Favored Strawkins Draws Lucky Post in All American Derby

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Amarillo, Texas, August 31, 2006 – Strawkins, who set Ruidoso Downs’ 440-yard track record when he won the Rainbow Derby (G1) in July, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite to win Sunday’s $389,980 All American Derby (G1) at Ruidoso. The Hawkinson gelding will break from post four in the 10-horse race with regular rider Cody Jensen aboard.


 

The connections of the All American Derby starters chose their post positions at a brunch at Ruidoso Downs on August 31.


 

“I wanted to get him off the rail a little bit, get him close to the middle of the track,” said trainer Paul Jones, who qualified six horses to the All American Derby, about his selection for Strawkins. The gelding was the first horse whose post was selected for the 440-yard race.


 

“(With) the four hole, he doesn’t have to be in the gate a long time,” Jones added. “It’s kind of been my lucky number, too.”


 

Among Jones’ horses who have started from the four post are Teller Cartel, who won last year’s All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso, and the trainer’s three consecutive winners of the Champion of Champions (G1) at Los Alamitos: Whosleavingwho (2002), The Down Side (2003) and Cash For Kas (2004).


 

The winner of the All American Derby will earn a berth to this year’s Champion of Champions, a $600,000 race that will be run on December 9 at Los Alamitos. The All American Derby is the only race in New Mexico to award an invitation to the prestigious race that often determines the World Champion Racing American Quarter Horse.


 

Strawkins, who was bred in Oregon by owners Don and Peggy Boyle, won the Rainbow Derby in :20.736. The gelding returned to run third over a sloppy track in the last of five All American Derby trials on August 18 behind fastest qualifier Arealstraitheart and Ketel Won. Nonetheless, his time of :21.560 was good for the seventh-fastest qualifying time.


 

“I don’t think he liked the racetrack,” said Jones, who also trains this year’s All American Futurity favorite, No Secrets Here. “It rained real hard before his trial, and he was in the one hole and the track was real wet and slippery. He seemed like he was a little flat that day, too … Things weren’t right for him that day, but we’re just glad we’re able to make the final.”


 

Each starter in the All American Derby will carry 122 pounds. The qualifiers, in post position order, are:


 




































































































Post 

 Horse (sex, sire) 

 Owner 

 Trainer 

 Jockey 

 Qualifying Time 

 Morning line 
1 

FIRST WICKED LADY
F, First Down Dash

 E.D. Calvert Paul Jones Ramon Sanchez :21.507 20-1 
2 

JESS BECAUSE
F, Mr Jess Perry

 John Jones Jr. Interests Ltd. C. Dwayne Gilbreath 

 Roy Baldillez :21.493 8-1 
3 

KELOWNA KASH
C, Count Corona

 Painted Horse Enterprises LLC Paul Jones Russel Hadley :21.549 15-1 
4 

STRAWKINS
G, Hawkinson

 Donald & Peggy Boyle Paul Jones Cody Jensen :21.560 5-2 
5 

ROYAL DASH BEDUINO
C, Royal Evening Snow

 Robert B. Roark C. Dwayne Gilbreath Joe Martinez :21.573 20-1 
6 

BRINDIS POR CAYENNE 
C, Toast To Dash

K.C. Carden


 John Stinebaugh 

 G.R. Carter Jr. :21.493 9-2 
7 

AREALSTRAITHEART
G, Real Runaway

 MJ Enterprises Ben Torres Esgar Ramirez :21.350 7-2 
8 

IN DISPUTE
C, Walk Thru Fire

 Jose G. Santos Paul Jones Freddie Martinez :21.568 15-1 
9 

KETEL WON
C, Stoli

 R.D. Hubbard Paul Jones 

 Gilbert Ortiz :21.531 8-1 
10 

SEPARATE TAC
F, Separatist

 Rancho Vista Partners Paul Jones Alejandro Luna :21.573 6-1 

 

The approximate post time for the All American Derby is 4:40 MDT. The race will be televised live on TVG.


 

In addition, the American Quarter Horse Racing Journal is providing daily updates of the contenders and their connections throughout All American week at aqharacing.com.


 

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