Racing


New News Wins the John Andreini Memorial Stakes at Ruidoso Downs
New News, under jockey Jaime Leos, winning the $40,000 John Andreini Memorial Stakes at Ruidoso Downs Race Track on Monday.

© Jake Rogers / Ruidoso Downs
New News Wins the John Andreini Memorial Stakes at Ruidoso Downs

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—MAY 25, 2020—New News made a little news of his own this Memorial Day with a win in the second running of the $40,000 John Andreini Memorial Stakes at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. In addition, his victory marked the first win for 18-year-old trainer Janell Sanderson.

Making his first official start since March 1st when he won the Rio Grande Handicap at Sunland Park, New News covered the 350 yards in :17.57. Owned by Cesar Sanchez and Nathaneal Pallanes, the Texas-bred sorrel gelding is the son of the Corona Cartel stallion, Majestic Cartel, the #5 leading third-crop sire of 2020.

“This is overwhelming,” said Sanderson. “I’ve been involved with my family in racing, but I just got my trainer’s license in El Paso this winter. This was my first actual win as the named trainer, so I am very excited!” .

New News, who was ridden by Jaime Leos, has lifetime earnings of $178,111 and has won 4 of his 17 starts. Bennie and Terri Jeter bred the 4-year-old from the Executive Menace mare Executive Promises.

Majestic Cartel, a Louisiana-based brother to champion Five Bar Cartel, was a $180,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in 2012. He was unraced due to an injury.

“My horse did what he was supposed to do when the gates opened, fast and straight,” Leos said. “It was my second time on him, and he showed he could run at Sunland. He came right back and won again today, and he was strong to the finish line.”

Runner-up Consigliere races for owner Rafter W Stables and is conditioned by trainer Michael Joiner. The son of leading sire One Famous Eagle is out of the Grade 1 winning Walk Thru Fire mare Separate Fire.

Bred by McColee Land & Livestock LLC, Consigliere has compiled a (11) 3-4-1 record and today's runner-up purse of $8,000 boosted the 4-year-olds earnings total to $65,481. Noe Gracia, Jr. had the riding call.

Oklahoma-bred Magnifico picked up $4,000 for owner Victor Diaz after moving up from the disqualification of Senor Frogs. Martin Orona, Jr. saddled the Pyc Paint Your Wagon 4-year-old out of Bp Mariahs Jp by Mr Jess Perry. Bred by Michael Pohl and ridden by jockey Paul Garcia, Magnifco has banked nearly $96,000 in his career.

Completing the John Andreini Memorial field were Walcott, Bluemoonteller, Flash For Corona, Pollitical Blood, Jess Botticellia and Senor Frogs.

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After three days of trials for the Ruidoso Futurity and the Ruidoso Derby, today also marked the return of Thoroughbred racing to Ruidoso Downs as the program featured six Thoroughbred races. It was also the first time in two months that Thoroughbreds had raced in New Mexico.

Racing returns to Ruidoso Downs next Friday through Sunday with a full card of racing each day. For more information on how to watch and wager, please visit RaceRuidoso.com.

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For the latest Ruidoso Downs information, go to www.raceruidoso.com, visit the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Facebook page and follow Ruidoso Downs on Twitter @RuidosoDowns and on Instagram.