RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 9, 2020—On a warm and sunny afternoon with no wind and a fast track, Flying Eagle 07 hit the wire with a time of :26.64, ¾ of a length ahead of Ratatattat to win the $20,000 Brigand Handicap.

Morning line favorite Why Buy the Cow finished third, and a $2 win ticket on Flying Eagle 07 paid $19.20.

Bred in Oklahoma, the sorrel gelding is by One Famous Eagle out of champion mare Tiny First Effort by First Down Dash. Owned by Jack Manning, Flying Eagle 07 is trained by James Gonzales, II and was ridden to victory today by jockey Mario Delgado. Quest Inc/Entrust/FBO Tiffin bred the gelding in Texas.

"He was a solid 2-year-old here, and then had some problems when he turned three," said trainer Gonzales. "We've really been working with him, and it seems like he's coming around again now that he's four. We took all the equipment off of him today, and that's when he decided to break and run this time. He's headed to Lone Star for the fall."

Runner-up Ratatattat bumped early under jockey Francisco Calderon but finished well to earn $4,000 for second. Trainer Chris Zamora conditions the son of All American Futurity(G1) sire Volcom for owners Joe Duncan, Valerie Duncan and B.W. Duncan. Stone Chase Stables LLC bred the 3-year-old in Oklahoma from the Special Task mare A Lil Known Fact. He has earned $29,201.

Grade 3-placed Why Buy The Cow earned $2,000 for his third-place effort. Simon Buechler saddled the Heza Motor Scooter 5-year-old for owner Carrol Durbin. Mike Weatherly bred the bay gelding in New Mexico from the Celadon mare Southwest Treasure. Benito Baca was aboard the earner of nearly $165,000.

Bestest, El Red, Viva Le Rock, Trumpets Calling, Tres Through Fire, and First Moon Game completed the field. Ebw Gypsy lost the rider.

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Racing continues next weekend when Ruidoso Downs hosts the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Day at the Races.

Saturday's race card features three races - the John Deere Ruidoso Downs QH Challenge, the Ruidoso Downs Distaff Challenge and the Adequan Ruidoso Downs Derby Challenge - that are part of the 2020 Bank of America Regional Challenge Championships.

The winners of these races qualify to compete in the Challenge Championships which are scheduled to be held on October 24th at The Downs at Albuquerque. The AQHA will also conduct an on-track exhibition featuring a variety of different Quarter Horse disciplines between the 5th and 6th races.

Sunday's program features the finals of the Rio Grande Senor and Senorita Futurities for 2-year-old New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds.

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Post time is 1:00 PM MDT on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. At this time, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club are limited to 50% capacity due to the Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico. For more information on how to watch online, place your bet with your favorite online wagering provider, or conduct drive-thru wagering, please visit RaceRuidoso.com.