ALBUQUERQUE, NM—JULY 20, 2017— Albuquerque Downs will present the first Quarter Horse stakes of its season on Sunday, as a field of seven has been entered in the 870-yard, $50,000-added AQHA Albuquerque Distance Challenge (G3).

Jess A Hilbily Bone, a homebred 6-year-old son of Rock Solid Jess racing for Rockin J Running Horses, will be making his first-ever start at Albuquerque Downs. The gelding is coming off of a Remington Park spring campaign during which he won two of five starts, including the 870-yard, $50,000 Remington Park Distance Championship (G3) on June 3.

Jess A Hilbily Bone was voted distance horse of the meet at Remington. He drew post 7 and will be ridden by Benito Baca for trainer Tammy Johnson.

Other contenders include Kingsbury, a 6-year-old FDD Dynasty gelding owned by Javier V. Beltran and trainer Tony Sedillo and the 9-5 morning-line favorite. Kingsbury will be making his first start since May 5, when he scored a 2-3/4-length victory in the 870-yard, $30,000 SunRay Park Marathon Handicap at SunRay Park.

Kingsbury was an 870-yard allowance winner at Albuquerque Downs last year. The gelding drew post 4 and will be ridden by Jose Enrique Ortiz.

The winner of this race will earn a starting berth in the October 14, $105,000 AQHA Distance Challenge Championship (G1) at Prairie Meadows near Des Moines, Iowa. The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

1. Classic James (Alejandro Medellin), 12-1
2. Daring And Dashing (J. Martin Bourdieu), 10-1
3. Fire Thorn (Duane Sterling), 3-1
4. Kingsbury (Jose Enrique Ortiz), 9-5
5. April Dawn (Miguel Perez), 15-1
6. Rock A Billy (Luis H. Rodriguez), 4-1
7. Jess A Hilbily Bone (Benito Baca), 7-2

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NOTES FROM THE DOWNS: Albuquerque Downs will be offering simulcast wagering on two Grade 1 Quarter Horse stakes from Ruidoso Downs this weekend, the 440-yard, $1.15-million Rainbow Derby (G1) for 3-year-olds on Saturday, and the 400-yard, $1-million Rainbow Futurity (G1) on Sunday. Simulcast wagering is available in the racetrack grandstand and the First Turn Lounge in the casino…Through the first 15 days of the 58-day meet, J. Martin Bourdieu leads all Thoroughbred jockeys with 15 wins from 48 mounts, and he is also the top Quarter Horse rider with six wins from 30 mounts. Justin Evans has prepped the winners of 15 races from 55 starters, topping all Thoroughbred trainers, while Jesus Carrete leads all Quarter Horse trainers with eight wins from 20 starters.

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Albuquerque Downs 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 (via the casino entrance on Louisiana and Central) are always free. For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the “Racing” link at the top of the homepage.