ALBUQUERQUE, NM—AUGUST 16, 2018—Several Albuquerque Downs’ jockeys, accompanied by track chaplain Donny Stover, will make their annual visit to the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital in Albuquerque on Monday afternoon.

At the time of this release, the following jockeys will be accompanying Chaplain Stover on the August 20 visit: Victor Escobar, Don French, Elvin Gonzalez, McKenzie King, Jansen Melancon, and Miguel Perez. The riders will visit with the children and distribute gifts including goggles, winner’s circle photos, and coloring books.

The University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital is the state’s only dedicated children’s hospital and academic medical center. Located in the Barbara & Bill Richardson Pavilion, the hospital cares for thousands of children from throughout the state. The facility is New Mexico’s only Children’s Miracle Network hospital.

$20,000 Billy Powell Claiming Stakes Draws Seven Thoroughbreds

Seven Thoroughbreds, all eligible to be claimed for $6,250, are scheduled to face the starter in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile, $20,000 Billy Powell Claiming Stakes at Albuquerque Downs.

Tyree Jacqueline Wolesensky’s Hunters Appeal, a 4-year-old gelding trained by Ed Kereluk, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite off of his one-length victory in the first division of the 1-mile, $20,000 Downs at Albuquerque Claiming Stakes on July 28. A $6,250 claim at Turf Paradise in Phoenix on May 5, Hunters Appeal has earned $17,268 from seven starts this year.

Hunters Appeal drew post 3 and will be ridden by Jansen Melancon. Kereluk will also send out Dreamcatcher, the 7 3/4-length winner of the second division of the Downs at Albuquerque Claiming Stakes, for owner Humberto Rodriguez. A 9-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Tapit, the gelding drew post 6 and will be ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr.

The Billy Powell Claiming Stakes is the second leg of Albuquerque Downs’ new marathon series, which began with the Downs at Albuquerque Claiming Stakes and concludes with New Mexico’s longest horse race, the 1 13/16-mile, $25,000 Con Jackson Claiming Stakes on September 23, closing day of The Downs’ 55-day meet.

The complete lineup, in postposition order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

1. De Facto (Andrew Ramgeet), 7-2
2. Jen’s Big O (Alfredo Sigala), 10-1
3. Hunters Appeal (Jansen Melancon), 5-2
4. Where’s The Moon (Enrique Gomez), 5-1
5. Hunterwood Point (Enrique Garcia), 12-1
6. Dreamcatcher (Alfredo Juarez Jr.), 7-2

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Notes From The Downs: The Downs will offer simulcast wagering on this weekend’s All American Futurity (G1) and All American Derby (G1) trials from Ruidoso Downs. Sixteen 440-yard All American Futurity trials will be contested on Friday and Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. (MDT), with the five fastest runners from each day qualifying to the September 3, $3-million final. The first of 11 440-yard All American Derby trials will get away at 1 p.m. (MDT) on Sunday. The 10 fastest qualifiers from the All American Derby trials will face off in the September 2, $1-million final. . . . . Simulcast wagering will also be available on Saturday’s $1-million TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar Racetrack. Estimated post time for the 1 1/4-mile race, the richest of the Del Mar summer meet, is set for 7:43 p.m. local time. The Pacific Classic was first run in 1991. Past winners include Lava Man (2006), Game On Dude (’13), Shared Belief (’14), and California Chrome (’16).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Downs at Albuquerque Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair, and general admission and parking are always free (via the casino entrance at Louisiana and Central) . For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racing" link at the top of the homepage.

Fastest qualifier Zoomin Racer will head the 870-yard, $40,000-added AQHA Albuquerque Distance Challenge Stakes (G3)