The gray Separatist-sired gelding started this season by setting a Ruidoso Downs 400-yard record of :19.18, in his return from a winter’s rest. Jones brought Separate Bet back in the trials to the Grade 1, $448,000 Rainbow Derby and he qualified while winning his trial by more than two lengths, then cruised through the Derby finals by an equally large margin.

He maintained his form in the All American Derby trials, when he won with the fastest qualifying time. Dont Let Down and Valiant Hero, with the second and third-fastest times, ran in the same trial.

Separate Bet starts from the sixth post position under jockey Freddie Martinez. Dont Let Down won the Grade 1 Dash For Cash Futurity at Lone Star Park last fall and was second to Valiant Hero in the Grade 2 Heritage Place Derby in June. Valiant Hero, a sale-topping $500,000 yearling purchase at the Ruidoso Select Quarter Horse Yearling Sale and winner of the $1 million Texas Classic Futurity, has earnings of $643,398.