Handin Out Candy, under jockey Omar Iturralde, was much the best in Saturday’s $118,975 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship(G1) at Albuquerque Downs.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 17, 2025—Showing early speed and strong staying power, Handin Out Candy proved much the best in Saturday’s Grade 1 $118,975 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship at Albuquerque Downs, covering the 870 yards in 44.496 seconds with a 102 speed index.

Ridden confidently by Omar Iturralde for owner Emilio Perez and trainer Paul Sedillo, the 6-year-old sorrel gelding broke sharply, took command early, and never looked back, crossing the wire two and one-quarter lengths in front under clear skies with a six-mile-per-hour tailwind on a fast track.

Bred in Alabama by Paris Wixon, Handin Out Candy is by Jess Good Candy out of Ole Auntie Em, by Dash Ta Fame. The multiple stakes performer has been a durable and consistent runner throughout his career, and his latest victory added $58,298 to his earnings.

The winning connections of RLH Fouronthefloor accept the Casino at the Downs Stakes trophy at Albuquerque Downs Saturday night. © Coady Media

The son of champion Jess Good Candy went through the ring at the 2025 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, where he was a $30,000 repurchase. The multiple graded stakes winner entered the race off a victory in the Q-Racing Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge on September 20.  He has won eight of 35 starts and banked $240,181.

Gjr Rooster, a 4-year-old gelding by This Is An Eagle out of Granny Grump-TB, by A Little Illegal-TB, finished second after pressing the pace throughout. Trained by Zack Stinebaugh and ridden by Christian Ramos, Gjr Rooster ran a determined race to secure the runner-up spot for owners Richard Young, Joe David Yates, and Zack Stinebaugh.

Bred in Texas by Gerald Rich, the gelding picked up $24,985 to boost his bankroll to $123,279. The restricted Grade 2 stakes winner was a $15,500 purchase at the 2022 TQHA Yearling Sale.

West Tx Rain, a 4-year-old gray gelding by Stellar Rain-TB out of Cartier N Capris, by Attila’s Storm-TB, closed well along the inside to take third under jockey Christian Cardenas.

Trained and bred in New Mexico by Gene Garcia, West Tx Rain races for owners Kathy L. Grine, Gene C. Garcia, and Reyes J. Garcia. He earned $12,492 for his solid performance, bringing his career mark to $58,565.

Handin Out Candy crossed the wire two and one-quarter lengths in front of Gjr Rooster, with another length separating the second and third finishers. The total value of the race was $118,975, with prize money distributed through seventh place.

Pari-mutuel payoffs returned $6.80 to win, $4.00 to place, and $3.20 to show on Handin Out Candy. Gjr Rooster paid $5.20 to place and $3.80 to show, while West Tx Rain returned $3.60 to show. The $1 exacta paid $16.80, the $0.50 trifecta returned $46.90, and the $1 superfecta paid $213.40.

Following the top three finishers were O Donovan Rossa, Wynnchester, Volcoms Favorite, and The Dream.

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