Sammy Valeriano owned horse wins Ruidoso Futurity in Albuquerque

Highly Lethal V won the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity on June 7, 2026, at the Downs at Albuquerque, clocking a track-record 16.886 seconds over 350 yards. The victory serves as the first leg of the Quarter Horse Triple Crown for two-year-old quarter horses.

How did Highly Lethal V set the track record?

Highly Lethal V broke sharply from the No. 3 post and led the entire race. This performance mirrored the horse’s qualifying trial on May 23, where it also led from start to finish with a time of 16.966 seconds.

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The victory brings Highly Lethal V to two wins in three career starts. Jockey Francisco Calderon stated that the horse “ran great and broke great,” noting that the animal is showing maturity and improving constantly.

Winning owner Sammy Valeriano credited Calderon’s experience for helping the horse stay calm and ready, describing Highly Lethal V as a “special horse.” The winning team included trainer Raymond G. Valerio and Valeriano Racing stables LLC.

Did You Know? The previous track record for the 350-yard distance was 16.927 seconds, which was held by Apolliperfection.

Who were the other top finishers and notable incidents?

Lethal Wind, trained by Wesley T. Giles, finished in second place. Ask Her To Fly, under the care of trainer Jason Olmstead, took third.

The event saw a significant mishap in post position 1. Nine Degrees, ridden by jockey Jose Luis Enriquez, stumbled and fell, resulting in a failure to finish the race.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter observes that a wire-to-wire victory paired with a new track record in the first leg of the Triple Crown sets a formidable psychological and physical benchmark. Such a dominant start often forces opposing trainers to adjust their strategies for the remaining legs to counter this specific level of early speed.

What happened in the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Juvenile Stakes?

Indefensible, the 8-5 favorite, won the Juvenile Stakes for horses that did not qualify for the Futurity. The horse finished with a winning time of 17.258 seconds, marking two wins in two career starts.

2026 RUIDOSO FUTURITY EDITED

Indefensible was owned by Gastroprotect Racing LLC (Arnoldo Armenta LLC), trained by Omar Vargas, and ridden by jockey Sergio Becerra, Jr.

Trainer Omar Vargas saw two of the top three horses finish in this race, with Promising taking third. Mr Roosevelt, trained by John Stinebaugh, finished second.

What happens next for Highly Lethal V?

As this race was the first leg of the Quarter Horse Triple Crown, Highly Lethal V may now be positioned as a primary contender for the remaining series events. The horse’s ability to maintain a lead from the break could make it a likely favorite in future matchups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the winning time in the 2026 Ruidoso Futurity?
Highly Lethal V won with a track-record time of 16.886 seconds.

Who trained the winner of the Ruidoso Futurity?
The winning trainer was Raymond G. Valerio.

Which horse won the Ruidoso Quarter Horse Juvenile Stakes?
Indefensible won the Juvenile Stakes with a time of 17.258 seconds.

Do you think Highly Lethal V’s track record will hold through the rest of the Triple Crown series?