Ruiva, a debuting homebred for Three Chimneys Farm, picked up a never-in-doubt win over a sloppy Churchill Downs track Wednesday. Catching a flyer from the outside of the gate, the 2-1 second choice had a clear advantage by the time most of the field was just getting into stride.
Only Barometric (Frosted) made an attempt to run with her and that pair quickly opened up several lengths by the time Ruiva hit the far turn. Barometric made one last run at her nearing the furlong pole but this Wesley Ward-trainee had plenty of response left to repel that bid and come home on cruise control for the seven-length win.
The trifecta was completed by 'Insighted' runner Bush (Munnings) who made up good ground late to get third. Fellow 'Insight' fillies Champagne Dream (Life Is Good) finished up fifth with Just Epic (Epicenter) in seventh and Epicure (Epicenter) in ninth. Summer Dream (Into Mischief) was a late scratch before the field reached the gate.
Ruiva is the first foal out of the unraced Curlin mare Minha Paixao, herself a daughter of MGSIP and $2.2-million Fasig-Tipton November broodmare Miss Besilu. This is the family of Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado), GISW Funtastic (More Than Ready) and Quiet Giant (Giant's Causeway), the dam of none other than Horse of the Year and top stallion Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}).
Minha Paixao foaled a full-brother to Ruiva this year.
3rd-Churchill Downs, $116,039, Msw, 4-29, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :51.70, sy, 7 lengths.
RUIVA (f, 2, Munnings–Minha Paixao, by Curlin) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $68,496. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward.
👀 Keep an eye on this 2YO filly!
RUIVA ($6.90) didn't mind the wet @ChurchillDowns track a bit. @JJHernandezS19 rode the daughter of Munnings (@coolmoreamerica) for trainer Wesley Ward and owners @Three_Chimneys. pic.twitter.com/zGegWWDp6D
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 29, 2026
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