Shafer and jockey Christian Cardenas posted the fastest qualifying time for the $310,303 Mountain Top Futurity (RG2) on May 29 at The Downs at Albuquerque.

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By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–MAY 29, 2026–Eleven trials were contested on May 29 at The Downs at Albuquerque to determine the ten finalists for the $310,303 Mountain Top Futurity (RG2) for New Mexico-bred 2-year-olds. The fastest ten qualifiers will return on June 14 for the futurity final, while the next ten fastest qualifiers will compete in the $50,000 guaranteed Mountain Top Juvenile.

The day belonged to powerhouse breeder MJ Farms, which bred seven of the ten fastest qualifiers, all sired by leading New Mexico stallion Big Daddy Cartel.

Topping the qualifiers was Shafer, who captured the second trial in the fastest time of the afternoon, covering 350 yards in :17.297 while earning a 95 speed index.

Bred by MJ Farms, the gray gelding is owned by Triple R Racing Stables LLC, Tye Baca, Tungsten Racing Partnership, and Ted Rushing. Christian Cardenas rode the James Gonzales III trainee to a commanding 2¼-length victory.

A $350,000 graduate of the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale, Shafer is by Big Daddy Cartel and out of champion Astica ($411,623).

He is a half-brother to World Champion Asscher ($489,674), while the female family also includes champion Alice K White ($276,837). The impressive effort came in the gelding's career debut.

The second-fastest qualifier was Perrys Alibi, who won the opening trial in :17.385 with a 92 speed index. Bred by Carlos Carrasco, the gray gelding races for Upper Valley Racing Partners LLC and is trained by David Gomez-Barraza. Jaime Parga Leos guided the son of BP Cartels Alibi to a 1/2-length victory.

A $15,000 repurchase from the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale, Perrys Alibi is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Perrys Pleasure, a half-sister to Champion J Fire Up ($1,468,361).

His second dam is champion This Boogie Fires ($64,040). The gelding improved his record to 4-1-1-1 with earnings of $33,948 after entering the trials off a third-place finish in the New Mexico Breeders Futurity (G2).

Third on the list was Bridger, who dominated the seventh trial in :17.400 while posting a 92 speed index. Bred by MJ Farms, the gelding races for Tungsten Racing Partnership and Rancho El 48 LLC and is trained by Omar Vargas. Jose Ortiz was aboard for the 1¾-length victory.

The $155,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate is by Eye Am King and out of the winning Blushing Bug mare Bridgette Bordeaux.

Bridger is a full brother to graded stakes winners Vintage Bordeaux ($372,959) and Broadbent ($171,396). Undefeated in three starts, the gelding has now earned $195,402, highlighted by his victory in the New Mexican Spring Futurity (G2) at Sunland Park.

View full list of Futurity qualifiers HERE.

Heading the qualifiers for the Mountain Top Juvenile was Tempered Daddy, who posted the fastest non-final qualifying time after finishing second in the sixth trial. The gelding stopped the clock in :17.593 with an 86 speed index.

Bred by Sissie and Bob McClure, who co-own the gelding with J and SM Inc., Tempered Daddy was ridden by Gabriel Medrano for trainer John Stinebaugh. The son of Big Daddy Cartel is out of the winning, stakes-placed Sixes Royal mare Truly Tempered and was making just his second career start.

View full list of Juvenile Qualifiers HERE.

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