ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 7, 2018— Winerette, a homebred daughter of leading third-crop sire Big Daddy Cartel owned by Mac and Janis Murray’s MJ Farms at Veguita, New Mexico, is the fastest qualifier to the September 22, $300,000-est. New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity (RG3) at Albuquerque Downs.

Racing in the third of six trials on Friday, Winerette defeated Jess Versiontino by three-quarter of a length while covering 400 yards in against a 22-mph head wind in :20.026. The previously undefeated Jess Fire Chick, a two-time graded futurity winner at Ruidoso Downs this summer, finished third, a nose behind Jess Versiontino. Alonso Rivera rode Winerette for trainer Jimmy Padgett, II.

Winerette was stretching out in distance off of a wire-to-wire, half-length victory in her career debut, a 350-yard, $20,000 maiden-special-weight dash for state-bred 2-year-olds at Albuquerque Downs on August 10. The filly has earned $14,820 from two outs.

Winerette’s dam, the First Down Dash mare Alice K White, was the sport’s champion 3-year-old filly in 2009. Winerette is a half-sister to Astica, the champion 3-year-old filly three years ago and the current 400-yard track-record holder at Albuquerque Downs.

Jess Versiontino, a colt by multiple stakes winner Winners Version, and the winner of the July 28 By By JJ Stakes (R) at Ruidoso, made the State Fair Futurity field, as did Jess Fire Chick, by Jess A Chicks.

Another prominent qualifier include CM Rowdy James, the winner of the 350-yard, $97,000 Four Corners Futurity at Albuquerque Downs on July 1.

The second-fastest qualifier, CM Rowdy James won the sixth heat in :20.048. Jaime Leos rode the homebred Jesse James Jr gelding for owner Nadine Maben of Clovis, New Mexico, and trainer Gaston Valenzuela.

For the complete list of New Mexico State Fair Futurity(RG3) qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Live racing resumes at Albuquerque Downs with a 10-race card on Saturday, beginning at 1:30 p.m. (MDT). Saturday’s program features four 400-yard La Fiesta Quarter Horse Futurity trials, and a 1-mile, $21,300 Thoroughbred allowance-optional claiming feature which has drawn seven entries, topped by David Jacobson’s Harlan Punch. Trained by Justin Evans, Harlan Punch on June 30 scored a 5 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile, $100,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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, and general admission and parking are always free (via the casino entrance at Louisiana and Central) . For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racing" link at the top of the homepage.