Ronas Ryon Wins by Two Lengths in $843,000 All American Derby

RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. —  Ronas Ryon dashed to a two-length victory Sunday in the $843,000 All American Derby, a 440-yard sprint for 3-year-old quarter horses at Ruidoso Downs.

Last year, the colt won the $2.5-million All American Futurity here.

Ronas Ryon, ridden by jockey Jerry Nicodemus, jumped to an early lead and never gave it up. He finished the race in 21.32 seconds, shaving 0.06 seconds off the Derby’s stakes record of 21.38 seconds set in 1985 by Heavenly.

The colt earned $361,000 for his owners, James Plummer, Benjamin Benham and Sarge Darden of Selma, Ala. Sunday’s purse boosted Ronas Ryon’s career winnings to $1.73 million.

Hooked on Cash earned $150,000 for Louis Howard of Austin, Tex., with a second-place finish. Sompinlikaglass was a head in front of stablemate Dashin Linda, who earned a combined total of $120,000 for J.E. Jumonville of Ventress, La.

Unies Rocket finished fifth, followed by Ruler Oak, Some Super Jet, Irish Moon Lass, Maricaibo and Jet Go Chick.