RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. – Unbeaten in three starts, Political Twist has been the star 2-year-old Quarter Horse in New Mexico this spring. Where he ranks in the national division will be better known after Sunday’s $1 million Ruidoso Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.
There are clues Political Twist can continue his winning streak.
A gelding, Political Twist won a division of the 350-yard Ruidoso Futurity time trials by an eye-catching 2 1/2 lengths in 17.62 seconds on May 23, the fastest time from 30 trials on May 23-24.
“I think it’s impressive the way he did it,” co-owner Javier Rodriguez said. “There were some good horses in that trial.”
Political Twist will be ridden by Luis Martinez for trainer Xavier Rodriguez, Javier’s brother. Political Twist has been favored in all three of his starts, including a trial and the final of the $365,271 West Texas Futurity at 330 yards on April 5 at Sunland Park. Clean starts have been a key to those wins.
“We knew he had some talent when we started breaking him at the ranch,” Javier Rodriguez said. “When he got to the races, he showed he could do it.
“If he beats this field, he’s very special.”
The difference between the West Texas Futurity and Ruidoso Futurity is the latter race draws more runners that started earlier this year at Remington Park or Sam Houston. The Ruidoso Futurity is the first of three seven-figure futurities at Ruidoso, a series that ends with the $3 million All American Futurity on Sept. 1.
The 10 finalists in the Ruidoso Futurity include nine trial race winners, including Dee Favorite Tacha, who won his debut by a length May 24 in 17.81, the day’s fastest qualifying time.
The win has left co-owner and trainer Ricardo Armendariz Jr. expecting another victory Sunday.
“He’s showed he has the speed and talent since his first breeze,” Armendariz said. “He’s been very honest.
“It will take a good clean break. We’ll have to break sharp and be on top. We’ve got our work cut out.”
Political Twist is one of two runners in the Ruidoso Futurity unbeaten in three starts. Famous N Relentless won his first two starts at Remington Park, including the $100,000 Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Juvenile at 330 yards on April 19. In a trial on May 23, Famous N Relentless won by 1 1/2 lengths in 17.90.
Trainer Jason Olmstead said Famous N Relentless has yet to display his best and that the gelding has thrived since the time trial.
“He’s not been 100 percent for a whole race,” Olmstead said. “He’s pretty edgy and he came out of it like he knows he’s special.”
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