King of the Tide, ridden by Ricky Ramirez, becomes the newest New Mexico-bred winner of the $3 million All American Futurity, racing to a neck victory over heavily favored Political Twist in a dramatic finish to the world’s richest quarter horse race Monday at Albuquerque Downs.

Owned by E. Gene Bradley, Tod Bradley and Ware Brown and trained by Trey Wood, King of the Tide broke alertly from the starting gate and was close to early leader Political Twist and jockey Luis Martinez midway down the stretch. The son of Eye Am King got up alongside the leader late in the 440-yard dash and got his head down first across the wire, stopping the clock in a time of 21.217 seconds and earning an Equibase Speed Index figure of 97.

King of the Tide, a $130,000 purchase at the 2024 Ruidoso New Mexico Bred QH Yearling Sale, becomes the first New Mexico-bred winner of the All American Futurity since Handsome Jack Flash won the race in 2013.

King of the Tide now sports a career record of three wins from five career starts. He earned his way into the starting gate for the All American Futurity on August 4, becoming the fastest qualifier for the finals after 32 trials were held that weekend at Albuquerque Downs. Monday’s win in the All American Futurity boosts King of the Tide’s career earnings to nearly $1.6 million.

The win by King of the Tide also gives Wood his first All American Futurity winner, joining his father Blane Wood, who won the All American Futurity with Apocalyptical Jess in 2018 and Whistle Stop Cafe in 2020. Trey’s grandfather Leo Wood also won the 1979 All American with Pie In The Sky.

Ramirez earned his second win in the All American Futurity with King of the Tide. He won the race with Whistle Stop Cafe, and has won more than 1,400 races in his career with earnings approaching $44 million.

Sire Eye Am King has been one of the state’s leading sires for the past several years. Standing at MJ Farms, Eye Am King also produced 2023 New Mexico State Fair QH Futurity winner Bella De Ball, as well as Just En King and RC Corona King, both of whom earned wins in the New Mexico Classic Championship[ Stakes.

King of the Tide is out of the Ocean Runaway mare Ms Riptide, a stakes winner in 2011 at Sam Houston Race Park. Ocean Runaway, a multiple Grade 1 winner and earner of more than $1.6 million, won a pair of stakes including the 2005 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos.

Sent off at odds of 4.40-to-1, King of the Tide returned $10.80 to his winning backers. The $2 exacta with Political Twist paid back $20.60. Lethal Lobo and jockey Noe Garcia, Jr. finished third while Envestor finished fourth ridden by Ali Rivera. Photo by Coady Media