All American Gold Cup

Grade 1 winner Powerful Favorite added another jewel to his crown on September 5 at Ruidoso Downs, as he romped to victory in the $150,000 All American Gold Cup (G1).

Racing for champion owner Rosenthal Ranch LLC, the Chris O'Dell-trained horse broke on top and remained there throughout the 440-yard test, three-quarters of a length better than Apollitical Papa. Eduardo Nicasio was at the reins for the :20.936 tour of the track.

“I believe it was his best race,” jockey Nicasio said in the winner’s circle. "As he has grown older he tends to break a little better like he did today. That impressed me and put a smile on my face. It was an easy trip.”

Apolliticalfastprize was third, followed by Instygator, Midday News, This Famous Dream and Gym N Jam. 

Bred by James Markum and Dr. Steve Burns, Powerful Favorite is a 6-year-old gelding by Favorite Cartel and out of Remember Me Rose by Corona Cartel. He has now won 18 of 32 career starts and earned $1,190,250.

His other Grade 1 wins include the 2019 Los Alamitos Winter Derby, 2020 Go Man Go Handicap and 2021 Brad McKinzie Winter Championship.  

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA Racing on Twitter and on Instagram, "like" Q-Racing on Facebook, and visit www.aqha.com/racing.