RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 21, 2018—Rogelio Marquez Jr. and Kathy Robinson's Political Attraction survived an extended inquiry and rider's objection to win the Grade 1, $801,564 Rainbow Derby on Saturday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

Political Attraction raced the 440 yards in :21.092, the fastest time of the meet, to defeat Hes Limitless by one length. It was another three quarters of a length back to third-place finisher Papaws Paint.

The James A. Flores-ridden Political Attraction started well from the second post position and then moved out under left-handed urging. Flores immediately switched back to the right hand with the whip and Political Attraction ran straight.

The inquiry by the stewards and an objection by Papaw Paint's jockey Bonifacio Perez was raised since Political Attraction moved close to Papaws Paint. An isolation shot from a video camera showed that Pollitical Attraction never touched Pawpaws Paint.

"I was a little surprised at the inquiry," said Flores. "I looked over and never saw another horse and I didn't hear another horse."

Political Attraction, trained by Josue Ponce, was the owners' first horse to compete at Ruidoso Downs and they paid $40,000 to supplement him to the Rainbow Derby trials. The gamble paid off since the winner's share is $336,657.

The owners left the option of racing the Apollitical Jess-sired gelding in the trials to the Grade 1 $1,000,000 (est.) All American Derby on August 19 for another day. "We'll wait and let the horse tell us," said Marquez.

While Political Attraction and his owners are new to Ruidoso Downs, they are familiar to Oklahoma racing. The gelding won last year's $214,000 Speedhorse Futurity and $283,00 Black Gold 350 Futurity. In May, he won the $70,000 Boyd Morris Memorial Handicap at Remington Park in his start before coming to Ruidoso Downs.

A $10,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate, Political Attraction is out of the Separatist mare Gunsight Peak. Bred in Oklahoma by Ron Lyles, the 3-year-old has earned $676,563.

A $105,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale repurchase, runner-up Hes Limitless races for owner Jack Smith Farms. The son of leading living sire Corona Cartel is out of the champion Desirio filly Pj Chick In Black, also trained by John Stinebaugh.

D. Bowen, S. Taylor and Jack Smith Farms bred the brown gelding in Oklahoma. Hes Limitless picked up $144,282 for today's effort, pushing his lifetime mark to $372,777. Agustin Silva had the riding assignment.

Trainer Todd Fincher saddled third-place finisher Papaws Paint for owner R H Resources. Bonifacio Perez rode the son of leading sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon from the Splash Bac mare Heavenly Cause. Bred in Oklahoma by Ray Herring, Papaws Paint won last year's Grade 2 Hobbs America Futurity at Zia Park.

Papaws Paint earned $80,156 in the Rainbow Derby final to bring his earnings mark to more than $208,000.

Grade 1 Ruidoso Derby winner Jess Move You tossed his head at the start and was never a factor after the poor start. He rallied to save seventh place.

The complete order of finish from fourth-place on was Hotstepper, Df Aj Green Leaves, Hawkeye, Jess Move You, Sixes Crystal, Piloto Strong and Flight Force.

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