ZIA FESTIVAL STARTS SATURDAY AT RUIDOSO

COURTESY OF STALLIONESEARCH.COM


Zia Festival Starts Saturday, First Prize Perry Returns at Ruidoso


RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 25, 2007—Saturday has action in the grandstand and on the track at Ruidoso Downs. The Zia Festival starts and Texas Classic Futurity runner-up First Prize Perry makes his 2007 debut and prepares for a possible start in the trials to the Grade 1, $600,000 (est.) All American Derby in the featured eighth race.
A celebration of all things New Mexico , the Zia Festival features vendors selling all sorts of goodies and wares with a New Mexico connection throughout the grandstand. You’ll find tasty morsels to eat, jewelry that puts smiles on every face and home accessories that are that perfect fit at a wonderful price. Admission is free.

The festive Southwestern atmosphere abounds with track employees decorating their areas in a friendly competition with some serious bragging rights on the line.

The Zia Festival doors open at 11:00 a.m. and first post time for the 9-race card is 1:00 p.m. There is free parking and free grandstand admission daily.

First Prize Perry earned $241,226 last year, primarily from his second-place effort in the Grade 1, $1 million Texas Classic Futurity for trainer Heath Taylor. The Mr Jess Perry colt finished a neck behind Valiant Hero, who came back this year to set the fastest-qualifying time to the Rainbow Derby and go off as the favorite in last week’s Rainbow Derby.

First Prize Perry drew the ninth post position in the 10-horse field and Esgar Ramirez will ride the colt for the first time.

Trainer Sleepy Gilbreath sends out last summer’s Grade 3 Ford New Mexico Juvenile Challenge winner Sassys Tuffy. He is making his first start since Nov. 11 and has won two of five starts.

Joel Aranda rides the Okey Dokey Dale gelding from the fourth post position.

Ace Crystal Charm is a 4-year-old Shazoom mare returning from a year-long layoff. As a two-year-old she won the Grade 2 Ford Texas Juvenile Challenge by a length and a half.

Ace Crystal Charm drew the second post and Carlos Madeira rides.

The racing action during the Zia Festival reaches a high point on Sunday with the stakes-filled Zia Festival program. The Quarter Horse stakes are shaping up like open Grade 1 races with All American Futurity runner-up Gun Battle in the $93,000 Zia Derby, and the possibility of All American Derby winner Arealstraitheart and 2006 champion aged gelding Gotta Get meeting in the Zia Quarter Horse Championship.