RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 1, 2017—Johnny Trotter’s Bodacious Eagle made an incredible run after leaping into the air at the start to win the Grade 3, $50,000 Higheasterjet Handicap on Saturday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

Earlier on the program, Maxx won the $48,510 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge (see related story).

Bodacious Eagle, in the 10th post position, made a surprising leap in the air as the gates opened and nearly unseated the athletic jockey Ricky Ramirez.

"He was back in the gate and went forward just as the gate opened," said Ramirez. "I want to see the replay, but when we landed I know I only had my toe in a stirrup."

Then the stewards became involved in the action behind Bodacious Eagle. Docs First Fire, in the eighth post position, crossed the finish line in second place, one-half length behind Bodacious Eagle, and was disqualified. Sam Crow, in the seventh post position, crossed the finish line in a dead heat for third with Apollitical Ok. Sam Crow was disqualified.

Therefore, Apollitical Ok was awarded second place and Silk Cartel was moved up to third place.

Bodacious Eagle was timed in :17.364 for the 350 yards, a 99 speed index into a 2 mph crosswind.

The day belonged to Bodacious Eagle and Ramirez’s memorable ride.

Bodacious Eagle came to Ruidoso Downs after an unbeaten spring at Remington Park for trainer Trey Wood. The gelding won the Grade 2, $50,000 Eastex Stakes by a dominating one-and-one-half lengths and then won the Grade 1, $100,000 Leo Stakes by a neck over Zoomin Effortlessly at the Oklahoma City track.

"He’s been my favorite since he was born," said owner Trotter, who purchased Bodacious Eagle as an embryo. "He’s a champion. He qualified for the Ruidoso, Rainbow and All American futurities here (at Ruidoso Downs).

"He then went to Los Alamitos and qualified for the Los Alamitos Two Million."

Bodacious Eagle has won 11 of 23 starts and earned $792,549.

Trainer Wood said that Bodacious Eagle is on top of his game right now as a five-year-old. The well-balanced, strapping son of leading sire One Famous Eagle is "just a good horse," said Wood. "He loves being on the outside (in the starting gate). The next goal is the All American Gold Cup."

Bodacious Eagle could also race in the Grade 2, $50,000 Mr Jet Moore Handicap on August 5.

Following the double disqualification, Apollitical Ok picked up $10,000 for second-place to boost his earnings to $208,254. Joel Valeriano, Jr. saddled the Apollitical Jess 4-year-old for owners Joel Martinez and Oscar Dominguez.

Apollitical Ok was fourth behind Bodacious Eagle in the Leo Stakes and then third in the $50,000 Bob Moore Stakes. The $15,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale purchase, was third in the 2016 $1-million Ruidoso Derby. Bred in Oklahoma by James and Marilyn Helzer, Apollitical Ok is out of the multiple stakes-producing Fishers Dash mare Taka Puna. Sergio Becerra, Jr. was up.

Valeriano also saddled third-place finisher Silk Cartel, a daughter of leading sire Corona Cartel from the Panther Mountain mare Silk Mountain. Bonifacio Quiroz rode the Oklahoma homebred for owner/breeder Valeriano Racing Stables, LLC. The $5,000 third-place payday brings the gray filly's earnings to $31,504.

Silk Cartel came off a one-length win in a conditioned optional-claiming race. The Corona Cartel-sired filly gained her first stakes-placed performance.

Completing the official order of finish were Perrys Stamina, Valiant Rogue, Jm Apollo, Memphis D Nasty, Stevie B First Cash, Docs First Fire and Sam Crow.

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