Milagro Lady (#7), under jockey  under jockey Manual Gutierrez, $200,000 New Mexico Quarter Horse Fillies and Mares Championship at Zia Park Sunday afternoon.

© Coady Photography

HOBBS, NM—NOVEMBER 26, 2023–Never far back, Milagro Lady took the lead at odds of 25-1 then held on to win the $200,000 restricted Grade 1 New Mexico Quarter Horse Fillies and Mares Championship at Zia Park by half-a-length Sunday afternoon.

Ridden by jockey Manuel Gutierrez Milagro Lady completed the 400 yards in :19.184 seconds, equaling a 104 speed index with a 5 mph tailwind. The winner's purse valued at $116,400 boosts her career mark to nearly $200,000.

Trainer Lonnie Vaughn saddled the daughter to third-crop sire Rite Favorite to her third career win in 16 starts for owner Neale Edwards. R. Stratton, S. and N. Edwards bred the 3-year-old from the Jesse James Jr mare Ping Pong Patty.

Runner-up Brookes Legacy was a game second under jockey Jacob Enriquez to earn $38,800. Armando Alamos trains the graded stakes winning daughter of leading New Mexico sire Big Daddy Cartel for owner Oscar Diaz. Samantha and Lily Leyba bred the gray filly from the Apollitical Jess mare Apollitical Brooke. She has earned $83,468 in 14 career starts.

The winning connections of Milagro Lady accept the New Mexico Quarter Horse Fillies and Mares Championship stakes trophy. © Coady Photography

A head back Ebw Dancnthemoonlite earned $19,400 for third. David Gomez-Barraza trains the stakes-placed First Moonflash filly for owner Jimmy Vasquez. Emilo Tapia was riding the Ernie and Brenda Wood bred earner of $156,808. She is out of the Favorite Cartel mare Dance Like A Fool.

Milagro Lady returned $50 to win, $19 to place and $12 to show. Brookes Legacy paid $8.40 to place and $5.40 to show and Ebw Dancnthemoonlite returned $3.60 to who.

My Heart Jess Runs, Cat Got A Diamond, Make Roon, Bf Jessrageous, Kj Daddys Money and Warm Red Wine completed the field. Woodys Storm was scratched.