Especially Goodcandy, under champion jockey Ricky Ramirez, won the Grade 1 $626,135 All American Oaks, sponsored by Rolling Still Vodka and Ponderosa Whiskey, at The Downs at Albuquerque Monday.

© Coady Media

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–SEPTEMBER 2, 2024–After two runner-up Grade 1 finishes last season, Especially Goodcandy raced to a one-length victory in the Grade 1 $626,135 All American Oaks, sponsored by Rolling Still Vodka and Ponderosa Whiskey, at The Downs at Albuquerque Monday.

Especially Goodcandy dueled early under champion jockey but proved the best as she completed the 440 yards in 20.923 seconds, a 106-speed index into an 8 mph crosswind.

Trey Wood conditions the Oklahoma homebred daughter of champion Jess Good Candy for owner-breeders Mark and Fay Annette McCloy.  Last season, Especially Goodcandy was second in the Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity and the restricted Grade 1 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Futurity to champion 2-year-old filly Dark Nme.

Bred from the Dashair mare, Especially Tres, Especially Goodcandy, used the $277,894 winner's purse to boost her bankroll to $698,289. She has two wins in two starts this year.

The winning connections of Especially Goodcandy gather in The Downs at Albuquerque infield to accept the All American Oaks stakes trophy on Monday. © Coady Media

Uno Menos' Miss Hi Tide earned $119,908 for finishing second under jockey Noe Garcia, Jr. Wesley Giles conditions the graded stakes-placed daughter of multiple stakes sire Woodbridge.  MJ Farms bred Miss Hi Tide in New Mexico from Ms Riptide by Ocean Runaway. Miss Hi Tide has banked $415,476 in eight career starts.

With a steady bid under champion jockey James Flores, Flying Sophia finished a nose back to earn $66,165 for third. Trainer Michael Joiner conditions the Flying Cowboy 123 filly for owner-breeder's Calder and Candy Ezzell. The multiple Grade 1 stakes-winning New Mexico homebred is out of Sister Sophia by Big Daddy Cartel.  Flying Sophia won the Grade 1 Junos Request Stakes earlier this season. She has earned $319,435.

The fastest qualifier, Running To The Moon, was fourth, followed by Kj Flying Cowgirl, Tempting Scout, Amore For A Reason, Shes Snakie, and Macdara.

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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).