Trifecta and more: Jockey Candanosa rides All American Futurity winner, gets engaged

Hezgothelook Z, foreground, with Bryan Candanosa aboard, passes Kj Bad Moon Rising and jockey Christian Ramos in winning the All American Futurity on Sept. 2 at the Downs at Albuquerque. A months-long investigation turned up a banned medication in a dozen racehorses, including Hezgothelook Z.

Jockey Bryan Candanosa and his partner, Shianne Andrew, share a kiss after Andrew accepted his marriage proposal.

Glen Rosales Glen Rosales Glen Rosales for the Journal

Published September 2, 2024 - 8:15 p.m. Modified October 8, 2025 - 2:00 a.m.

It was an historic afternoon Monday and then some for jockey Bryan Candanosa at the Downs of Albuquerque.

Riding Hezgothelook Z, Candanosa held off a late charge to win the $3 million All American Futurity — the world’s richest quarter horse race.

Together with wins in the Ruidoso Futurity and Rainbow Futurity earlier this summer, Hezgothelook Z won the Quarter Horse Triple Crown, a feat achieved just once before when Special Effort swept the three in 1981.

What’s more, Candanosa won three other races Monday: the $1.07 million All American Derby on Dashing Tre, the $250,000 All American Gold with Jess Good Wine and the $200,000 All American Juvenile atop Aguila Rapida.

And to top it all off, following the Juvenile, Candanosa knelt on the lip of the track and proposed to his partner, Shianne Andrew, whom he met two years ago at Ruidoso Downs.

Monday’s racing marked the culmination of the Ruidoso Downs racing season, the back end of which was moved to Albuquerque in the wake of the floods and fires that devastated the town earlier this summer.

The slate of races included five high-profile stakes races, highlighted by the Futurity, which Hezgothelook Z won in 21.12 seconds.

“It’s been an amazing day. A day to remember,” Candanosa said.

Hezgothelook Z survived an early bump before heading to the front, then put on a late surge to continue to the winner’s circle.

“He got away and at 200 yards he was in front, then when he saw the shadows — a couple of other horses did, too — he jumped the shadows a little bit,” he said. “The two horses came to me, and when he saw the two horses, he regripped and he didn’t let them pass.”

That pretty much summed up the day for Candalosa, who owned the winner’s circle.

“It’s a blessing. (Monday) has been one of those days to remember,” he said. “I can’t be more appreciative for God and my family, (trainer) Toby (Keeton). Those people at the barn, the grooms, they take care of the horses really hard. They wake up super early and go to bed real late just to take care of the horses and to make sure that they’re sound. It all goes to them.”

Riding Hezgothelook Z, who won (including the Futurity trials races) six races in all this summer, was an amazing experience, he said.

“It’s a dream come true. Once in a lifetime you get a horse like that,” Candalosa said. “I had a dream one time that I was going to win this race. I didn’t know when, but I was going to get it done. I’m just blessed to be able to get it done (Monday).”

He was also blessed to slip a ring on Andrew’s finger following the Juvenile.

“I just got (engaged), so it’s a double win,” he said.

Indeed, moments after members of a large group photo on the track began to disperse, he dropped down to one knee in front of Andrew.

“I’ve been having a secret for a long time that I wanted to do it come Labor Day. Getting engaged,” Candanosa said. “It was really hard to keep it a secret. I just wanted to tell her and tell everybody. It was so hard to do it, but I told myself if I win one race today, I’m going propose to her.”

It was not something Andrew saw coming.

“I’m really excited and really grateful,” she said with a big smile. “He knows that I’m his No. 1 fan and always supporting him. So it’s really special to be here, and now it’s even more of a memorable day than it would have been. It’s a really big surprise. I wasn’t expecting it.”

In the other stakes races, Especially Goodcandy, ridden by jockey Ricky Ramirez, won the $626,135 All American Oaks.

“She was underestimated. But the only time she’s been beat is by good horses,” Ramirez said. “Coming off a nine-month layoff and she runs that good in her trial, I knew she was only going to get better. I kind of kept my mouth shut so I wouldn’t jinx myself, but this was kind of the result I was expecting and sure enough she pulled it off.”

The big upset of the day came in the All-American Invitational as heavy underdog Bacardi broke from the gate quickly and carried his advantage to the end in the $100,000 race.

Going off at 49-1, Bacardi ran 21:11 to win handily.

“My horse, he ran good all weekend, so (Monday), I got a great a break and he ran really good,” jockey Alfredo Sigala said. “That horse is pretty good. The last time, I hit him and he didn’t like it very much and (this time), I push him with my hands and he ran away.”