The field for the 2026 Ruidoso Derby is set.
Ten horses qualified for the 400-yard Ruidoso Derby at the Downs of Albuquerque on Sunday, May 24. There were seven trials and the 10 horses advance to the final on June 6, 2026.
Here is a look at the 10 qualifiers.
Gf Shes Sinful, 18.987 seconds
Trainer: Wes Giles
Jockey: Noe Garcia, Jr.
Owner: All In Partners (Ezara Lee et al)
Flying Chance, 19.017 seconds
Trainer: James J. Gonzales III
Jockey: Joseph Belloc, Jr.
Owner: Jc and cf, LLC (Clint Fuller et al)
Rf Runaway Cowboy, 19.139 seconds
Trainer: Marc Jungers
Jockey: Edwin Escobedo
Owner: Caliche Walls Venture, LLC (Katherine Reilly et al), Alan Isabell, Lance Bland, Jimmy Barton
Cowboy Corona 123, 19.230 seconds
Trainer: Wes Giles
Jockey: Luis Valenzuela
Owner: Melvin and Susan Neugebauer
Shimmery, 19.238 seconds
Trainer: Michelle Salazar
Jockey: Jacob Enriquez
Owner: Joaquin Gutierrez and Juan Fierro
Politician V, 19.256 seconds
Trainer: Raymond Valerio
Jockey: Francisco Calderon
Owner: Valeriano Racing Stables, LLCD (Sammy Valeriano et al)
Eagles Diamond, 19.262 seconds
Trainer: John Stinebaugh
Jockey: Gilberto Linares
Owner: Michael Ambum and Pete Scarmardo
Midnight Smokin, 19.263 seconds
Trainer: James J. Gonzales
Jockey: Joseph Belloc, Jr.
Owner: Outlaw Farms, LLC (Alan Arreola, et al)
Jarvis V, 19.276 seconds
Trainer: Raymond Velario
Jockey: Francisco Calderon
Owner: Valeriano Racing Stables, LLCD (Sammy Valeriano et al)
Envestor, 19.299 seconds
Trainer: Zackary Stinebaugh
Jockey: Gilberto Linares
Owner: VRichard Young, joe David Yates and Zackary Stinebaugh
Trainer Eric Valenzuela suspended
New Mexico Racing Stewards suspended trainer Eric Valenzuela on Sunday and scratched five quarter horses under his care that were scheduled to race in Sunday’s trials for the Ruidoso Derby. The stewards did not give an immediate reason for the suspension. A hearing about the matter is expected to be scheduled before the Board of Stewards in the near future.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 10 horses qualify for Ruidoso Derby final in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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