AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—AUGUST 30, 2017—All American Weekend featuring three Grade 1 stakes at Ruidoso Downs always brings out many of the top-ranked American Quarter Horses, and the 2017 edition is certainly no exception. It’s shaping up to be a tremendous festival of racing.

There were virtually no changes in either AQHA Racing National Poll this week, but a significant number of ranked horses are set to compete in New Mexico over the holiday weekend.

While the top-ranked horse in the AQHA Racing National Poll for 2-year-olds, Eagle Jazz, did not qualify for the $3-million All American Futurity (G1) on Labor Day, his primary rival this year, No. 2-ranked Uptown Dynasty, did make the field and figures to be the favorite in the 440-yard event. A victory in the sport’s richest race would set up an interesting decision among voters next week, with the poll being extended to include racing through Monday. Eagle Jazz just missed the rich final but is eligible to run in the $200,000 All American Juvenile.

Sunday’s $1,365,907 All American Derby (G1) includes the No. 1-ranked horse in the poll for 3-year-olds and up, with Hold Air Hostage likely to be a strong favorite after a dominating performance in the trials. He could solidify his spot at the top with a win, or a defeat could open the door for someone else.

While Hold Air Hostage will compete against fellow 3-year-olds, the No. 2- through 4-ranked older horses will square off in the $200,000 All American Gold Cup (G1) on the same Sunday card. Zoomin Effortlessly, currently ranked No. 2 and formerly the No. 1-ranked horse for much of the year, headlines a group that also includes reigning world champion Jessies First Down at No. 3 and Bodacious Eagle at No. 4. In last year’s Gold Cup, Zoomin Effortlessly defeated runner-up Jessies First Down by a length.

Sunday’s $100,000 Go Man Go Handicap (G1) at Los Alamitos could also impact next week’s poll.

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND OLDER

1. HOLD AIR HOSTAGE (94)
2. ZOOMIN EFFORTLESSLY (90)
3. JESSIES FIRST DOWN (75)
4. BODACIOUS EAGLE (71)
5. BH LISAS BOY (63)
6. TOUGH TO BEE (43)
7. MAGICAL JESS (33)
8. THAT RICO (17)
9. (tie) HE LOOKS HOT (9)
9. (tie) HIGH PLAINS PERRY (9)

HEZA LOUISIANA DASH (7), DUPONTE (6), RUNNING DRAGON (6), TIME FOR WINE (5), APOLLITICAL OK (4), MYST FIT (4), DASH QUICK PERRY (3), JESS GOOD REASON (3), POLITICALLY CORRUPT (3), IMAQTPIE (2), SKY BO DASH (2), PERCYJONES (1).

NATIONAL RANKINGS, 2-YEAR-OLDS

1 EAGLE JAZZ (98)
2. UPTOWN DYNASTY (89)
3. NYMERIA (74)
4. KVN CORONA (71)
5. THIS IS AN EAGLE (48)
6. DASHNUNDER AFULLMOON (39)
7. LA VENCEDORA (35)
8. J FIRE UP (24)
9. BIGG DADDY (17)
10. SIXES FLASH (14)

FIRE AND SASS (12), TOGETHER TO THE END (10), SUENOS DINEROS (6), IMA CHINA RUSH (5), JUST ANOTHER NATURAL (5), BLUE EYED FANCE (2), HOTSTEPPER (1).

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, watch the AQHA Racing Newscast and visit www.aqharacing.com.