Champion Ochoa Works at Ruidoso

May 8, 2012

Champion and All American Futurity (G1) winner Ochoa made what could be his final serious preparation for his seasonal debut when he worked 220 yards in :12.01 from the Ruidoso Downs’ gate this morning.

Ochoa could make his first start since winning the All American Futurity on Labor Day in the trials to the $800,000-est. Ruidoso Derby (G1) on May 26, at Ruidoso Downs.

The summer racing season at Ruidoso Downs starts on Friday, May 25, with the daylong trials to the $600,000 Ruidoso Futurity (G1).

“He’s been doing really well and we’re looking at the Ruidoso Derby trials,” said trainer Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath.  

Ochoa, a gelded son of Tres Seis, races for the partnership of J Bar 7 Ranch, Monty and Katsy Cluck and Doug Benson and made each of his four career starts last summer at Ruidoso Downs. He was third in the $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity (G1) and then dominated the $2.4 million All American Futurity by1 1/2 lengths as the 8-5 favorite.

The 2011 champion 2-year-old and 2-year-old gelding, Ochoa has started four times with three wins and earnings of $1,244,200.

For further information about racing at Ruidoso Downs, go to www.raceruidoso.com and follow Ruidoso Press Box (@RuiPressBox) for updates via Twitter.