ALBUQUERQUE, NM—AUGUST 28, 2016—Klassic Strawfly’s remarkable season of success continued on Sunday, as the 10-year-old gelding scored a convincing 1¼-length victory in the inaugural running of the 440-yard, $100,221 First Moonflash Maturity (R) for New Mexico-breds at Albuquerque Downs.

Racing for Yaneth Cabrera and ridden by Isaias Cardenas, Klassic Strawfly covered his quarter-mile trip in :21.419 and recorded a 102 speed index. The gelding was prepped by trainer Ron Stephens, who also bred the sorrel son of Genuine Strawfly.

Klassic Strawfly has won 15 of his 92 races and has earned $462,381 since he began his racing career back in November 2008. However, he has been nothing short of spectacular this season, as he’s won five of his six outs -- including stakes at SunRay Park in Farmington and Albuquerque -- and has banked $102,890.

Klassic Strawfly was coming off of a dead heat victory in the first of two First Moonflash Maturity trials on August 14.

“If he can get out of the gate and doesn’t get bumped around or cut off at the start, nobody is going to outrun him,” Stephens said. “He’s just that kind of horse. He’s always been the toughest horse I’ve ever seen -- I don’t even have to wrap his legs. In fact, when I have put wraps on him in the evening, I’ll find that he’s torn them off by the next morning.

“He’s old and he’s grouchy -- just like an old man,” Stephens joked.

Stephens added that Klassic Strawfly would be pointed to the 440-yard, $180,000-added Namehimastreaker New Mexico Cup Championship (RG1) at Zia Park on October 30.

“That’s our plan,” he said. “We’ll probably rest him between now and then.”

Fire Stones, also trained by Stephens, is a 5-year-old son of Brookstone Bay racing for owner Armando Medina, Jr. Jorge Bourdieu rode the gelding from the Chicks Beduino mare Silver Impulse. Bred by Margaret and Sue Kreins, Firs Tones earned $20,044 to bring his total mark to nearly $90,000.

Multiple graded stakes-placed Dungarees Version made a bid early but tired for owners David and Ross Hinkins and is trained by Larry Chavez. Benito Baca rode the Winners Version 4-year-old out of Forty One Special, by Woodbridge. Holy Bucket, LLC is the breeder. He picked up $12,026.

Heza Wild Dragon, June Bug Junior, Mister Brooks, BL Corona, Major Moonflash, Jess Bordeaux, and Salt The Rim completed the field.

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Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair. For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the “Racetrack” link at the top of the homepage.