Adequan Ruidoso Challenge Qualifiers

Sweet Oblivion is fastest qualifier to Derby Challenge.

June 15, 2012

Owner Joe Kirk Fulton and trainer Mike Robbins placed three horses in the $45,450 Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge (G3), headed by dominating fastest-qualifier Sweet Oblivion, on Friday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

The horses with the 10-fastest times return for the 400-yard Adequan Ruidoso Derby Challenge on June 30.

In addition to Sweet Oblivion, Fulton and Robbins will be represented by third-fastest qualifier Pandorum and eighth-fastest qualifier Grace Gone Wild.

Sweet Oblivion stood out in the third of three trials when she won by 3 1/2 lengths with a :19.867 time for 400 yards while facing a 20 mile-per-hour headwind. The daughter of Mr Jess Perry’s time was the equivalent of 2 lengths faster than second fastest qualifier Thor Of Fire, who raced to :20.134 time while taking the second trial.

The lightly raced Sweet Oblivion made only two starts last year and qualified for the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge. After an 11-month layoff she came back at Sam Houston to win her maiden by 1 1/2 lengths and set herself up for her standout performance on Friday afternoon under Jose Amador Alvarez.

Alagar Racing’s Thor Of Fire, ridden by Felipe Garcia-Luna, scored his second-straight win after taking a Remington Park allowance race.

The complete list of qualifiers, including qualifying time: Sweet Oblivion (:19.867); Thor of Fire (:20.134); Pandorum (:20.220); Mr Taka B (:20.275);Tac the Money N Run (:20.379); All About Jessie (:20.391); Nemo Time B (:20.430); Grace Gone Wild (:20.498);Wahoo (:20.513); Zenergy (:20.540).