Ochoa, a $25,000 Ruidoso Select Sale yearling purchase in 2010, earned a $1.2 million winner’s purse in the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs on Monday, September 5.
Sent off as the 8-5 favorite, after posting the fastest time in the trials, the gelded son of Tres Seis broke sharply from the number nine post position and powered past the outside of the field to a one and one-half length win, in :21.05.
It was the first All American Futurity win for Roy Baldillez. Baldillez was catching riding Ochoa for seven-time All American winner Jacky Martin, who is paralyzed in an El Paso hospital, following a riding accident on Friday.
Veteran trainer Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath, who trains Ochoa for co-owners Johnny T.L. Jones, Katsy and Monty Cluck, and D. Benson, won the All American Futurity in 1990 with Refrigerator, and in 1983 with On A High.
Jess Send Me, a 17-1 shot and one of only two fillies in the field, finished second; Tess Cos, at 9-1 was third; and Lotta Love For Robyn, the other filly, at 9-2, finished fourth. The remaining runners, in order of finish following Lotta Love For Robyn: Lethal Volt, Jess Cuervo, Denver Pass, Big Daddy Cartel (DQ), Mr Ease 123, and Bills Last.