Texas Rockstar Scores Maiden Win In Ruidoso Juvenile Overnight Stakes

RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (June 13, 2011) – Texas Rockstar surged in the final 100 yards to secure his maiden victory in the $20,000 Ruidoso Juvenile Overnight Stakes on Monday afternoon at Ruidoso Downs.

The Ruidoso Juvenile Overnight Stakes was run for horses who did not qualify for the Grade 1, $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity held on Sunday afternoon.

Owned by J&L Stables with Fredda Draper, Texas Rockstar raced through much of the 350 yards with Jess Sass Dash lapped on his side. The Carl Draper-trained Texas Rockstar gamely took the lead under Larry Payne in the last strides to score his first win in his third start.

Texas Rockstar, overlooked at 7-1 odds, raced the 350 yards in :17.652 into a strong headwind to win by a neck over Jess Sass Dash. Even-money favorite RW Red Wave was one-half length back for third.

A son of Feature Mr Jess purchased for $65,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Texas Rockstar began his career with a fifth-place effort in his West Texas Futurity trial and then finished third behind Ochoa and Separate Cartel in their Ruidoso Futurity trial. Ochoa went on to finish in third place in the Ruidoso Futurity.