Ebw Pistol Pete (#6) holds off Mr Chicks Blazin (#9) and Holland Rock (#4) to win the $40,000 New Mexico Classic QH Sophomore Stakes at Zia Park Saturday.

© Coady Photography

HOBBS, NM—OCTOBER 29, 2022–Grade 2 Zia Derby finalist Ebw Pistol Pete raced to his first career stakes win Saturday when he defeated Mr Chicks Blazin and post-time favorite Holland Rock in a blanket-finish to the $40,000 New Mexico Classic QH Sophomore Stakes at Zia Park.

Under jockey Christian Ramos, Ebw Pistol Pete completed the 400 yards in :19.870 seconds with a 5 mph tailwind to win by a nose. It was third career win 10 starts for the son of champion sire First Moonflash.

Trainer Chris Zamora saddled the New Mexico homebred for owner-breeders Ernie and Brenda Wood. Out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Ebw Pistol Annie, Ebw Pistol Pete picked up $24,000 to nearly double his earnings total to $45,209.

The winning connections of Ebw Pistol Pete accept the New Mexico Classic QH Sophomore Stakes trophy at Zia Park.
© Coady Photography

Runner-up Mr Chicks Blazin races for owner-breeder Gregory Terrones and is trained by Martin Orona, Sr. Jaime Leos rode the Tf Featured Effort 3-year-old from the Chicks A Blazin mare Chicks A Floin. The $8,000 second-place effort increased his bankroll to $23,020 from six career starts.

Holland Rock finished a neck back to earn $4,000 for third. Fred Danley trains the Rock Solid Jess 3-year-old for owner-breeders Sissie and Bob McClure. Noe Garcia, Jr. had the riding call on the gelding out of Holland Fire by Holland Ease. The graded-placed runner has earned $130,929 in 21 starts.

Just de Vine, Long Pour, Rz Ricky, Incitatus Moon, Jess E Wood and Fs Power Maxx completed the field.