CHAMPION BRENDA BEAUTIFUL TOPS $308,000 RUIDOSO DERBY(G1) TRIALS
RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—MAY 23, 2009—R.D. Hubbard and Johnny T.L. Jones Jr.’s Brenda Beautiful, the 2008 champion two-year-old filly, topped the three Ruidoso Derby(G1) trials when she won the first division in :19.465 for the 400 yards over a muddy racing surface.
It was her fourth-straight victory and she hasn’t been defeated in nearly a year.
Seven-time defending national training champion Paul Jones capped two successful trials days at Ruidoso Downs when Brenda Beautiful topped the qualifiers to Grade 1, $308,074 Ruidoso Derby.
On Friday, Jones sent out first-time starter Running Brook Gal to lead the qualifiers to the Grade 1, $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity.
The Ruidoso Derby will be held on Saturday, June 6 with the horses with the 10-fastest times from Saturday’s trials eligible to compete. The Ruidoso Futurity will be held on Sunday, June 7.
A homebred daughter of FEATURE MR JESS and 2008 champion broodmare My Dashing Lady, Brenda Beautiful was making her first start since she won the Grade 1, $300,00 Southwest Juvenile Championship on November 30 at Zia Park. She also won the Grade 2 Hobbs America Futurity at Zia Park.
“She’s a classy filly,” Jones. “She ran a super race. Anytime a horse comes off that long a layoff they’ll need the race.”
The muddy track conditions did not deter Brenda Beautiful. “She’s a little filly and smaller horses can run over the top of the track. The heavier horses have more of a tendency to get bogged down,” he said.
The complete list of Ruidoso Derby qualifiers and their times are Brenda Beautiful (:19.465), Time For A Cigar (:19.474), Lake View Dreams (:19.488), Fasten Your Cuflinks (:19.538), Zoomin For Cash (:19.540), Cashinginmydreams (:19.540), Takeela Sunrise (:19.579), Little Rebas Corona (:19.654), Shaboomator (:19.690) and Mightys Last Call (:19.698).
