The Marksman V, ridden by Francisco Calderon, goes wire-to-wire for a 1 3/4-length victory in the $832,707 Ruidoso Derby [G1].

© Victoria Salazar/Ruidoso Down

RUIDOSO, NM–JUNE 8, 2024–The Marksman V led the $832,707 Ruidoso Quarter Horse Derby [G1] from wire-to-wire on Saturday at Ruidoso Downs with an impressive 1 3/4-length victory.

Today's 400-yard victory was The Marksman V's second from two starts in 2024, the other being his Derby trial. He won his trial heat to the Texas Classic Juvenile Stakes in 2023 but returned for place in the finals. The three-time winner now has $382,468 in career earnings after cashing in the $349,737 winner's share of the purse.

Valeriano Racing Stables LLC bred and owns The Marksman V in Oklahoma. He is out of Bellissima Chocolata by Valiant Hero and trained by Heath Taylor.

It was a fast break for Mystic Paint, with Ramiro Garcia in the irons, but the three-year-old colt just couldn't gain on The Marksman V, so he settled for second. The fastest qualifier from the trials has three career wins with $203,877 in the bank.

Although Mystic Paint has yet to win a stakes race, he is a five-time finalist, including second in the Black Gold Colts and Geldings Futurity and third in the OHA Mystery Futurity [G2] from his freshman campaign.

Breeder Cavenaugh Quarter Horses of Oklahoma sold the son of Pyc Paint Your Wagon for $43,000 to his current owner, William Harned, in the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Mystic Paint is out of Jess So Sixy by Mr Jess Perry.

Dashing Tres, piloted by Bryan Candanosa, made a clean trip to the wire for third. The three-time winner trained by Toby Keeton has earned $174,480 for his owner/breeder Bob McClure. The son of Tempting Dash is out of Sissys Tres Girl by Tres Seis.

Wired 440, Vegas Trick, Lets Leave, Trump This Record, Aj Precious Jewel and Mr Cartel Jess round out the order of finish.