ALBUQUERQUE, NM—AUGUST 26, 2018—A sharp break from his outside post helped odds-on favorite Major Bites score a 1 1/4-length victory in the $70,000 First Moonflash Maturity (R) for New Mexico-breds at Albuquerque Downs on Sunday.

Ridden by Juan Pulido for the first time in a race and aided by a 5-mph tail wind, Major Bites went 440 yards in :21.249. Jesus Carrete prepped the 5-year-old son of Jesse James Jr for owner Israel Bordier.

"I'd only ridden him twice in workouts before today," said Pulido of Major Bites. "He has a lot of talent. The first time I asked him for his best, he answered the question."

Major Bites was bred by Carlos Paez. The bay Jesse James Jr gelding was making his first official start since March 3, when he scored a wire-to-wire, half-length win in the 350-yard, $85,000 Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap (RG2) at Sunland Park.

"He was ready to go," said assistant trainer Jesus Carrete Jr. "He's been training really well, and we got him to where he needed to be to handle the 440 distance. He did really well."

Major Bites opened his 2018 campaign with a dominating 2 1/4-length victory in the January 28, 440-yard Dona Ana County Stakes (R) at Sunland. Raced exclusively in New Mexico, the gelding has won eight of 23 starts, including three of five at the 440 trip, and he the $42,000 winner's share of the purse from his fourth stakes score increased his earnings to $381,992.

Carlos Paez bred Major Bites from the Major Rime mare Dyna Mo Rime.

Carrete Jr. indicated that Major Bites would be pointed to the 440-yard, $170,000 Namehimastreaker New Mexico Cup Championship (RG1) this fall at Zia Park, a race he won last year.

Runner-up Mamacita Cartel, a 4-year-old daughter of leading third-crop sire Big Daddy Cartel, races for owner/breeder David Bloomer. Jockey Edgar Martinez had the riding call aboard the stakes winning filly for trainer Cynthia Gonzalez. The $14,000 second-place payday pushed Mamacita Cartel's earnings total to more than $105,000.

Comin To Your Town, another 5-year-old son of Jesse James Jr, finished half-a-length back and picked up $7,000 for third. Gast Valenzuela saddled the sorrel gelding for owners Rogelio Carrasco, Jr. and Vanessa Hinostroza. Bauer Farm LLC bred Coming To Your Town from the Corona Cartel mare Btb Express. Federico Martinez was riding the multiple stakes-placed earner of $98,217.

Major Bites was sent to post as the 7-10 favorite and returned a $3.40 win mutuel. Mamacita Cartel, Comin To Your Town, Moon River, First Note Medley, Dungarees Version, Gon In A Flash, RG Miracle, and Cinco Menudos completed the order of finish. Cache This Checque was scratched.

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NOTES FROM THE DOWNS: Live racing resumes at The Downs on Wednesday with a nine-race all-Thoroughbred program starting at 6:05 p.m. (MDT)…Next Saturday’s 1-mile, $75,000 Casino at The Downs Thoroughbred Derby (R) has drawn a field of 10 New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds, headed by Blazing Navarone. A son of Song Of Navarone owned by George E. Coleman and Henry Dominguez, the bay gelding won three stakes during the 2017-18 Sunland Park meet, including the 1 1/16-mile, $100,000 New Mexico Breeders’ Derby (R) on March 25. Alfredo Juarez Jr. will ride Blazing Navarone from post 3.

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The Downs at Albuquerque Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair. General admission and parking (valet and self-parking) are always free. For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racetrack" link at the top of the homepage.