Champion Danjer will look to defend his title in Sunday’s 440-yard, $300,000 Albuquerque Fall Championship (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Photography

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 15, 2021—Danjer, the sport’s reigning champion aged horse, will try to defend his title in Sunday’s 440-yard, $300,000 Albuquerque Fall Championship (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Danjer is a 5-year-old son of champion FDD Dynasty owned by Downtime Enterprises LLC, Billy G. Smith, and trainer Dean Frey. The brown gelding brings in a three-race win streak that includes a neck victory in the May 29, 440-yard Debbie Schauf Remington Park Invitational Championship (G1), and a head victory in the September 6, 440-yard All American Gold Cup (G1) at Ruidoso Downs.

Danjer has won 13 of 23 races, including nine of 14 at the classic 440-yard distance, and his two wins in as many starts at Albuquerque include last year’s Albuquerque Fall Championship. The gelding drew post 8 and will be ridden by Cody Smith.

Other contenders include Valiant Tiberias, a 5-year-old Valiant Hero gelding trained by Hector Jacquez for owners Sergio Holguin, Clifton Nielsen, and Felix Rodriguez. Valiant Tiberias will be making his first official start since August 7, when he scored a clear two-length victory as the 1-5 favorite in the 440-yard, $56,000 Bank of America Retama Championship Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park.

Valiant Tiberias drew post 2 and will be ridden by Juan Pulido.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:

1. Marcus Medallion (Adrian Ramos)
2. Valiant Tiberias (Juan Pulido)
3. Jess A Satin Flash (Alejandro Medellin)
4. Chicks Baby Suds (Jaime Parga Leos)
5. Dr Tool (Jesus Valenzuela)
6. Don Chuy C (Jose Enrique Ortiz)
7. Bella Faccia (Alfredo Sigala)
8. Danjer (Cody Smith)

All Downs at Albuquerque races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.