Racing


Flashin Fire Gets Fifth Consecutive Win, Set Top Mark In $262,052 Shue Fly Stakes Trials
Multiple graded winner Flashin Fire, under jockey Juan Pulido, setting the fastest qualifying time for the $264,731 Shue Fly Stakes(RG2) Friday afternoon at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

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Flashin Fire Gets Fifth Consecutive Win, Set Top Mark In $262,052 Shue Fly Stakes Trials

SUNLAND PARK, NM—JANUARY 6, 2022—Multiple graded restricted winner Flashin Fire continued his assault on state-breds in New Mexico Friday while posting a dominating 1-¼ length winning performance in the last of six trials today for the $262,052 Shue Fly Stakes(RG2) at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return on Saturday, January 29th to vie for the $123,164 winner's purse in the 400 yard contest for newly turned 3-year-old accredited New Mexico Bred Quarter Horses.

Under jockey Juan Pulido, Flashin Fire completed the 400 yard task in :19.465 seconds, equaling a 99 speed index into a 5 mph crosswind. It was the fifth consecutive win for the son of champion sire First Moonflash.

Flashin Fire began his current win streak at Ruidoso Downs last summer when he broke his maiden in the trials for the restricted Grade 1 Zia Futurity. He won the August 1st final then scored in the New Mexico Classic Futurity(RG2) at Zia Park on October 31st.

Racing for owner Josefina Guzman and trainer Santos Carrizales, Jr., Flashin Fire has banked $297,350. Donna McPherson and Mike Abraham bred the sorrel gelding from the Walk Thru Fire mare Episode Of Fire.

Z Ya, runner-up to Flashin Fire in the last trial heat, held on for the second fastest clocking of :19.641 seconds, a 91 speed index. Leading trainer Wesley Giles conditions the bay gelding for owners Jose Espinosa, Jim Lair and Curtis Crenwelge. Adrian Ramos rode the homebred son of First Moonflash from the Corona Cartel mare Zoobie Cartel. Z Ya has won or placed in seven races and banked $47,151.

The royally bred Wente broke his maiden in a dominating 1-¾ length performance in the third trial to set the third fastest time of :19.697 seconds, a 93 speed index with a 5 mph tailwind. Eric Valenzuela conditions the son of leading New Mexico sire Big Daddy Cartel from the AQHA Racing Champion Filly Astica by Jesses James Jr.

Scott Branson and Jimmy Vasquez own the gray gelding who was winless in six starts last season. Sergio Becerra, Jr. had the riding call aboard the MJ Farms bred 3-year-old.

Wente was the fastest of five Shue Fly Stakes qualifiers bred by MJ Farms. Located in Veguita, New Mexico, MJ Farms also bred 4th fastest Wish Bigg; 5th fastest The Calling; 6th fastest Antinori and 10th fastest qualifier Renika.

For a complete list of Shue Fly Stakes qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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The 2021-22 racing season, which features both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, runs from December 31 through April 3. Live racing is traditionally offered four days each week on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Year-round Simulcast wagering is also available on racetracks across the country.

This story was updated with a purse correction at 11:33 a.m. (CST) on 01/08/2021.