Effortless Favorite Scores 23-1 Upset in $1.07 Million All American Derby

Effortless Favorite delivered the biggest victory of his career Sunday at The Downs at Albuquerque, defeating a talented field of sophomores to win the Grade 1, $1,079,992 All American Derby.

The fourth-fastest qualifier was sent off at odds of 24-1 but proved best under jockey Francisco Ramirez Jr. Breaking from post three, Effortless Favorite quickly took command and inched clear before holding off Political Twist by 3/4 length. He covered the 440 yards in :20.866.

The victory also marked the first All American Derby win for Ramirez, who has been aboard Effortless Favorite throughout much of the gelding’s career.

“It’s been a dream since I was a little kid, since I was growing up,” Ramirez said. “It’s special to be part of a special team like that. I’m without words. I’m just thankful to be here. Thanks to God and thanks to the people who give me an opportunity to be here.”

Ramirez said the race unfolded exactly as he had hoped.

“It went great,” he said. “He got in the gate great. It couldn’t have gone any better.”

Owned by Tom Maher, Richard Tobin and Bill Maher and trained by Jason Olmstead, Effortless Favorite was bred by Wallace Johnson and is a $67,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. The gelding is by Favorite Cartel and out of the Corona Cartel mare Swingin Cartel. He is a half-brother to graded stakes winner Apollitical Scout ($380,952).

“They don’t give away these All American races,” Olmstead said in the winner’s circle. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to the horses and I’ve been trying for many years.”

It was also Olmstead’s first victory in an All American-series race.

Effortless Favorite has now won 10 of 15 career starts with three seconds and earnings of $630,785. The victory added another Grade 1 title to a résumé that includes last year’s Heritage Place Futurity (G1), as well as a victory in the All American Juvenile. He entered the All American Derby after finishing fourth in the Rainbow Derby (G1).

Second-fastest qualifier Political Twist finished second under Luis Martinez for La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC and Ray Willis and trainer Manuel Rodriguez. The accomplished gelding had a clear path but could not catch Effortless Favorite, with just a nose separating him from third-place finisher Gf Shes Sinful.

Bred by MJ Farms, Political Twist is a $150,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate by Apollitical Jess and out of the stakes-winning Tres Seis mare C Twister Seis. He entered Sunday riding a three-race winning streak and now has a record of 12-9-2-0 with earnings of $1,666,759. His résumé includes victories in the Rainbow Derby (G1), Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and West Texas Futurity (G2).

Fastest qualifier Gf Shes Sinful finished third under Noe Garcia Jr. for owner All In Partners and trainer Wesley Giles. The filly was bumped after the start before finishing just a nose behind Political Twist.

Bred by Kevin Birrell, Gf Shes Sinful is a $50,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate. The daughter of Dulce Sin Tacha is out of graded stakes winner Bf Fooserageous, by Foose. She now has a record of 10-6-2-1 with earnings of $574,038. Earlier this season, she won the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and entered the Aug. 9 trials following a runner-up finish in the Rainbow Oaks (G1).

Midnite Smokin finished fourth, followed by Mr High Five, Dr Stone Cold, Cyber Blues, Enforce and King of the Tide. The Diesel Train was scratched.