Tim Keathley
For the Ruidoso News

Javier Rodriguez looks to be floating on air around the barn this week in advance of his three-year-old runners competing in trials for the $830,000 Ruidoso Derby. 

“It seems like all our three-year-olds are doing extremely well right now, “ Javier said. “We are focused on this weekend and hope to get all of them qualified for the final.”

“Whose fastest?,” a horse player might ask Javier. That’s when a huge grin comes over the face of the longtime horseman and operator of La Feliz Montana Ranch located in Hondo. “Right now I would say it’s a toss-up,” Javier said. “A few of our three-year-olds have grown-up significantly since last fall. They’ve got more muscle and maturity.”

“Ariatt might be peaking at the right time,” Javier said. We’ve seen a tremendous advancement in this horse since last fall.”

Sired by Tempting Dash, Ariatt competed in the All American Futurity in Albuquerque last Labor Day and finished eighth. Javier remembers that Ariatt false-broke one moment in advance of the starting gates opening, striking his mouth and jaw against the hard steel of the gate. The incident pretty much ended his chances of winning the All American before the gates even opened.

“He was so prepared,” Javier said. “And it ended in just a split second with the false- break. He’s perfect now. He’s ready to go this weekend– happy and eating well.”

Ariatt and jockey Luis Martinez will be number four in Sunday’s third race. 

Two other top runners from Javier and La Feliz Montana Ranch entered  in the Ruidoso Derby trials on Sunday include:

• Painted Eclispe, fourth in last year’s All American Futurity. The gelding and jockey Martinez will be number six in the first race.

• FDD Dreams, third in last year’s All American Futurity. The gelding won the $912,000 Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park last fall and is number three in Sunday’s seventh race.

There are ten Ruidoso Derby trials with first post scheduled for 1 p.m.