Aj Gold Heart is the 2-1 morning line favorite going into the $30,000-added Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Regional Finals on Friday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© Dustin Orona Photography

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–September 21, 2025–The Friday, September 26 card at Downs at Albuquerque will feature a full slate of stakes and trials. The program includes seven trials for the La Fiesta Quarter Horse Futurity, three for the La Fiesta Quarter Horse Derby. It will conclude with the day’s highlight, the $30,000-added Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Regional Finals.

A field of ten fillies and mares, three years and older, will line up at 400 yards for a berth in the Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship finals on October 18.

Installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite is Aj Gold Heart, a four-year-old mare by Apollitical Jess out of Premier Ethics (by Ethics Aside). Bred in Oklahoma by Rancho El Cabresto, Inc., she was purchased for $65,000 at the Heritage Place Sale by owner Franky A. Busani.

Aj Gold Heart has put together a record of four wins and two runner-up finishes from fifteen starts, banking $474,313 in career earnings. She will start from post position four for trainer Ricardo G. Armendariz, Jr., with jockey Sergio Becerra, Jr. aboard.

Her top challenger is Hallmarke, the 3-1 second choice on the morning line. A six-year-old mare by Duponte out of Zenergy (by First Down Dash), she was bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox and purchased for $17,000 at the Heritage Place Sale by current owner Laney Fowler.

Hallmarke has proven her class over the years with seven wins, eight seconds, and four third-place finishes from 31 career starts, earning $185,022. Trained by James J. Gonzales III, she will break from post six under jockey Christian Cardenas.

With experience, class, and championship aspirations spread across the field, the Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Regional Finals promises to be a thrilling conclusion to a busy day of racing at Downs at Albuquerque.

The Albuquerque Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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