Effortless Favorite delivered the biggest victory of his career Sunday at The Downs at Albuquerque, defeating a talented field of sophomores to win the Grade 1, $1,079,992 All American Derby.

The fourth-fastest qualifier was sent off at odds of 24-1 but proved best under jockey Francisco Ramirez Jr. Breaking from post three, Effortless Favorite quickly took command and inched clear before holding off Political Twist by 3/4 length. He covered the 440 yards in :20.866.

The victory also marked the first All American Derby win for Ramirez, who has been aboard Effortless Favorite throughout much of the gelding’s career.

“It’s been a dream since I was a little kid, since I was growing up,” Ramirez said. “It’s special to be part of a special team like that. I’m without words. I’m just thankful to be here. Thanks to God and thanks to the people who give me an opportunity to be here.”

Ramirez said the race unfolded exactly as he had hoped.

“It went great,” he said. “He got in the gate great. It couldn’t have gone any better.”

Owned by Tom Maher, Richard Tobin and Bill Maher and trained by Jason Olmstead, Effortless Favorite was bred by Wallace Johnson and is a $67,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. The gelding is by Favorite Cartel and out of the Corona Cartel mare Swingin Cartel. He is a half-brother to graded stakes winner Apollitical Scout ($380,952).

“They don’t give away these All American races,” Olmstead said in the winner’s circle. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to the horses and I’ve been trying for many years.”

It was also Olmstead’s first victory in an All American-series race.

Effortless Favorite has now won 10 of 15 career starts with three seconds and earnings of $630,785. The victory added another Grade 1 title to a résumé that includes last year’s Heritage Place Futurity (G1), as well as a victory in the All American Juvenile. He entered the All American Derby after finishing fourth in the Rainbow Derby (G1).

Second-fastest qualifier Political Twist finished second under Luis Martinez for La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Ray Willis and trainer Manuel Rodriguez. The accomplished gelding had a clear path but could not catch Effortless Favorite, with just a nose separating him from third-place finisher Gf Shes Sinful.

Bred by MJ Farms, Political Twist is a $150,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate by Apollitical Jess and out of the stakes-winning Tres Seis mare C Twister Seis. He entered Sunday riding a three-race winning streak and now has a record of 12-9-2-0 with earnings of $1,666,759. His résumé includes victories in the Rainbow Derby (G1), Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and West Texas Futurity (G2).

Fastest qualifier Gf Shes Sinful finished third under Noe Garcia Jr. for owner All In Partners and trainer Wesley Giles. The filly was bumped after the start before finishing just a nose behind Political Twist.

Bred by Kevin Birrell, Gf Shes Sinful is a $50,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate. The daughter of Dulce Sin Tacha is out of graded stakes winner Bf Fooserageous, by Foose. She now has a record of 10-6-2-1 with earnings of $574,038. Earlier this season, she won the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and entered the Aug. 9 trials following a runner-up finish in the Rainbow Oaks (G1).

Midnite Smokin finished fourth, followed by Mr High Five, Dr Stone Cold, Cyber Blues, Enforce and King of the Tide. The Diesel Train was scratched.

CSJ Ranch in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will add two accomplished young stallions to its roster for the 2027 breeding season, with Grade 3 stakes winner A Dream Fulfilled and Grade 1-placed Eagle Aye both entering stud next year.

A Dream Fulfilled will stand for a 2027 fee of $2,500 and Eagle Aye will stand for $2,000. Both include farm fees, mare reproductive evaluations, and palpations. Cooled, frozen, and shipped semen will be available. Both stallions are in the New Mexico-bred program.

A Dream Fulfilled

A Dream Fulfilled SI 102, a son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of the outstanding Tres Seis mare Answer The Dream, enters stud following a racing career in which he earned $110,365 from 13 starts. He won four races, including the John Andreini Memorial Stakes (G3) and All American Invitational Stakes, and finished third in the La Plata Stakes. He was also a finalist in the West Texas Maturity (G3) and La Fiesta Derby.

A Dream Fulfilled enjoyed stakes success at both 3 and 4. He captured the All American Invitational as a 3-year-old before returning at 4 this season to win the John Andreini Memorial (G3) and finish third in the La Plata Stakes.

The sorrel stallion brings a powerful combination of sire power and female family to the breeding shed.

His sire, Flying Cowboy 123 SI 101, was a two-time champion and winner of $965,811, including the Texas Classic Futurity (G1). Through September 3, Flying Cowboy 123 has sired 58 stakes winners and three champions from four crops of racing age, with progeny earnings of more than $23.7 million. His leading runners include two-time champion Cowboys Gun Z, two-time champion Lethal Cowboy 123, champion Flying Joy 1, Grade 1 winner Cowboys Flying and Grade 2 winner Cardiac Cowboy.

A Dream Fulfilled is out of Answer The Dream SI 99, a multiple stakes winner of $264,375 by Tres Seis. Answer The Dream won the Junos Request Stakes (G3) and Oklahoma Distaff Challenge and placed in the La Primera Del Ano Derby (G1), Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1), AQHA Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) and Charger Bar Handicap (G1).

Answer The Dream has developed into an exceptional producer whose runners include Dreams Divine SI 96, winner of $408,209 and the Los Alamitos Oaks (G3); Dreamsville SI 98, winner of $274,577 and the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby (RG2); Splendid Cause SI 99, winner of $167,584; and A Dream To Fill SI 103, winner of $119,202.

The family has also produced some of the sport's most accomplished runners. Answer The Dream's daughter Treasured Dreams is the dam of FDD Dreams SI 108, a World Champion and earner of more than $2.18 million whose victories include the All American Derby (G1), Texas Classic Futurity (G1), Ruidoso Derby (G1), and Champion of Champions (G1).

A Dream Fulfilled is owned by Noel Rivera and CSJ Ranch.

Eagle Aye

Joining him at CSJ Ranch will be Eagle Aye SI 103, a Grade 1-placed son of leading sire One Famous Eagle out of Miss Aguilar, by Tres Seis.

The bay stallion earned $168,647 during a 17-start career. A three-time winner, Eagle Aye placed in three stakes, headed by a third-place finish in the Ruidoso Derby (G1). He also finished third in the La Fiesta Derby and Hobbs America Derby Invitational Stakes and was a finalist in the Championship at Sunland Park (G1) and West Texas Futurity (G2).

Eagle Aye won three races at 2 and was twice third while qualifying for the West Texas Futurity (G2). At 3, he registered five third-place finishes, including his Grade 1 placing in the Ruidoso Derby, before returning at 4 this season to finish second and qualify to the Championship at Sunland Park (G1).

Eagle Aye is by leading sire One Famous Eagle SI 101, the champion 3-year-old colt and $1,387,453 earner whose victories included the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1). One Famous Eagle has established an international sire legacy with 94 stakes winners, 10 champions, and progeny earnings approaching $42 million through September 3. His champions include World Champions One Dashing Eagle and Bodacious Eagle, and champions Imperial Eagle and Hotstepper.

Eagle Aye's dam, Miss Aguilar SI 93, is a stakes-placed daughter of Tres Seis who earned $94,021 and finished third in the Retama Park Derby (G3). She was also a finalist in the Sam Houston Futurity (G2), Junos Request Stakes (G2), and Decketta Stakes (G3).

Miss Aguilar has produced eight winners from 10 starters, including Eagle Aye and Mperativ SI 98, an earner of $125,552 who was a Grade 1-finalist in both the Ruidoso Derby and All American Oaks.

The female family adds another strong layer to Eagle Aye's credentials. His second dam is First Dashin Bye SI 109, a nine-time winner from 12 starts who earned $449,170. She won the Delta Downs Louisiana-Bred Derby (RG1), LQHBA Lassie Futurity (RG2), Mardi Gras Derby (RG3), and Louisiana Purchase Stakes (RG3).

First Dashin Bye also produced Ivan James SI 104, winner of $481,562 and the Sam Houston Futurity (G2), along with stakes winners First Dashin Perry SI 109 and The Golden Bowl SI 105.

Eagle Aye is owned by CSJ Ranch.

A Dream Fulfilled and Eagle Aye will join Inseperable and Bella Faccia, standing at CSJ Ranch, 5789 Maplewood Lane SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121. Breeders can contact the ranch at (505) 319-2302 or csjranch@yahoo.com for additional information.

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Shakers No Secret added another graded stakes victory to his record Friday night with a determined win in the $58,718 AQHA Retama Park Championship Challenge (G3).

Ridden by Raul Ramirez Jr., Shakers No Secret broke sharply from the outside before moving into second and taking command late. The six-year-old gelding drove clear to defeat Im A Pretty Mess by a half-length, completing 440 yards in :21.869 for a 104 speed index.

Shakers No Secret is owned by Abel Lopez, Ethan Lopez and Manny Dutchover and trained by Marc Jungers. Bred by Garlyn Shelton, the $14,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate is sired by Five Bar Cartel and out of the No Secrets Here mare Shaker Secret.

Coming off a victory in the King William Stakes (G3) in June, Shakers No Secret improved his record to 42-12-10-6. The $28,185 winner's share boosted his career earnings to $893,110.

The accomplished gelding's stakes record also includes victories in the Championship at Sunland Park (G1), AQHA Challenge Championship Stakes (G1) and West Texas Maturity (G3).

Im A Pretty Mess finished second under J.R. Ramirez Jr. The three-year-old filly broke sixth but quickly surged to the front and led into the final stages before being overtaken by Shakers No Secret. She completed the distance in :21.963 for a 102 speed index.

Owned by SLC Racing LLC and trained by Shae Cox, Im A Pretty Mess was bred by Joshua Henderson and is a $24,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate. She is sired by Tarzanito and out of the One Famous Eagle mare Eagle Diva. Her female family includes Dam of Distinction Jess Sass Me ($110,503) and champions Jess Walking Thru ($447,266) and Sass Me Blue ($296,378).

Im A Pretty Mess now has a record of 6-2-1-1 with earnings of $35,504.

Eagles Up crossed the wire in third under Luis Vivanco. The four-year-old colt raced fifth early before making a bid and improving to third, finishing in :22.069 for a 98 speed index.

Owned and bred by Jumonville Farms and trained by Marc Jungers, Eagles Up sold for $32,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale before later bringing $75,000 at the Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale. He is sired by champion One Famous Eagle and out of the winning Walk Thru Fire mare U R Blue.

Eagles Up is a half-brother to Mardi Gras Derby winner Jess U R Blue ($147,791), while his second dam is world champion and four-time champion Blues Girl Too ($2,032,328). He now has a record of 16-5-3-4 with earnings of $176,240.

Still seeking his first stakes victory, Eagles Up has placed in several major events, including runner-up honors in the EVD Futurity (G2) and third-place finishes in the EVD Derby and Sam Houston Derby (G3).

Dr Pepper 123 finished fourth, followed by Defours in fifth. Klass Action and Sightseeing Beauty dead-heated for sixth, followed by Apollitical Jackie.

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The final day of the Sandy Ridge Racing meet promises a memorable Sunday afternoon, with a stakes-packed 10-race program bringing the season to a close. First post is set for 1:30 p.m., and the card will build toward three major events: the $266,250 BOCO Futurity, the $165,600 Bluegrass Derby, and the fourth running of the $75,000 Cherokee Overnight Stakes.

The spotlight will shine brightest on the 2-year-olds in race eight, where a field of 10 qualifiers will line up for the $266,250 BOCO Futurity. The juveniles earned their places in the final in the August 19 trial heats and will return to battle over 350 yards at approximately 6:11 p.m.

Fastest qualifier Shesainnocentpiloto, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, leads the field after another impressive performance in the trials. The filly broke sharply and held on to win her heat by a half-length, posting the fastest qualifying time and extending her winning streak to three races.

Shesainnocentpiloto has yet to finish outside the top four in five career starts, with three victories, a second, and a fourth, earning $41,820 for owner Jorge Antonio Silva.

The daughter of Hes Innocent is out of Famous Flying Piloto, by Mr Piloto, and was bred in Louisiana by Grant Farms, LLC. Trainer Jose Estrada will send the talented filly from post three, with jockey Adrian X. Morales aboard.

Inside will be the 7-2 second choice, Nachos Secret, who secured his place in the final with a determined gate-to-wire trial victory by a nose. The gelding entered the trials after a narrow runner-up finish in the $34,000 Mari Hulman George Overnight Stakes, where he was beaten only a head.

Through four career starts, Nachos Secret has recorded one win and two runner-up finishes. The son of Habits Secret is out of Favorite Sissy, by Favorite Cartel, and was bred in Indiana by his owner-trainer, Ricardo Martinez. Regular rider Martin Munoz will return aboard from post two.

Before the juveniles take center stage, an accomplished group of sophomores will compete in race seven for the $165,600 Bluegrass Derby. A field of 10 3-year-olds will run 400 yards, with an approximate post time of 5:36 p.m.

Aj Remember Me brings Grade 1 credentials and an undefeated sophomore campaign into the Bluegrass Derby as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. The colt is perfect three-for-three this season, highlighted by a victory in the Grade 3, $260,000 Oklahoma Derby.

His résumé was already impressive before his 3-year-old season began. At two, Aj Remember Me finished second in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity and third in both the Ah Sigh Handicap and the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity. He enters Sunday with six wins from 10 career starts and $565,232 in earnings.

Owner Corinna Sosa purchased Aj Remember Me for $120,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale. The son of Apollitical Jess is out of Remember Robyn, by Tres Seis, and was bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto, Inc. With championship-level experience already under his belt, the talented colt will aim to keep his perfect sophomore season intact in one of the afternoon's most anticipated races.

The stakes action continues in race nine with the fourth running of the $75,000 Cherokee Overnight Stakes, where nine older runners will stretch out to the classic quarter-mile distance of 440 yards.

Socially Fun has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite after a strong allowance victory on the Sandy Ridge surface. The 5-year-old mare delivered a determined driving finish to prevail by a half-length and will now try to carry that momentum into stakes company.

The seasoned mare has earned four victories, one second, and three third-place finishes, for a total of $68,741. Socially Fun is by FDD Dynasty and out of the Corona Cartel mare Socially Significant. Bred in Oklahoma by Regina Laymon, she races for owner Joel Rod Pierce and trainer Samuel E. Valdivia. Roman Cruz returns to ride from post eight.

From proven Grade 1 talent in the Bluegrass Derby to rising juvenile stars chasing one of the meet's richest prizes in the BOCO Futurity, Sunday's closing-day program has all the ingredients for a thrilling finale.

Labor Day weekend racing at Sandy Ridge will come to a close with big purses, talented fields, and one final afternoon for the meet's top contenders to leave their mark.

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