Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free Press Jockey Ramon Sanchez raises his fist in triumph after leading One Dashing Eagle to an unchallenged victory in the All American Futurity, Monday, at Ruidoso Downs.
Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free Press One Dashing Eagle was the first to be led to the paddock from the backside at Ruidoso Downs Monday, and was the first to cross the finish line in this year’s All American Futurity.
Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free Press Jose De La Torre, trainer for One Dashing Eagle, is seen texting news of his horse’s victory in this year’s All American Futurity, Monday, at Ruidoso Downs.
Todd Fuqua/Ruidoso Free Press One Dashing Eagle, with jockey Ramon Sanchez on board, is all decked out after winning the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.
But if any horse could do it Monday, it was One Dashing Eagle. The colt didn’t just win the $1.2 million winner’s share, he was first all the way, from the time he was brought to the paddock to when he crossed the wire.
“It was super impressive,” said trainer Jose De La Torre. “To win this kind of race, you don’t have the words to describe it. You don’t qualify often, and when you do it, it’s so amazing, you can’t explain it.”
One Dashing Eagle broke first from the gate and drifted a bit, but jockey Ramon Sanchez was able to keep him just ahead of the field for the victory.
“He ducked in the first couple of jumps, I had to pull him around and get him straight,” Sanchez said. “Then he got momentum and got the win.”
It was a wire-to-wire victory, one that was impressive to everyone involved.
“You take a horse that nice and give him that kind of lead at the start, it’s over,” said Cody Jensen, who rode Native Tea Rose to a fourth-place finish. “His race was won right there.”
The All American win was the first for 37-year-old De La Torre, who also co-owns the horse in partnership with Gustavo De La Torre and Gregorio Racing Stables. Whether he wins more isn’t really his concern. He’s just happy to have this one.
“Not a lot of trainers get to win the All American,” De La Torre said.
De La Torre brought One Dashing Eagle to the paddock first, way before any of the other horses began making their appearance through the tunnel leading to the track’s backside.
That gave him plenty of time to get the colt acclimated to the atmosphere, and it may inform how he does things in the future.
“We’re way back out there, and we never heard the call to the paddock, but I wanted to get out there first anyway,” De La Torre. “I got there a little bit early, but that probably helped us. We got him to relax in the little bit, and now we’re here. I’m real superstitious. I wanted to come here first, and we finished first.”
Speaking of the future, De La Torre is pointing One Dashing Eagle to the Golden State Futurity, but nothing else the colt does will change the trainer’s opinion of him.
“We’re happy right now and will go for the Golden State, but we got the All American. That’s a big accomplishment,” De La Torre said. “I don’t think he needs to prove himself anymore.”
One Dashing Eagle made it look easy by dashing to a record breaking $2.4 million victory during the 54th All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino. The winners take is $1.2 million.
One Dashing Eagle hammered the field of favorites, leaving 3-5 gate favorite PJ Chick in Black in 6th place dust.One Dashing Eagle was ridden by Ramon Sanchez, followed by Sudden Thoughts ridden by Rodrigo Aceves and rounding up the trifecta was Aha Moment mounted by Saul Ramirez, Jr..
Also ran: 3 - Native Tea Rose , 2 - Just Wanna Corona , 8 - Pj Chick in Black , 9 - Bp Cartels Alibi , 4 - Mr Perry Cartel , 7 - Krash Cartel