Admin September 3, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – Hezgothelook Z won the Grade 1, 440-yard All American Futurity on Monday at the Downs of Albuquerque.
He becomes the second Triple Crown winner in quarter horse racing history for 2-year-olds. Special Effort won the Triple Crown in 1981.
The gelding, an Oklahoma-bred, won the Labor Day race in the race in a photo finish with Kj Bad Moon Rising. Fdd Dreams finished third. The winning time was 21.12. Kj Bad Moon Rising finished with time of 21.143.
“Hezgothelook Z has so much heart,” owner Norma Olivarez said. “He was tested in this race and came through like the champion he is. He means so much to our family and friends. It was truly a team effort, and a beautiful experience to see this horse win.”
Hezgothelook Z, the 3-5 favorite in the race, broke on top and never trailed in the sprint race. He received a 99 speed index in the history-making outing.
The All American Futurity is a $3 million race.
Hezgothelook Z, who earned $1.5 million for the win, won the Ruidoso and the Rainbow Futurities earlier this summer. He captured the final jewel of the Triple Crown — the All American Futurity — in front of a large crowd of racing fans at the Albuquerque race track.
Winner of 2024 All American Futurity
It was the first All American Futurity win for trainer Toby Keeton. jockey Bryan Candanosa was aboard the horse that broke sharply from post No. 3 and battle all the way to the wire. Hezgothelook Z, who has won six races in a row and Olivarez purchased the horse for $70,000 at the Heritage Yearling Sale in Oklahoma.
“I had a dream that one day I’d win this race,” said the 22-year-old Candanosa. “I didn’t now if it would be this early in my career. Hezgothelook Z is an amazing horse and he broke great. He ran his heart out like he always does. I am proud of him. Winning the Triple Crown is an unbelievable experience, but our whole team believed in him.”
Added Keeton: “Hezgothelook Z is such a wonderful horse. He does everything right. He ran with passion and Bryan did a great job of riding the horse in all the big races.”
Turners Hot Habit was stewards scratch and did not run in the race. He was listed at 30-1 in the morning line, is trained by Ricardo Armendariz, Jr. and is owned by Franky A. Busani.
Jess Good Wine wins All American Gold Cup
Keeton and Candanosa teamed up to win the final race of the day in the 440-yard All American Gold Cup. Jess Good Wine has won 10 of 18 races. Flash Bak was second and Out of the Way was third.
Dashing Tres All American Derby
Dashing Tres won the 440-yard All American Derby for Keeton and Candanosa with a winning time of 20,95 seconds.
Dashing Tres, who won the Rainbow Derby and who was third in the Ruidoso Derby edged visa and Shoeless for his seventh win in 10 starts.
Especially Goodcandy All American Oaks
Especially Goodcandy took top honors in the 440-yard race for 3-year-olf fillies and did so at odds of 8-1. She won the race in time of 20. 923 econds for trainer Trey Wood and jockey Ricky Ramirez.
Miss Hi Tide was second and Flying Sophia was third.
“He broke a bit slow but ran well and finished strong,” Ramirez said. “She has been a competitive horse in her career and has faced really good horses.”
In nine starts Especially Goodcand has won three races and finished second five times.”
Winning owners Mark and Fay annette NcCloy said they will point Especially Goodcandy to the Texas Classic Oaks at Lone Star Park later this year.
Aguila Rapida wins All American Juvenile
Aguila Rapida won the 440-yard All American Quarter Horse Juvenile for 2-year-old quarter horses in time of 20.919 seconds for Keeton and Candanosa. Superfli was 2nd, Favorite Fire V was third.
Aguila Rapida finished second in the Ruidoso Futurity and third in the Rainbow Futurity and has won five of seven career races.
“Aguila Rapida is a great horse he was so ready for this race,” Candanosa said. “He broke great and capped off a successful summer.”
Candanosa earned another win after the race when his girlfriend Shianne Andrew accepted his marriage proposal.
“I said to myself that if I won a race I’d propose to her,” Candanosa. “She’s been a great support to me.”
Bacardi wins All American Invitational
Bacardi won the 440-yard All American Quarter Horse Invitational at odds of 49-1. The race was for 3-year-old quarter horses.
Winning trainer was Tony Sedillo and winning jockey was Alfredo Sigala. The winning time was 21.116 seconds. Bacardi paid $100 win on a $2 bwt.
“It was a good win for Bacardi,” Sedillo. “”With the weather and the fires up in Ruidoso this summer, he had some problems, but he’s regrouped and doing better.”
It was the second win in 11 starts for Bacardi. Flying Rabbit 123 was second and Mitey Relentless was third.
More: Horse racing News Hezgothelook Z looks to become 2nd horse to win Triple Crown with All American Futurity win
Felix F. Chavez cam be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
