Hezgothelook Z, under jockey Bryan Candanosa, won the Grade 1 $1,000,000 Rainbow QH Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Sunday.

© Ruidoso Downs Race Track

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JULY 14, 2024–Hezgothelook Z took the second step toward becoming only the second horse in history to win the Ruidoso Triple Crown when he soundly defeated a strong field in the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Ruidoso QH Futurity Sunday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

The only 2-year-old to win the Ruidoso Triple Crown—Ruidoso, Rainbow, and All American Futurities—was world champion Special Effort in 1981, 43 years ago.

Hezgothelook Z broke well under jockey Bryan Candanosa and then pulled away from the field to win by 1-1/4 lengths while completing the 400 yards in 19.300 seconds, equaling a 100-speed index with a 5 mph tailwind.

"He’s getting better every race," jockey Bryan Candanosa said in the winner’s circle. "This time he never wiggled in the gate. He broke hard and never let up."

A $70,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate racing for owner Triple One Ranch LLC and trainer Toby Keeton, Hezgothelook Z has won four of five career starts, and today's $420,000 Rainbow winner's purse increased his earnings to $852,300.  He won the Grade 1 Ruidoso QH Futurity on June 9.

"Look at the way he runs—so determined," owner Norma Olivarez of Palmview, Texas. said. "He has the heart of a champion."    

Bred in Oklahoma by Tommy Dinwiddie, Hezgothelook Z's dam Shezgotthelook, by FDD Dynasty, is a sister to two-time world champion Danjer. The gelding paid $3.00, $2.40 and $2.20.

Hezgothelook Z is expected to make his next start in the $3-million All American Futurity trials in mid-August.

Bumped at the start under jockey Luis Martinez, Rainbow fastest qualifier Fdd Dreams earned $180,000 for finishing second. Trainer Xavier E. Rodriguez saddled the New Mexico homebred for owner-breeder La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC.

A winner of three of five starts, the daughter of FDD Dynasty, from the Apollitical Jess mare Treasured Dreams has earned over $202,000. She was also a finalist in the April 6 Grade 2 West Texas Futurity.

Under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, Aguila Rapida finished a neck back to earn $100,000 for third, also from the Keeton barn, the son of champion Tempting Dash races for owner Simmons Racing.

Runner-up in the Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1) on June 9, Aguila Rapida was co-bred in Texas by Simmons Racing and Donnie Griffin from the One Famous Eagle mare Eyema Eagle. The winner of three of five starts has earned $298,000.

The official order of finish was completed by Little Vaquero, Favorite Fire V, Ohana Spirit, Candy Going Viral, Space Cowwboyy, Just Dulce, and Highly Regarded V.
 

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With his victory today, Hezgothelook Z became only the seventh horse in history to win the first two legs of the Ruidoso Triple Crown:  Tiny's Gay in 1974, Special Effort in 1981, Deceptively 1992, Leading Spirit 2005, Eagle Jazz 2017 and Jess Savin Candy 2021.

The only winner, Special Effort in 1981, won 9-of-9 starts as a 2-year-old and earned $1,026,722, earning him the title of AQHA Racing World Champion, Champion 2-Year-Old and Champion 2-Year-Old Colt.

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Racing continues next weekend at Ruidoso Downs with the $800,000 Rainbow Derby, and the $480,000 Rainbow Oaks presented by Rolling Still Vodka and Ponderosa Whiskey. The Zia Festival races will be run next weekend including the $350,000 Zia Futurity and the $160,000 Zia Derby. There will be multiple New Mexico quarter horse and thoroughbred stakes races on the card next weekend.