My Golden Boy delivered a determined performance Sunday afternoon at The Downs at Albuquerque, holding off favored Flying Cowboys Candy to capture the Grade 3, $495,569 La Fiesta Futurity in a tightly contested finish.

Ridden by Jacob Enriquez, the two-year-old gelding broke sharply from post position four and quickly moved into contention. After racing just off the early leader, My Golden Boy took a narrow advantage and battled under pressure through the final yards, holding off Flying Cowboys Candy by a neck. He completed the 400-yard contest in :19.409 over a fast track, earning a 94 speed index while racing into a four-mph headwind.

Sent off at odds of 9-2, My Golden Boy returned $11.00 to win and secured the richest victory of his young career.

Owned by Christopher and Melody Lykins, My Golden Boy is trained by Renee Wilson. Bred in Texas by Valeriano Racing LLC/R. Medrano, the gelding is a $45,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate.

He is a son of leading first-crop sire Golden Boi, whose first crop of runners has already generated more than $1.4 million in progeny earnings. My Golden Boy is out of the winning Apollitical Jess mare My Mystery Lover.

Sunday's victory improved his career record to 8-3-2-1, with the $247,784 winner's share boosting his lifetime earnings to $304,870. The gelding entered the September 25 qualifying trials following a sixth-place finish in the All American Juvenile and was also a finalist in the Ruidoso Futurity (G1) earlier this season.

Flying Cowboys Candy turned in a determined runner-up effort under Christian Ramos, dueling with the winner throughout the closing stages before coming up a neck short. The 3-2 favorite broke third from post six, advanced to challenge for the lead, and stopped the clock in :19.445, earning a 93 speed index.

Owned by CHR Racing and trained by Tony Sedillo, Flying Cowboys Candy was bred by PV Quarter Horse Farms LLC. The $39,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate is a son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of the Cartels Candy Man mare Candy Cartels Candy, a half-sister to champion Jess Good Candy ($2,014,703), winner of the All American Futurity (G1).

Flying Cowboys Candy now owns a record of 10-3-5-1 with $296,091 in career earnings. The colt previously qualified for the All American Futurity (G1) and recorded runner-up finishes in both the Rainbow Juvenile and West Texas Juvenile.

Fastest qualifier Komandeaux rallied late to finish third under Sergio Becerra Jr., closing strongly from sixth during the early stages to secure the show position. Breaking fourth from post eight, the colt gained ground in the final strides and finished just a head behind Flying Cowboys Candy. He completed the distance in :19.460, earning a 92 speed index.

Owned by Homero Hermilo Campa-Mireles and trained by Omar Vargas, Komandeaux was bred by Bobby D. Cox. The $60,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate is sired by champion sire Favorite Cartel and is out of the stakes-winning Jess Louisiana Blue mare Jessa Louisiana Zoom.

His third dam is four-time champion Corona Cash ($1,542,880), winner of the All American Futurity (G1).

Komandeaux now has a career record of 6-2-1-2 with $80,397 in earnings. Earlier this season, he finished fourth in the Rainbow Juvenile.

Mw Wishyouhadahero finished fourth after showing early speed before tiring late. Aint It Tempting, Tater Hill Senator, No Vacancee, Sephora 157, Dynastys Dash, and Metal Potion T completed the order of finish.

The La Fiesta Futurity (G3) was contested as the ninth and final race on Sunday's program at The Downs at Albuquerque, bringing together ten qualifying two-year-olds competing for one of the afternoon's richest purses.

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Rancho El Dorado announces that two-time graded stakes winner Electrifying Cowboy is now enrolled in the Fuego Stallion Incentive Program’s Azul Flight. He will return for his second season at stud in Anthony, New Mexico, in 2027 at a fee of $4,000.

According to the farm’s announcement, his 2026 foals and foals resulting from 2027 breedings will be eligible for the Azul Flight.

Bred in Texas by Paragon Farms, Electrifying Cowboy is owned by Tungsten Racing LLC and Ron Sugamosto. He is the only multiple graded stakes-winner and highest money-earning son of Flying Cowboy 123 standing at stud.

A MULTIPLE GRADED STAKES WINNER

Electrifying Cowboy won six of his 10 career starts, beginning with a debut victory in the 2024 West Texas Futurity (G2) trials that secured his place in the final. He later won his Ruidoso Futurity (G1) trial to qualify for the $1 million final.

In the fall of 2024, he began a four-race winning streak that included setting the fastest qualifying time for the La Fiesta Futurity (G3) and returning to win the final. He followed with a victory in the Southwest Juvenile Invitational Stakes (G2) at Zia Park.

His final victory came in a Ruidoso Derby trial. Following one additional start in the Rainbow Derby trials, his connections retired him to begin his stallion career.

A RECORD-SETTING SIRE LINE

Flying Cowboy 123 has established a series of sire records since his first runners reached the track. In 2023, he set the all-time first-crop sire earnings record with more than $4.3 million, represented by 50 winners and 17 stakes victories, including nine graded wins.

He followed in 2024 with an all-time second-year sire earnings record of nearly $5.4 million. His runners accounted for 97 winners and 17 stakes victories, including five graded wins.

Flying Cowboy 123 led third-year sires in 2025 with more than $7.2 million in progeny earnings. In 2026, with his fourth crop racing, he surpassed Apollitical Jess to establish the all-time single-season sire earnings record with more than $10.8 million.

From four crops to race, Flying Cowboy 123 has sired 351 winners and 128 black type performers from 575 starters. His progeny have earned $28 million, averaging approximately $48,500 per starter.

His runners include two All American Futurity (G1) winners: Cowboys Flying SI 111, with earnings of $2,062,793, and two-time champion Cowboys Gun Z SI 101, with $1,678,945. He also sires Lethal Cowboy 123 SI 98, an earner of $1,550,372.

A FAMILY WITH GENERATIONS OF STAKES SUCCESS

Electrifying Cowboy is a full brother to stakes-placed Cowboy 123, an earner of $169,289, and Flyn Electric Cowboy, who earned $56,137. He is also a half brother to Grade 3 winner Famous Carmilita, an earner of $56,244.

His dam, Corona Carmelita, earned $49,318 and was a finalist in the Ruidoso Derby (G1). She is a full sister to All American Futurity (G1) finalist Love Samba, an earner of $184,182. Love Samba produced stakes winner Rockin Red Rhythm, who earned $56,233, and is the grandam of stakes winner Lovely Josie James, an earner of $167,187.

Corona Carmelita is also a full sister to Darling Corona, dam of stakes winner El Tartanero Jess, an earner of $121,768, and a half sister to stakes winner Gallant Mystic, who earned $90,965.

Electrifying Cowboy’s second dam is a half sister to two-time AQHA champion Dashin Is Easy, an earner of $775,123, and stakes winner Dashin Prince Henry, who earned $178,046. His third dam is a winning half sister to Grade 3 winner Jody O Toole and to the dam of AQHA champion Eyesa Special, an earner of $1,394,911.

2027 BREEDING INFORMATION

With six career victories, two graded stakes wins and a family rich in stakes performers, Electrifying Cowboy brings established racing credentials to Rancho El Dorado’s breeding program. His enrollment in Fuego’s Azul Flight adds another opportunity for breeders considering him for 2027.

For more information or to request a breeding contract, contact farm manager Yeritza Carrasco at (575) 502-0598 or (575) 386-2912, or email ranchoeldorado290@yahoo.com.

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All-time leading money-earning Quarter Horse Kj Desparado added another Grade 1 victory to his remarkable career Saturday night, holding off a determined Stetsonn by a neck in the $290,375 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The 7-year-old gelding, sent off as the 6-5 favorite, completed the 440 yards in 21.063 seconds, earning a 98 speed index over a fast racing surface while facing a 4-mph headwind.

Ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. for trainer Wesley T. Giles, Kj Desparado broke sharply from post six, established an early advantage, and maintained a narrow lead through the stretch. Under a strong drive, the veteran champion turned back Stetsonn's challenge to secure the $133,573 winner's share.

The victory increased Kj Desparado's career earnings to $3,617,850, further extending his position as the richest racing American Quarter Horse in history.

Owned by John Lee, Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares, Kj Desparado is a 7-year-old brown gelding by leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Tres Veses, by Tres Seis. He was bred in Arizona by L&L Land & Cattle.

Saturday's victory improved his career record to 19 wins, 11 seconds, and one third from 38 starts.

Kj Desparado's extraordinary racing career includes victories in the All American Futurity (G1), Texas Classic Futurity (G1), Ruidoso Derby (G1), All American Derby (G1), Texas Classic Derby (G1), All American Gold Cup (G1), and two editions of the Refrigerator Championship (G1), among other major stakes.

His latest championship triumph added another prestigious title to a career that has spanned five racing seasons and established him among the sport's all-time greats.

Stetsonn, a 4-year-old gelding by champion Jess Good Candy, turned in a determined runner-up performance, finishing a neck behind the winner and earning $58,075.

Breaking from post seven under champion jockey James A. Flores, Stetsonn raced prominently throughout, dueling with the winner before narrowly missing in the final strides.

Trained by Dean R. Frey for owners G. R. Carter Jr. and Shaena Carter, Stetsonn is a home bred for the Carters. He is out of Stella Lou, by One Famous Eagle.

Stetsonn was an $18,000 RNA at the 2023 Ruidoso Yearling Sale.

The gelding has compiled five wins and one second from 10 career starts, with earnings of $201,029. His accomplishments include a victory in the Remington Park Championship Challenge Stakes (G2), along with finalist appearances in the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and Remington Park Derby (RG1).

Scoops Dynasty completed the trifecta, finishing another half-length behind Stetsonn to earn $29,038 for owner Edward J. McNelis.

The 7-year-old gelding, ridden by Jacob Enriquez for trainer Diego Cervantes, raced in fourth early before advancing into third and holding that position by a neck.

Bred by Edward J. and Von Zae McNelis, Scoops Dynasty is by five-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty out of Bye Sweet Girl, by Dashin Bye.

An accomplished Grade 1 winner himself, Scoops Dynasty has earned $844,725 from 36 career starts, recording 11 wins, nine seconds, and four thirds.

His stakes victories include the AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), two editions of the Go Man Go Handicap (G1), Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1), and Golden State Derby (G2).

Hooked N Gone finished fourth, a neck behind Scoops Dynasty, followed by Mysterious Cartel in fifth, Bold N Beautiful in sixth, Eagles Up in seventh, Bee A Freight Train in eighth, Shaundas Eagle in ninth, and Shakers No Secret in tenth.

The championship highlighted Saturday night's AQHA Racing Challenge Championship program at The Downs at Albuquerque, bringing together some of the nation's most accomplished older Quarter Horses.

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A new chapter in Quarter Horse racing will be written Monday afternoon, October 19, when Will Rogers Downs hosts the inaugural $166,100 Will Rogers Oaks. Ten talented three-year-old fillies have earned their places in the starting gate, each seeking to become the first winner of the newly established stakes event.

The historic first running will be contested at 440 yards in the seventh race of the eight-race program, with an approximate post time of 2:48 p.m. First post for the afternoon is set for noon.

The inaugural Oaks has drawn an accomplished field of graded stakes winners, proven finalists, and rising contenders. With $66,440 on the line for the winner, the competition promises to be an exciting addition to the Will Rogers Downs stakes schedule.

Ruse Ticle Knockout leads the field as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. The three-year-old filly enters after an impressive victory in her October 5 trial, where she battled for the lead before pulling away to win by half a length in 21.569 seconds.

The daughter of Apollitical Jess has built an impressive career, with seven wins, two seconds, and four thirds in 15 starts, earning $224,850. She has won three of seven starts this season, including a qualifying trial for the Grade 1 All American Oaks at Albuquerque Downs, where she finished sixth in the $694,000 final on September 6.

Earlier this year, Ruse Ticle Knockout finished third in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Oaks and second in the La Pacifica Handicap, demonstrating her ability to compete with some of the nation's leading sophomore fillies.

Bred in Texas by Five Puig Racing, LLC, the bay filly is by the Tres Seis mare Adolph Tres Knockout. She was purchased for $210,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale and races for Mi Serenity. Trainer Marc E. Jungers will saddle the filly at the inside post, with jockey Edwin G. Escobedo aboard.

Emerald Bay enters as another leading contender after posting the fastest qualifying time in the October 5 trials. The three-year-old filly dominated her heat, drawing away to win by 2 1/4 lengths in 21.576 seconds.

Her commanding trial victory adds to an already successful season that includes a runner-up finish in the Restricted Grade 3 Remington Park Oklahoma Oaks and a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby.

The daughter of Favorite Cartel has demonstrated her ability against stakes competition and will look to carry that momentum into the inaugural final.

Amarillis, listed at 4-1 on the morning line, brings one of the strongest stakes resumes into Monday's championship. The three-year-old filly has earned $311,597 in 12 career starts, with five wins, one second, and three thirds.

She enters after a third-place finish behind Ruse Ticle Knockout in the October 5 trials, where she overcame a slow start and gained ground late to finish three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

Amarillis captured the Restricted Grade 3 $183,000 Remington Park Oklahoma Oaks on April 18, defeating Emerald Bay by half a length. She also won the Restricted Grade 3 $512,000 Black Gold Fillies Futurity at Will Rogers Downs last November, further adding to her impressive record at the Claremore oval.

The daughter of Favorite Cartel is out of the Dominyun mare Astranomical. Bred in Oklahoma by M.C. Stucks, she races for Dusty Rose Ranch, LLC, with Stacey L. Capps as her trainer. Jockey Cody R. Smith will guide the filly from post nine.

Emerald Bay, the 3-1 second choice on the morning line, has six wins, four seconds, and four thirds in 16 career starts, earning $198,180.

Bred in Oklahoma by Mike Vaughan, the daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 is out of the Corona Cartel mare Aqua Girl. She races for Wishbone Partnership and is trained by Michael Moss. Jockey Roman Cruz will ride from post five.

Flying Policy 123, listed at 8-1, brings additional graded stakes experience to the final. The daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 finished third in the Grade 2 $374,000 Heritage Place Oaks at Remington Park earlier this season and was runner-up to Amarillis in last year's Restricted Grade 3 Black Gold Fillies Futurity.

The filly has earned $236,635 in 12 career starts, with three wins, two seconds, and three thirds. She finished third behind Emerald Bay in her October 5 trial.

Bred in Oklahoma by Bill Price, Flying Policy 123 is out of the Tres Seis mare Bp Tres Seis Policy. She races for owner Clay Seal and is trained by Justin W. Joiner. Jockey Mario Delgado will ride from post eight.

Rowdi, a 12-1 morning-line favorite, enters after a commanding one-length victory in her October 5 trial. The daughter of You Drive I Fly also finished second by a nose in the $164,000 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby in July.

Bred and owned by Michele and Craig Snider, Rowdi has earned $72,247 in 11 starts, with two victories, four seconds, and one third. Trainer Tyler Stein will saddle the filly from post six, with jockey Angel O. Ramirez aboard.

With an accomplished field of finalists and several fillies already proven in graded-stakes competition, the inaugural Will Rogers Oaks offers an opportunity to establish a new tradition at the Claremore racetrack.

Only one filly will leave Monday afternoon as the first Will Rogers Oaks champion, adding her name to the history of the newly established event.

The $166,100 Will Rogers Oaks is scheduled as race seven at Will Rogers Downs, with an approximate post time of 2:48 p.m.

The races at Will Rogers Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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