RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—AUGUST 14, 2021—Contender, a Grade 1 finalist by third-crop sire Hes Relentless, got his first win of the year Saturday when he defeated Jess Good Enough by half-a-length to set the fastest qualifying time for the Adequan® Ruidoso Derby Challenge at Ruidoso Downs.

Under jockey Esgar Ramirez, Contender raced over a sloppy (sealed) surface in :19.530 seconds, equaling a 99 speed index for 400 yards with a 10 mph tailwind. It was the third win in 11 career starts for Oklahoma-bred 3-year-old.

Trainer Jamie Aldavaz, Sr. sent out the brown colt for owner Cristina Flores. Third in the Grade 3 Mr Master Bug Stakes at Remington in April, Contender a was also finalist in the Grade 1 Heritage Place Futurity last year.

Bob Moore Farms LLC bred Contender from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Painted Sable. He has compiled an (11) 3-2-1 record and banked $76,055.

Multiple stakes-placed Jess Good Enough, under jockey Jorge Torres, held on to the second fastest time of :19.585 seconds, a 98 speed index. Clinton Crawford conditions the son of leading second-crop sire Jess Good Candy for owner Diamond Oaks Racing LLC.

Lifes Good Racing Partners, LLC bred the $64,834 earner in Oklahoma from the Oak Tree Special mare Fly On Candy Tree. Jess Good Enough was second in the John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile last season and second in the Jack Brooks Stakes at Remington Park on May 22nd.

Bad Monkey, a multiple graded stakes winning son of multiple stakes sire Capo de Capi was a nose winner over Painted Snowclouds in the second trial to get the third fastest time of :19.673 seconds, a 95 speed index.

Bred-owned and trained by Dean Frey, Bad Monkey won the AQHA Juvenile Challenge Championship(G2) last fall in Albuquerque. Bred in California from the Mr Eye Opener mare Girls Eye Too, the gray gelding has won five of 10 career starts and earned $137,946.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Ruidoso Downs on Saturday, August 28th to vie for the winner's share of a $30,000-added purse as well earn a staring slot in the $150,000-est. Grade 3 Adequan® Derby Challenge Championship on October 23rd during the Bank of America Challenge Championships at The Downs at Albuquerque.

For the complete list of Adequan® Ruidoso Derby Challenge qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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For more information about the Ruidoso Downs 2021 racing schedule or to reserve your tickets and plan your visit, go to RaceRuidoso.com.