Drest For Success, under jockey Noe Garcia, Jr., setting the fastest qualifying time in the restricted Grade 2 New Mexico Cup Futurity trials at Zia Park Saturday.

© Coady Photography

HOBBS, NM—NOVEMBER 4, 2023–Stakes-placed Drest For Success got his second career win on Saturday while posting the fastest qualifying time for the restricted Grade 2 New Mexico Cup Futurity trials on opening day at Zia Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the 55 state-breds 2-year-olds who participated in six trials today, will return to Zia Park on Sunday, November 26th to vie for the winner's share of a $170,000-added purse.

A homebred racing for owners Copper Spring Ranch NM, LLC and Ellison Carter, Drest For Success clocked :17.512 seconds, equaling a 97 speed index into a 5 mph crosswind. Trainer Jose R. Gonzalez, Jr. named jockey Noe Garcia, Jr. to ride the daughter of multiple stakes sire Jet Black Patriot.

Copper Springs Ranch bred Drest For Success from the Corona Cartel mare Devilwitha Bluedress. A winner of two of six career starts Drest For Success was second in the Zia Juvenile Stakes last July and a finalist in the Mountain Top Juvenile Stakes at Ruidoso this year. She has banked $23,680.

Trainer Eric Valenzuela saddled the first of two qualifiers, Mr Jess Effort, to finish second to the fastest qualifier and get the second fastest time of :17.599 seconds a 95 speed index.

Carlos E. Paez is the owner-breeder of the son of multiple stakes sire Tf Featured Effort from the Desiro mare Beyond 15. Fourth in the $1.2 million New Mexico State Fair Futurity(RG2) in his last start October 15, Mr Jess Effort has earned $96,370.  Sergio Becerra, Jr. had the riding call.

Valenzuela sent out restricted Grade 1-placed Young Emperor to win the third trial by a neck over Miss Baby Cartel. Under jockey Sergio Becerra, Jr., the son of leading second-crop sire Eye Am King posted the third fastest time of :17.601 seconds, also a 95 speed index with no wind.

Martin Ybarra owns the gelding out of Ima China Rush by Rushago. MJ Farms bred the $108,956 earner who was third in the Zia QH Futurity(RG1) at Ruidoso last July.

Trainer Wesley T. Giles was the only other trainer with multiple qualifiers—Kj Hartookiss Two 7th fastest and Chicka Boom Babe 9th fastest.

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