Running To The Moon, ridden by Francisco Calderon, wins the $482,00 Rainbow Oaks [G1] at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sunday.

© Coady Media

RUIDOSO, NM–JULY 28, 2024–$50,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate Running To The Moon gets her first career stakes victory in the $482,000 Rainbow Oaks [G1] at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sunday.

The heavy favorite went off at 6-5 odds, paying $4.60 to win on a $2.00 wager. Francisco Calderon, who qualified her with the third fastest time in the trials, returned aboard Running To The Moon for the 440-yard victory. The duo clocked a 99-speed index against a five mph headwind in 21.137 seconds, defeating Asscher by a half length.

Christina Ramos rode Asscher and placed second 1 1/4-lengths ahead of Aj Precious Jewel and rider Luis Martinez while making steady gain toward the wire.

Running To The Moon earned $202,440 for the win, boosting her earnings to $285,634 and improving her record to 6-2-1 from ten starts. The daughter of champion sire placed second in the Heritage Place Oaks [G2] in May and was a finalist in the La Fiesta Futurity [G3] last year.

The winning connections of Running To the Moon accept the $482,000 Rainbow Oaks [G1] trophy at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sunday. © Coady Media

Rancho El Cabresto bred Running To The Moon in California out of the Apollitical Jess Grade 3 finalist Apollicial Dasher, a full sister to champion sire Apollitical Blood. Running To The Moon's second dam is Grade 2 placed Brazilian Dasher, a 3/4-sister to champion sire FDD Dynasty. Heath Taylor saddled the bay filly for owner Valeriano Racing Stables.

Runner-up Asscher earned $86,760 for the second-place effort, which boosted her earnings to $318,290. Trainer Marc Jungers conditions the daughter of FDD Dynasty for owners Lance Bland and Jimmy Barton.

Asscher has five wins from 11 starts, including the Los Alamitos Oaks [G1] and Holiday Handicap Stakes. MJ Farms bred the $350,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in New Mexico out of Asitca by Jesse James Jr.

Trained by Xavier Rodriguez, Aj Precious Jewel has four wins from 11 starts, and the $48,200 payday for third increased her earnings to $209,261.

Breeder Rancho El Cabresto sold Aj Precious Jewel for $170,000 in the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale to owner La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC. The Oklahoma-bred daughter of Apollitical Jess is out of Cc Seis by Tres Seis.

Amore For A Reason, Tempting Barbie, Moon Spot, Firstchickonthemoon, Macdara, Butterfli and High Fling round out the order of finish.

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Live racing returns to the Downs at Albuquerque on Friday, August 2, with a 12-race card. The first post is at 12:30 p.m. (MDT).