Fastest qualifier Baref Hurricane Rush delivered another winning performance Wednesday afternoon at Ajax Downs, capturing the $42,538 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity and extending her winning streak to two consecutive races.

Ridden by Corry Beland, the two-year-old filly overcame a slow start to secure a three-quarter-length victory over Bnb Jessagoldheart. Baref Hurricane Rush completed the 400-yard distance in :20.619 over a fast track, earning an 83 speed index.

Trained by Corey Illman, Baref Hurricane Rush is a homebred for Earl Foster. She is sired by Rushago and out of the Sugarman Perry mare Sugarnspicenotsonice.

Wednesday's victory marked her second consecutive win and improved her career record to 4-2-1-1. The $17,016 winner's share of the purse boosted her total earnings to $31,595. She entered the September 30 trials following a runner-up finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity.

Bnb Jessagoldheart turned in a game effort to finish second under jockey D. Benitez for owner and trainer Joe Tavares. The filly broke sharply and established an early lead before yielding to the eventual winner.

Bred by Rainee Browning, Bnb Jessagoldheart is a $5,500 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale graduate. She is sired by All American Derby (G1) winner Gold Heart Eagle V and out of the winning Apollitical Jess mare Jessa Clean Slate. The runner-up finish improved her career record to 4-0-1-0 and increased her earnings to $10,364.

Stellaaaa rounded out the top three with a strong third-place effort under jockey Ramiro Castillo for trainer Bob Broadstock. A homebred for Marie Broadstock, the filly is sired by San Lorenzo and out of the Stel Corona mare Get A Leg Up.

Stellaaaa now holds a career record of 3-0-0-1 with $8,402 in earnings. She began her racing career in July with a fourth-place finish in the Ontario Bred Futurity.

Had To Be Valiant finished fourth, followed by Cold Hard Chief, Snowy Goose, Imablazinrush, My Gypsy Girl, and Imperial Miracle. Whole Lotta Moxxie was scratched by the veterinarian.

The Alex Picov Memorial Futurity was contested at 400 yards for two-year-old Quarter Horses who qualified through the September 30 trials.

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MJ Farms, one of New Mexico's most established Quarter Horse breeding operations, has announced its stallion fees for the 2027 breeding season, featuring a five-stallion roster headed by leading sires Big Daddy Cartel and Eye Am King.

The Veguita, New Mexico, farm, owned by Mac Murray and Janis Spencer Murray, DVM, will stand both Big Daddy Cartel and Eye Am King for $9,500 in 2027. Condigo will stand for $4,500, while fees for Jesse James Jr and Woodbridge are listed as private.

Early booking discounts of $1,000 are available for Big Daddy Cartel, Eye Am King, and Condigo for breeders who book by February 15, 2027.

Big Daddy Cartel, a son of Corona Cartel out of Miss Racy Eyes, by Mr Eye Opener, returns at a $9,500 fee. The multiple Grade 1 sire currently ranks fourth nationally among all Quarter Horse sires by 2026 earnings, with $3,678,623 from 78 winners and nine stakes winners. His leading money earner this season is Baby Daddy Cartel ($475,622).

Among his leading lifetime performers are Bigg Daddy SI 98 ($753,768), winner of the Zia Futurity (RG1) and Zia Derby (RG2); Eddy Cartel SI 92 ($727,684), winner of the New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity (RG2); and Cat Daddys Lil Girl SI 102 ($565,806), a multiple Grade 1 stakes winner.

Big Daddy Cartel's yearlings have also enjoyed a solid showing in the 2026 sales market. Through October 20, 40 yearlings sold for a combined $1,280,700, averaging $32,018 with a median price of $26,000. The results reflect continued demand for offspring of the established New Mexico sire.

Eye Am King, a son of Mr Jess Perry out of Eye for Corona, by Corona Cartel, will also stand for $9,500. The sire ranks 10th nationally among all Quarter Horse sires in 2026, with $2,205,039 in earnings from 50 winners and seven stakes winners.

His leading lifetime performer is King Of The Tide SI 102 ($1,624,708), winner of the All American Futurity (G1). Other prominent offspring include RC Corona King SI 108 ($773,462), a multiple Grade 1 winner; Bella De Ball SI 97 ($634,374), winner of the New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG2); and Harken SI 105 ($471,203), a multiple graded stakes winner.

Eye Am King's offspring have also attracted considerable attention at the 2026 yearling sales. Through October 20, 50 yearlings sold for a combined $2,111,000, averaging $42,220 with a median of $27,500.

Condigo, a son of Valiant Hero out of Astica, by Jesse James Jr, will stand for a regular fee of $4,500. Breeders who book by February 15, 2027, can take advantage of a reduced $3,500 fee.

The 2022 bay stallion entered stud in 2025, and his first crop will be yearlings in 2027.

Condigo SI 103 won two of four career starts, earning $26,536, and finished second in the Albuquerque Juvenile Stakes. He was also a finalist in the Ruidoso Downs Juvenile Challenge (G3).

A member of the accomplished Astica female family, Condigo offers breeders the bloodlines of leading sire Valiant Hero combined with one of New Mexico's prominent maternal families.

All three stallions’ offspring are eligible for the Black Gold Program, and Eye Am King has been nominated to the Fuego Incentive program - Caliente Flight.

Two additional stallions, Jesse James Jr and Woodbridge, are available at private fees.

Jesse James Jr, a son of Mr Jess Perry, has been a longtime fixture in New Mexico's breeding industry and an established sire of stakes performers.

Woodbridge, a son of Dash Ta Fame, rounds out the five-horse roster. He has established a reputation as a sire of Quarter Horse runners, particularly within the New Mexico breeding program.

MJ Farms is located in Veguita, New Mexico, and is owned and operated by Mac Murray and Janis Spencer Murray, DVM.

Breeders seeking additional information about the 2027 breeding season, stallion availability, early booking discounts, or breeding contracts may contact MJ Farms at (505) 280-7232 or by email at mjfarms505@aol.com.

Spanish-speaking breeders may contact Assistant Farm Manager Juan Cristobal Flores at (915) 228-6739.

Additional stallion information and farm details are available on the MJ Farms page at StallioneSearch.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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An exciting afternoon of Quarter Horse racing awaits at Hipódromo de las Américas on Sunday, highlighted by two major stakes in the nine-race program. The 43rd running of the approximately $17,100 Futurity Las Américas and the 32nd running of the approximately $44,300 Derby Criadores Mexicanos will bring together promising juveniles and accomplished 3-year-olds.

The afternoon card begins at 3:00 p.m. local time, with the Futurity Las Américas scheduled as the third race at about 4:00 p.m. The Derby Criadores Mexicanos will close the program as the ninth race at about 7:00 p.m.

The $17,100 Futurity Las Américas features five 2-year-olds competing over 400 yards. Flying Rose enters as the 6-5 morning-line favorite after a strong second-place finish in the Alfredo Castro Rea Classic on September 20. The daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 finished a nose behind Already Favorite in the 350-yard event.

Flying Rose has recorded one win, two second-place finishes, and one third-place finish in eight career starts. She has earned approximately $23,900 and has competed against several of Mexico's leading juveniles this season.

Bred in the United States by Garlyn O. Shelton, Flying Rose is out of the Corona Cartel mare, Corona Tea Rose. She races for Cuadra Alpuyeca and trainer Antonio Garcia Carranza. H. Gomez will ride from post five.

A Africana enters as the 5-2 second choice after a fourth-place finish in the Alfredo Castro Rea Classic. The daughter of Apollitical Blood earned her first career victory on August 30, winning a 350-yard trial by 2 1/2 lengths.

The filly has one win and one third-place finish in six starts, with earnings of about $8,700. Bred in Mexico by Armando Leon, A Africana is out of the Corona Cartel mare Spanish Cartel. She races for Rancho La 19 and trainer Victor Jarillo Sanchez, with Paul Oscaldo Rodriguez aboard from post one.

The ninth and final race will feature the approximately $44,300 Derby Criadores Mexicanos. Eleven Mexico-bred 3-year-olds are entered to compete over 440 yards, including several established stakes winners seeking another shot at a major victory.

Dk Goliat enters as the 3-1 morning-line favorite after winning the Derby Desafío Crianza Mexicana on August 30. The son of Danny Cartel captured the 350-yard event by three-quarters of a length over Mi Krash Favorito.

The gelding has won three of seven career starts and finished second three times, earning about $31,500. All three victories have come this season, including an allowance win in June and his maiden win in April.

Bred by Cuadra La Presita, Dk Goliat is out of the Ought To Be First mare Toles. He races for Cuadra San Martin and is trained by Luis Enrique Cruz Solis. Paul Osvaldo Rodriguez will ride from post seven.

Br Chago returns as another leading contender after a successful season that included a victory in the Derby Subasta Selecta on June 28. The son of Jess Lips captured the 400-yard event by one length over Kc Shes Cartel.

The 3-year-old gelding has won four of his ten career starts and earned approximately $55,000. He also won his trial for the Derby Criadores Mexicanos on August 9 by three lengths, then finished fourth in the Derby Desafío Crianza Mexicana.

Bred by Maximiliano Perez Castañeda, Br Chago is out of the Ocean Runaway mare Ocean Glory. He races for Cuadra Bronco Rider, with trainer Liderme Rene Gomez Diaz. Huberclein Gomez will ride from post five.

With established stakes winners and accomplished finalists competing in both events, Sunday's program offers several runners the chance to add another important victory to their careers.

The Futurity Las Américas is scheduled as race three at approximately 4:00 p.m., and the Derby Criadores Mexicanos will conclude the nine-race program at approximately 7:00 p.m. at Hipódromo de las Américas.

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