Handin Out Candy powers home to win the $100,000 King Rick Rack Stakes (G2) at Zia Park on Sunday.

©Coady Media

By StallioneSearch

HOBBS, NM–DECEMBER 14, 2025–Alabama-bred Handin Out Candy continued his outstanding season Sunday afternoon at Zia Park, digging in late to capture the $100,000 King Rick Rack Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds and upward.

Guided by Omar Iturralde, Handin Out Candy outfinished determined rival GJR Rooster following a prolonged duel through the demanding 870 yards, edging clear in the final strides to score by 1 1/4 lengths. The winner stopped the clock in 44.784 seconds, earning a 98 speed index over a fast track.

The winning connections of Handin Out Candy accept the $100,000 King Rick Rack Stakes-G2 trophy at Zia Park on Sunday. © Coady Media

Trained by Paul Sedillo for owner Emilio Perez, the sorrel gelding is by Champion Sire Jess Good Candy and out of Ole Auntie Em, a winning mare by Dash Ta Fame. Bred in Alabama by Paris Wixon, Handin Out Candy was a $20,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale purchase. The King Rick Rack victory earned him the $59,400 winner’s share, boosting his lifetime bankroll to $299,581.

The Grade 2 score further cemented Handin Out Candy’s dominant 2025 campaign, during which he has won six of seven starts. He entered Sunday’s race off bzack-to-back victories in the AQHA Distance Challenge Championship (G1) and the Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge (G2), and he has now hit the board in 21 of 36 career outings.

Rock Ya Later closed steadily to finish second for Oscar Andrade, Jr. The Texas-bred gelding is trained by Tammy Johnson for Rockin J Running Horses. By Rock Solid Jess out of Dosvedanya, by Seperate Interest, Rock Ya Later holds a solid 36-7-6-9 career record with earnings of $287,632. His resume includes wins in the Sandia Stakes and last year’s King Rick Rack Stakes (G2).

Early leader GJR Rooster held on for third after setting the pace throughout the early stages. Ridden by Christian Ramos, the Texas-bred gelding is trained by Zackary Stinebaugh for owners Richard Young, Joe David Yates and Zack Stinebaugh. By This Is An Eagle out of Granny Grump, by A Little Illegal, GJR Rooster was making his first start since capturing the Lone Star Park Distance Championship and is also a winner of the Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes (G2). He now has a career record of 19-4-7-3 with earnings of $162,379.

Volcoms Favorite, Dazzlin Drama, Master Reigns, and KJ Sky Pilot completed the field.

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