By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch.com

FARMINGTON, NM–APRIL 18, 2025–My First Luv got the nod in a blanket finish Friday afternoon for the $81,000 New Mexico Breeders' Stakes opening day at SunRay Park in Farmington, New Mexico. Multiple stakes winner and post-time favorite Pavel was a neck back, followed by Easily Bella Csj for third.

Owner-trainer Joel Gutierrez tapped jockey Brian Barraza to ride My First Luv to victory. The 3-year-old daughter of champion sire First Moonflash picked up her first stakes win while completing the 400 yards in 19.680 seconds, a 90 speed index into an 8 mph crosswind.

It was her third career win in 11 starts for the New Mexico-bred filly out of Desperate Love by Walk Thru Fire.  Bred by Mark and Fay Annett McCloy, My First Luv earned $48,600 to boost her bankroll total to $142,220.

Runner-up, Pavel had his three-race win streak snapped under jockey Luis Martinez.  The winner of the New Mexican Spring Futurity(RG2), New Mexico Breeders' Futurity(RG3), and the New Mexico Classic Juvenile is owned and trained by Jorge Luis Sanchez, Jr.
 

MRB Racing LLC bred the son of Czar Cartel from the Tempting Dash mare Camelia. He has banked $22,500 for second, pushing his earnings to $355,930 from 10 career starts.

 

Coming off a win in the restricted Grade 3 Sunburst Stakes in her last start, March 2, Easily Bella Csj earned $8,100 for finishing third under jockey Jacob Enriquez. Trainer Julian Rey Honesto conditions the daughter of the One Famous Eagle stallion Bella Faccia for owner Christian Olivas.  

Mario Dominguez bred the filly from the Bono Jazz mare Easily Bono. She has banked $153,602 in nine career starts.

Row By Row, Prized Patriot, Two Macho For You, Don Chuy Jr, Alamos, and Why Not Me 2 completed the field. Three Finger Jack broke the gate before the race and was scratched.

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