Copy Of Jess is one of ten finalists to run in the $175,258 Mountain Top Derby (R) at Ruidoso Downs on Saturday.

© Victoria Salazar/Ruidoso Down

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM--JUNE 11, 2024--Copy Of Jess, a sorrel daughter of Jesse James Jr racing for Denis and Julie Schoenhofer and the fastest qualifier, is one of 10 New Mexico-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses entered back in Saturday’s 350-yard, $175,258 Mountain Top Derby (R) at Ruidoso Downs.

Copy Of Jess is coming off of a 1 1/4-length victory in the third of six trials on June 1. A $77,000 purchase at the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, the filly has won three of eight races — including two of four at Ruidoso Downs — and she has earned $54,667.

Copy Of Jess drew the rail post and will be ridden by Francisco Calderon for trainer James Gonzales III.

Other contenders include Wood Be Bad, a gelded son of Woodbridge trained by James Gonzales III for owner Rancho El 48 LLC. Wood Be Bad brings in a three-race win streak that includes a half-length victory in the October 15, $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Juvenile Stakes (R) at Albuquerque Downs.

Wood Be Bad drew post 5 and will be ridden by James Flores.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:
Copy Of Jess (Francisco Calderon), 9-2
Daddysqueenofalice (Noe Garcia Jr.), 6-1
Chicka Boom Babe (Sergio G. Dominguez), 15-1
Miss Hi Tide (Adrian Ramos), 2-1
Wood Be Bad (James Flores), 7-2
Bigg Curlie Bill (Sergio Becerra Jr.), 20-1
Royal Post (Emilio Tapia), 30-1
Miss Baby Cartel (Jose L. Enriquez), 12-1
Young Emperor (Joseph Belloc Jr.), 8-1
Grafity (Jacob Enriquez), 15-1

All Ruidoso Downs races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.