RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JUNE 10, 2017—Making just his second start this season, champion Imperial Eagle ran down early leader B D Illusion to win the $100,000 Mr Jess Perry Stakes by a neck Saturday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

Ridden by jockey Esgar Ramirez, Imperial Eagle completed the 400 yards in :19.845 seconds into a 7-mph headwind. It was the seventh career in 11 starts for last year's AQHA Racing Champion 2-Year-Old. The $42,000 Mr Jess Perry winners' purse boosted his career earnings total to $1,763,907.

Trainer Tony Sedillo conditions the California-bred son of leading sire One Famous Eagle for owners Charles and Christina Robinson. Freda Draper bred the gray gelding from the multiple graded winning Genuine Strawfly mare Jenuine Joy.

"B D Illusion had him 50 yards from the wire," said Imperial Eagle's trainer Tony Sedillo. "But, Imperial Eagle likes 440 yards and was able to get up for the win."

Imperial Eagle was upset as the 1-2 favorite in his Ruidoso Derby trial. He finished third behind Ruidoso Derby qualifiers Corona Carmelita and One Hot Habit.

"I thought he was ready for that race (the trial), but he ran a little flat," said Sedillo. "He probably needed that race."

A $48,000 Ruidoso Select Super Select Sale purchase, Imperial Eagle earned his championship honors with a neck win over The Marfa Lights in the Grade 1, $3-million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs. He then went on to win the Grade 1, $200,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship and the $200,000 Sunland Park Winter Juvenile.

He is expected to make his next start in trials for the $1 million-est. Rainbow Derby next month at Ruidoso Downs.

B D Illusion drifted out under jockey Rodrigo Vallejo getting caught at the wire by Imperial Eagle. AQHA Racing Champion trainer Judd Kearl saddled the son of Bodacious Dash for owners Bennie and Terri Jeter. Bred in Texas by Johnny Trotter, B D Illusion earned $18,000 to boost his earnings total to $27,183. The sorrel gelding is out of the Special Effort mare Effortless Illusion.

Trainer Mike Joiner saddled C Twister Seis to her third-place effort for owner/breeder Randy Smith. Champion jockey G.R. Carter, Jr. rode the New Mexico-bred daughter of Tres Seis from the FDD Dynasty mare D E Bella Vita. She earned $10,000 for the effort.

Completing the Mr Jess Perry field were Magnificent Jess, Master O Distraction, Murcielago, Mighty Valiantime, Muddy Watters, Blazin Eagle and Always Ifs.

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