Restrictions, guided by Carlos Guillen Chacon wins the $285,499 La Fiesta Futurity at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sunday

© Coady Photography

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–SEPTEMBER 25, 2022–Sunday evening’s La Fiesta races proved to be a success for breeder Steve D. Burns, DVM of California, who bred the top three finalists in both the futurity and derby. Restrictions, Babes and Lake Havasu were the top 1-2-3 for the $285,499 La Fiesta Futurity at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sunday. 

Ridden by Carlos Guillen Chacon, Restrictions broke from the five hole in third place and rallied up the 400-yard raceway edging his way to the finish line for a 3/4-length victory over Babes, who was ridden by Luis Flores-Garcia. 

The post-time favorite’s victory win in :19.580 seconds with an 93 speed index resulted in a $6.80 payout on a $2.00 wager. Babes’ second place finish at 25-1 odds paid $17.00 to show.

The winning connections of Restrictions accept the La Festa Futurity stakes trophy on Sunday at The Downs.
© Coady Photography

La Fiesta Futurity is the third consecutive win for Restrictions and his first stakes win. The $142,676 winner’s share ups his bankroll to $161,214. The son of Seperate Interest was a finalist in the Four Corners Futurity and West Texas Juvenile Stakes earlier this season.

Trainer Juan Gonzalez bought Restrictions for $40,000 in last year’s Los Alamitos Equine Sale and he is currently owned by Patricia Gonzalez and Patricia Acosta. 

Restrictions dam is Golden State Million Futurity (G1) winner Little Talks by Favorite Cartel. He is a half-brother to Perfect Practice who placed third in this evenings La Fiesta Derby.

Runner-up Babes was bumped at the start but dueled for the wire, finishing a 1/2-length ahead of Lake Havasu. Trained by Marco Flores, the daughter of Foose has yet to break her maiden, but the second place finish upped her earnings to $66,598 for owner Vista Del Sol, Inc. 

Babes was a $38,000 Los Alamitos Equine Sale graduate last year. She is out of the Blue Hen Mare Babe On The Fly, by Strawfly Special, who is the grandam of Restrictions.

Third place finisher Lake Havasu has two career wins with $59,981 in earnings. The son of Seperate Interest is owned and trained by his jockey Osman Iturralde, who purchased him for $10,500 in last year’s Heritage Place Yearling Sale. He is out of the Foose mare No Arizona, who is also the dam of today’s La Fiesta Derby runner-up Alamo Lake.

Completing the order of finish is Kj Wicked Wanda, Dynasty Star V, Kvn Empress, La Brujita Mayor, Chaposdashingbrother and One Last Ya. Kiss, Kj Bootscootin Jess and Marshal Dillon were scratched.

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

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