Double Down Special, a $2,100 yearling purchase and $40,000 supplemental entry, prevailed by a neck yesterday in the $1,548,076 All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs, the richest 3-year-old race in Quarter racing history.
Ridden by Jacky Martin for trainer John Stinebaugh, even money favorite Double Down Special broke on top from post position #7 and stopped the clock in :21.234 at 440 yards. Runner-up Apollitcal Jess finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of third-placed Smokey Stone.
“He had a little incident in the trials, but he got over that and he was perfect today,†said Martin of the gelded son of The Down Side, owned by Vanessa Bartoo, Truth or Consequences, NM. “I can’t say enough about how John had the horse set up. We had a perfect trip.”
The $774,038 victory made Double Down Special the sport’s newest millionaire with a total of $1,211,934. His seven wins from 15 career starts, include the Gi Ruidoso Derby and the G3 West Texas Derby, where he set a world record of :18.613 for 400 yards.
The win was another milestone in the comeback summer for Martin, 55, who was reinstated to ride in May, after a four-year restriction. Earlier in Sunday’s program, he won the All American Gold Cup with champion Noconi and he rides JLS Mr Bigtime, fastest-qualifier in today’s $2,050,000 All American Futurity.