RUIDISO DOWNS, NM—SEPTEMBER 5, 2020—Ratification, who has won four straight races and six of 12 overall, will look to win the inaugural running of the $421,165 All American Oaks at 440 yards (Race 7) on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs.

This season was the first-time ever that distaffers had a choice on entry day for the Rainbow Derby and All American Derby to opt into an "Oaks" version of each race for 3-year-old fillies only.

It’s been a perfect plan for Bobby D. Cox's Ratification, a daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess. After winning her trial for the Ruidoso QH Derby but failing to qualify the filly opted into the $315,612 Rainbow Oaks trials, where she quickly posted the fastest qualifying time.

On July 18th the sorrel filly handed Ruidoso Futurity(G1) winner Fernweh her first-ever loss to take the Rainbow Oaks' winners purse valued at $132,611.

Ratification came back on August 23 in the All American Oaks trials with a five-length win and the top qualifying mark of :21.269 seconds.

But her story took another turn the following week when her trainer John Buchanan, 69, died. A native of Florida, Buchanan trained primarily for Fort Worth businessman Bobby Cox in recent years. He and his wife Iris lived in Peaster, Texas, west of Fort Worth. He had been hospitalized in recent days and suffered a heart attack.

The longtime trainer also qualified Cox's Jettz to the 2020 $3 million All American Futurity(G1), a race he won in 1987 with Elans Special.

The horses are expected to run in Buchanan’s name; however their day-to-day training is under the direction of his assistant, the former jockey Juan Vazquez.

Installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite, Ratification loves the distance, loves the track and with an outside post of No. 8 will be tough to beat. The outside part of the track has proven to be beneficial for a better part of the Ruidoso meet.

The All American Oaks complete lineup, in post-position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

1. Kiss Thru Fire, T. Thedford (7/2)
2. Kylee Joy, R. Ramirez, (6/1)
3. Foxys First Kiss , J.R. Ayala (15/1)
4. Kiss My Lassie, C. Smith (15/1)
5. Kieva, M. Delgado (9/2)
6. Amethyst, S. Becerra, Jr. (20/1)
7. Bv Sheslikethewind, B. Baca (12/1)
8. Ratification, F. Calderon (9/5)
9. Valiant Astica, J.A. Alvarez (8/1)
10. Apollitical Snow, J.A. Flores (20/1)

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This weekend, the drive-thru wagering windows located at the Ruidoso Sale Barn will allow patrons to bet on Sunday and Monday’s race cards one day in advance.

Racing continues through Labor Day with a 1:00 PM post time each day.

All Ruidoso Downs races, can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.

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At this time, the Turf Club and the Jockey Club are limited to 50% capacity due to the Public Health Order from the State of New Mexico. For more information on how to watch online, place your bet with your favorite online wagering provider, or conduct drive-thru wagering, please visit RaceRuidoso.com.