Sandy Ridge Sets the Stage For A Stakes-Packed Closing Day

The final day of the Sandy Ridge Racing meet promises a memorable Sunday afternoon, with a stakes-packed 10-race program bringing the season to a close. First post is set for 1:30 p.m., and the card will build toward three major events: the $266,250 BOCO Futurity, the $165,600 Bluegrass Derby, and the fourth running of the $75,000 Cherokee Overnight Stakes.

The spotlight will shine brightest on the 2-year-olds in race eight, where a field of 10 qualifiers will line up for the $266,250 BOCO Futurity. The juveniles earned their places in the final in the August 19 trial heats and will return to battle over 350 yards at approximately 6:11 p.m.

Fastest qualifier Shesainnocentpiloto, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, leads the field after another impressive performance in the trials. The filly broke sharply and held on to win her heat by a half-length, posting the fastest qualifying time and extending her winning streak to three races.

Shesainnocentpiloto has yet to finish outside the top four in five career starts, with three victories, a second, and a fourth, earning $41,820 for owner Jorge Antonio Silva.

The daughter of Hes Innocent is out of Famous Flying Piloto, by Mr Piloto, and was bred in Louisiana by Grant Farms, LLC. Trainer Jose Estrada will send the talented filly from post three, with jockey Adrian X. Morales aboard.

Inside will be the 7-2 second choice, Nachos Secret, who secured his place in the final with a determined gate-to-wire trial victory by a nose. The gelding entered the trials after a narrow runner-up finish in the $34,000 Mari Hulman George Overnight Stakes, where he was beaten only a head.

Through four career starts, Nachos Secret has recorded one win and two runner-up finishes. The son of Habits Secret is out of Favorite Sissy, by Favorite Cartel, and was bred in Indiana by his owner-trainer, Ricardo Martinez. Regular rider Martin Munoz will return aboard from post two.

Before the juveniles take center stage, an accomplished group of sophomores will compete in race seven for the $165,600 Bluegrass Derby. A field of 10 3-year-olds will run 400 yards, with an approximate post time of 5:36 p.m.

Aj Remember Me brings Grade 1 credentials and an undefeated sophomore campaign into the Bluegrass Derby as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. The colt is perfect three-for-three this season, highlighted by a victory in the Grade 3, $260,000 Oklahoma Derby.

His résumé was already impressive before his 3-year-old season began. At two, Aj Remember Me finished second in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity and third in both the Ah Sigh Handicap and the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity. He enters Sunday with six wins from 10 career starts and $565,232 in earnings.

Owner Corinna Sosa purchased Aj Remember Me for $120,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale. The son of Apollitical Jess is out of Remember Robyn, by Tres Seis, and was bred in California by Rancho El Cabresto, Inc. With championship-level experience already under his belt, the talented colt will aim to keep his perfect sophomore season intact in one of the afternoon's most anticipated races.

The stakes action continues in race nine with the fourth running of the $75,000 Cherokee Overnight Stakes, where nine older runners will stretch out to the classic quarter-mile distance of 440 yards.

Socially Fun has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite after a strong allowance victory on the Sandy Ridge surface. The 5-year-old mare delivered a determined driving finish to prevail by a half-length and will now try to carry that momentum into stakes company.

The seasoned mare has earned four victories, one second, and three third-place finishes, for a total of $68,741. Socially Fun is by FDD Dynasty and out of the Corona Cartel mare Socially Significant. Bred in Oklahoma by Regina Laymon, she races for owner Joel Rod Pierce and trainer Samuel E. Valdivia. Roman Cruz returns to ride from post eight.

From proven Grade 1 talent in the Bluegrass Derby to rising juvenile stars chasing one of the meet's richest prizes in the BOCO Futurity, Sunday's closing-day program has all the ingredients for a thrilling finale.

Labor Day weekend racing at Sandy Ridge will come to a close with big purses, talented fields, and one final afternoon for the meet's top contenders to leave their mark.

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