White Lightenin, under jockey Noe Garcia, Jr., setting the fastest time for the restricted Grade 2 New Mexico Cup Derby at Zia Park Sunday.

© Coady Photography

HOBBS, NM—NOVEMBER 5, 2023–Leading New Mexico breeder MJ Farms breds had another dominating day at the races Sunday qualifying half the field for the restricted Grade 2 New Mexico Cup Derby, including the fastest qualifier.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds who participated in four trials today, will return to Zia Park on Sunday, November 26th to vie for the winner's share of a $170,000-est. purse.

White Lightenin, a royally bred son of leading second-crop sire Eye Am King from MJ Farms' champion filly Alice K White, by First Down Dash, rolled to a three-quarter length win in the opening trial to garner the fastest time of :19.132 seconds, a 105 speed index into an 8 mph headwind.

Trainer James Gonzales, II named jockey Noe Garcia, Jr. to ride the graded-placed gelding for owners Denis and Julie Schoenhofer. White Lightenin was second in the New Mexico State Fair Futurity(RG2) and third in the Zia QH Juvenile at Ruidoso Downs last year. He has won three of 11 starts and earned $174,033.

MJ Farms' bred 3-year-olds won three of the four trials and included qualifiers—Pick Your Pour (3rd), Vintage Bourdeaux (4th), Codex (5th), and White Knight (6th).

Flash Divine, a graded stakes-placed son of champion sire First Moonflash, was a half-length winner in the closing trial to record the second fastest time of :19.221 seconds, a 103 speed index into a 10 mph headwind.

Trainer Jesus Rondan, Jr., named jockey Manuel Gutierrez to ride the homebred for owner-breeders Jimmy Negrete and Jimmy Vazquez. Out of the graded stakes winner and stakes-producer Girlonethego, by Man On The Move, Flash Divine has won four of 11 starts and earned $110,717.

Trainer James j. Gonzales, II led all trainers with three qualifiers and Jesus Rondan, Jr. saddled two finalist.

For a complete list of New Mexico Cup Derby (RG2) qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.