Ruidoso Downs Race Track

Jingle Wood’s four-length victory in trials for the $350,000 Mountain Top Futurity on May 30 was an eye-opener for racing fans at Ruidoso Downs, including trainer Clint Crawford. The gelding’s race time of 17.608 seconds at 350-yards was fastest that day.

“He finally got focused and put it all together,” Crawford said about the gelding that will race again Sunday in the Mountain Top final. Jingle Wood is the 2-1 morning line favorite with jockey Jacob Enriquez riding as the eight horse in the 10th race.

Crawford started training Jingle Wood at his ranch in Shawnee, Okla. over the winter. That’s when he first noticed the horse’s talent.

“He was out-working a lot of horses with famous bloodlines,” Crawford said. “Then we started him at Sunland Park in the spring where he ran second in the West Texas consolation. He ran a little green but still finished second with tons of speed toward the end. I think we’ve got a 440 [yard]-horse.”

On June 10, Crawford stood Jingle Wood in the starting gates at Ruidoso Downs to practice leaving at the sound of a bell.

“He stood super,” Crawford said. “You can tell he’s very mature and focused on what he’s doing and I’m really excited about this horse’s future.”

Jingle Wood is owned by Chris and Melody Lykins and Pat Guthrie, who purchased Jingle Wood at the Ruidoso Downs New Mexico-bred Yearling Sale last fall for $77,000.

First post time on Sunday is 1 p.m.