SUNLAND PARK, NM—MARCH 29, 2019—New News, under jockey J.R. Ramirez, blew the field away in the first of nine trials at Sunland Park Friday for the Grade 3 $210,775 West Texas Derby, setting the fastest qualifying time from 87 three-year-old Quarter horses who participated.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from today's trials will return to Sunland Park on Saturday, March 20 to vie the $99,064 winner's purse going 400 yards.

New News, a son of second-crop sire Majestic Cartel, rolled over the 400 yards in a quick :18.731 clocking, a 111 speed-index with a 15 mph tailwind. The sorrel gelding won his second race in as many starts this season by 3-¼ lengths.

Trainer Ricardo Armendariz saddled New News for owners Elco Armendariz and Omar Ruiz, Jr. Bennie and Teri Jeter bred New News in Texas from the Executive Menace mare Executive Promises. He has compiled a (7) 2-2-1 record and banked just over $19,000.

New News' sire Majestic Cartel is an unraced brother to AQHA Racing Champion and last year's leading first-crop sire Five Bar Cartel. Majestic Cartel sold for $180,000 in the 2012 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale but never made it to the racetrack due to an injury.

All American Juvenile finalist Cds Wine N Dine bounced off an impressive March 8th maiden win to post the second fastest qualifying time of :18.958 seconds, a 106 speed-index with a 20 mph tailwind, in the third trial. He is was the first of three finalist ridden by jockey Jesse Levario.

Trainer Jimmy W. Guerra saddled the son of world champion sire FDD Dynasty to a 1-½ length win for owner German Amaya. Rafter W Ranch bred Cds Wine N Dine in New Mexico from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Adoration. The sorrel colt has banked $27,620.

Guerra and Levario teamed again in the closing trial (Race 9) with Cd Better Be First to get the third fastest time of :19.027 seconds, a 104 speed index with a 21 mph tailwind.

Daniel Ramirez owns the son of all-time leading sire First Down Dash from the Separatist mare Better Tobe Separate. It was the second win eight starts for the 3-year-old colt who also won a trial to the Hobbs America Futurity(G2) in 2018. He has earned $23,473. Vessels Stallion Farm LLC bred Cd Better Be First in New Mexico.

For a complete list of West Texas Derby(G3) qualifiers, their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders and trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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Live racing resumes on Saturday at 12:50 p.m. (MDT).