Freedom Flash, under jockey under jockey Alfredo Sigala, winning the $150,000 New Mexico Classic Cup 870 Championship at Zia Park on Sunday.

© Coady Photography

HOBBS, NM—NOVEMBER 26, 2023–New Mexico Classic weekend at Zia Park kicked off Sunday with the $150,000 New Mexico Classic Cup 870 Championship.  The track host six official stakes races restricted to registered state-bred Quarter Horses on Sunday's card.

With a strong driving finish under jockey Alfredo Sigala, multiple graded stakes winner defeated First Apollo Moon by three-quarters to take home winner's purse valued at $88,200. The son of champion sire First Moonflash completed the 870 yards in :44.504 seconds, equaling a 107 speed index with a 5 mph tailwind.

Trainer Todd W. Fincher conditions  the 7-year-old gelding for owner-breeders Leslie and Pierre Amestoy, Jr. and Roger Beasley.  Out of the Southern Halo (TB) mare Mi Camila (TB), Freedom Flash has won eight of 34 career starts and earned $532,727.

The winning connections of Freedom Flash accept the New Mexico Classic Cup 870 Championship stakes trophy.
© Coady Photography

Runner-up First Apollo Moon, also by First Moonflash, earned $29,400 for finishing second. Jockey Gerardo Vera had the riding call aboard the 6-year-old for owner Isidoro Esparza. Ramon Gonzalez Jr. bred the $150,878 graded stakes-placed earner from the Feature Mr Jess mare Officer Of The Court.  Cosme Velasquez is the trainer.

Julian A. Aguirre's Miss Tizy finishing half-a-length back to earn $14,700 for third. David Hancock saddled the Mr Special Cartel mare from the Quinton's Gold (TB) mare Tizy Fit. Hermenegildo Aldavaz bred the graded-placed earner of $93,525. Noe Garcia, Jr. was riding.

El Vital, Sonny Surfer, Big Moon Dawg, Dan The Flashman and pastime favorite Classy Moon completed the field.