RM Dulce Valiente and under jockey Brian Cobos Barraza win the $44,550 AQRA Presidents Open Spring Derby at Turf Paradise.

© Coady Media

By StallioneSearch

PHOENIX, AZ–MARCH 30, 2026– RM Dulce Valiente won the $44,550 AQRA Presidents Open Spring Derby on March 30 at Turf Paradise, covering 350 yards in :17.566 seconds over a fast track.

Ridden by Brian Cobos Barraza, the gelding defeated Rue by a head, while Lethal Eagle V finished third. The winner earned $26,285.

The winning connections of RM Dulce Valiente accept the $45,550 AQRA Presidents Open Spring Derby trophy at Turf Paradise on Monday. © Coady Media

Bred by Kiowa Creek Performance Horses, RM Dulce Valiente is owned and trained by Heber Deyta-Melendez. He is sired by champion Valiant Hero and is out of the Teller Cartel mare Teller Shes Sweet, a winning mare. He now holds a record of 9-1-0-4 with earnings of $40,274.

RM Dulce Valiente entered the final off the third-fastest qualifying time of :17.625 seconds.

Runner-up Rue is owned by J Lazy Six Racing, trained by David John Williams, and was ridden by Kevin Carbajal. Bred by William E. Smith, the filly is a $60,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. She is sired by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 and is out of the Corona Cartel mare First Caroline Rose ($26,339).

Rue now holds a record of 7-5-1-0 with earnings of $77,087, including a win in the AQRA Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity and a runner-up finish in the AQRA Turf Paradise Juvenile Stakes. She qualified with the fastest time of :17.540 seconds.

Lethal Eagle V finished third. The colt is owned by Jose Mendoza, trained by Diego Cervantes, and was ridden by Bryan Candanosa. Bred by George P. Mitchell II, he is a $25,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate.

He is sired by Gold Heart Eagle V and is out of the Volcom mare Volcoms Delight, a stakes placed runner and full sister to stakes winners JM Miracle ($1,507,962) and Lethal Express ($33,226). The female family also includes Grade 1 winner Lethal Delight ($453,701) and champion Volcom Bay ($426,023).

Lethal Eagle V now holds a record of 11-1-2-4 with earnings of $25,909. He qualified with a time of :17.645 seconds.

JJ The Boss, The Dulce Tacha, BF Dulce Sin Rage, Strictly A Cowboy, Menacing Lil Jessy, and Winners House completed the order of finish. 

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