Ruidoso QH Derby(G1) winner Fdd Dreams will look to qualify for the Rainbow QH Derby(G1), the second-leg of the Ruidoso Triple Crown when he starts int he opening derby trials on Saturday at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino.

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By StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JUNE 25, 2025–A deep and accomplished group of 3-year-olds headed by Grade 1 Ruidoso QH Derby winner Fdd Dreams and Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity winner Lethal Cowboy 123 will line up in six trial heats on Saturday at Ruidoso Downs, all seeking a coveted berth in the $750,000-estimated Grade 1 Rainbow Quarter Horse Derby final on July 12.

The trials, each contested at 440 yards, begin at 12:00 p.m. MDT. The ten fastest qualifiers will return for one of the summer's richest sophomore events. The first five races on Saturday's card are trials for the $450,000-est. Rainbow QH Oaks (see related story).

All eyes will be on Fdd Dreams (2-1) in the opening trial (race 6), the dominant Grade 1 $833,000 Ruidoso QH Derby winner, who enters this trial riding a four-race win streak.

The FDD Dynasty gelding, bred and owned by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC, blitzed the field in the Ruidoso Derby final, drawing off with authority while stopping the clock in a sharp 19.25 seconds. He’s four-for-five at Ruidoso and brings a lifetime bankroll of $1.22 million into this event. Luis Martinez retains the mount for trainer Xavier Rodriguez.

Also in the field is The Gold N One (7-2), a son of Apollitical Jess who turned heads with a daylight allowance win on June 8, earning a 91 speed index for trainer Eddie Willis. Others to watch include Paradise Pete (6-1), a promising Flying Cowboy 123 gelding with two wins from four starts this season, and Audee Murphy (9-2), who placed in his Ruidoso Derby trial and is three-for-nine lifetime.

Back in familiar surroundings is Lethal Cowboy 123 (5-2), who famously captured the 2024 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity (G1), starts in Race 7. Now a gelding, the Flying Cowboy 123 son returned with a convincing Ruidoso QH Derby trial win on May 25, showing high cruising speed and drawing off by daylight.

He reunites with regular rider Edwin Escobedo for trainer Marc Jungers and has won seven of nine starts and earned $1.2 million.

A stiff challenge could come from Eagle Aye (9-2), who has finished third behind Fdd Dreams in the Ruidoso QH Derby in his last start. Also prominent is Daou (7-2), runner-up in the Grade 3 West Texas Derby and most recently a fast-closing fourth in the Ruidoso QH Derby final. Longshot Jess Sonny D (6-1) just missed in the $100,000 Ruidoso Invitational, finishing second to Holy Pete.

The marquee showdown of the afternoon may come in Race 8, where House Of Lords (2-1) and Holy Pete (3-1) square off. House Of Lords arrives in peak form off his Grade 2 Heritage Place Derby score at Remington Park, where he posted a commanding win in 19.344 seconds. The Flying Cowboy 123 colt, trained by Victor H Rodriguez-Flores and ridden by champion Francisco Calderon, has won five of nine starts.

Holy Pete, meanwhile, is undefeated this year, including a powerful gate-to-wire score in the $100,000 Ruidoso Invitational. He’s won three races at Ruidoso and has continued to show sharp early speed for trainer John Stinebaugh. Drawing the rail could give him a tactical edge.

Little Vaquero (5-2) nearly pulled the upset on stablemate Fdd Dreams in the Ruidoso QH Derby final and looms large here. The Flying Cowboy 123 gelding owns two wins and two seconds from five local starts and appears to be thriving under trainer Xavier E. Rodriguez. He draws favorably in post 7, in Race 9, with regular rider Luis Martinez aboard.

Kj Born To Be Wild (9-2) won his Ruidoso QH Derby trial and has graded experience, while Firey Eagle (7-2) makes his Ruidoso debut for Dunn Ranch after strong efforts at Remington Park.

Fresh off a dominant allowance win, Electrifying Cowboy (2-1) steps back into trial company for Tungsten Racing Partnership and trainer Ramon Mendoza in Race 10. The Flying Cowboy 123 colt, winner of the Southwest Juvenile Invitational(G2) has faced tough company throughout his career and draws well in this spot.

The finale (Race 11) is loaded. Kj Bad Moon Rising (5-2), a stakes winner of over $1.2 million by second-crop sire Kj Mucho Macho Man, faces off against Cartel Perry (9-2), Brown Coffee (7-2), and the capable Curls Magic Wagon (5-1), a ten-time starter with multiple stakes placings. This heat promises to be one of the most contentious, with multiple runners showing past graded stakes class.

With multiple Grade 1 winners, rising stars, and proven stakes horses throughout the card, Saturday’s Rainbow Derby trials promise fireworks at Ruidoso Downs. Only ten can advance, setting the stage for a showdown under the mountain on July 12.

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