Bryan Candanos pilots Aguila Rapida to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 All American Quarter Horse Juvenile on Monday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–SEPTEMBER 2, 2024–Aguila Rapida lived up to his "rapida" name winning the $200,000 All American Quarter Horse Juvenile on Monday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

The fast horse fired on all cylinders right out of the gates. Piloted by jockey Bryan Candanosa, Aguila Rapida was in command from wire-to-wire and couldn't be caught. He clocked a 105 speed index in 20.919 seconds, defeating Superfli by 1 3/4-lengths. The post-time favorite's 440-yard victory paid $3.4 to win on 3-5 odds.

Sent off at 16-1 odds, Superfli and jockey Juan Pulido broke into second at the final stretch, which paid $10.60 to place. After a stumbled start, Francisco Calderon led Favorite Fire V to a third-place finish.

The winning connections of Aguila Rapida accept the $200,000 All American Juvenile trophy at the Downs at Albuquerque on Monday. © Coady Media

The $84,000 Juvenile payday boosted Aguila Rapida's earnings to $388,000 and improved his race record to 5-1-1 from seven starts.

Trained by Toby Keeton, the son of Tempting Dash has won every trial heat he's competed in, but today was his first stakes victory. He placed second in the Ruidoso Futurity [G1] and third in the Rainbow Futurity [G1].

Owner Simmons Racing bred Aguila Rapida in partnership with Donnie Griffin in Texas. He is out of Eyema Eagle by One Famous Eagle.

Runner-up Superfli has yet to break his maiden. The Tempting Dash colt placed third in the All American Futurity trial and Ruidoso Futurity trial before getting his second place finish today, which boosted his earnings to $38,000.

Trainer Heath Taylor conditions Superfli for owner Irvin Romero. Ryan and Danielle Robicheaux bred the $150,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in Louisiana out of Remember Robyn by Tres Seis.

The fastest qualifier from the trials, Favorite Fire, has two wins, one second, and one third from five starts with $94,000 in the bank. The Heath Taylor-trained filly was a finalist in the Rainbow Futurity [G1].

Favorite Fire V is bred and owned by Valeriano Racing Stables LLC in Oklahoma out of Fire On Ice V by First Down Dash.

Ohana Spirit, Daou, Heart Of Gold V, Konspire, Red Jet, Coming For Candy and Sassy Angel completed the order of finish.

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Live racing returns to the Downs at Albuquerque on Thursday, September 5, with a nine-race card. The first post is at 5:05 p.m. (MDT).