FARMINGTON, NM—MAY 19, 2013—Jess Rueben James finally got his first career win on Sunday as he inched away from post-time favorite Sandys Jesse to win the $65,000 New Mexico Breeders' Stakes(RG3) by a neck at SunRay Park. You Sexy Fame finished another neck back for the show position.

The super consistent three-year-old had won or placed in seven of 10 starts coming into the race including second in the Animas Stakes on April 21 as well as second in the New Mexico Breeders' Futurity at Sun Ray Park last June and a finalist in the $252,796 Shue Fly Stakes(RG2) at Sunland Park on January 5.

Under jockey Larry Gamez the Jesse James Jr gelding completed the 400 yard course in :19.508 seconds, a 98 speed index. The $39,000 winner's purse pushed his career earnings total to $86,671.

Jaime Aldavaz, Jr. trains the New Mexico homebred for Currie J. Maben. He is out of the Dash For Destiny mare Nitros Cash.

Coming off a win in the Sunburst Sakes on April 13, favorite Sandys Jesse was forced to settle for second earning $13,000. Tanner Thedford rides the restricted stakes winning daughter of Jesse James Jr for owner Chin S. Lee and trainer Ramon Rivera. MJ Farms bred the $170,115 earner from the Dash Ta Fame mare Sandys Fame.

The lightly raced You Sexy Fame was making his first stakes appearance in five lifetime starts for owner Olivas Racing. Guadalupe Munoz, Jr. trains the Dash Ta Fame gelding out of Saloma, by Bully Bullion. Ridden by Hector Aldrete he earned $6,500 for his effort. Joe Rios is the breeder.

Rex Hill, Cb Special Version, Rimen Investment, Ss Cosmo, Jess My Time, Margaritas Last Dash and Brotherman completed the field.