With Jacob Enriquez aboard, Paige stormed past Bp Moonlight in the final strides to capture Sunday’s $50,000 Balloon City Stakes-G3 at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–SEPTEMBER 7, 2025–Persistence finally paid off for Paige as she powered home with a late gain to capture her long-awaited first career stakes victory in Sunday’s $50,000 Balloon City Stakes-G3 at the Downs at Albuquerque.

With Jacob Enriquez aboard, Paige rallied from mid-pack to nail the wire in 19.358 seconds, earning a 96 speed index. The victory returned a rewarding $18.80 on 8-1 odds.

Known for her consistency, Paige had been a finalist in 11 stakes races, including a third in this year’s Easy Date Stakes-G2 and a sixth in the Decketta Stakes-G2. She was also a finalist in the prestigious All American Futurity-G1 during her freshman season.

 Paige's winning connections accept the Balloon City Stakes trophy at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sunday. © Coady Media

Sunday’s breakthrough finally delivered the black type that had eluded her. The five-year-old mare has now started 26 times with five wins, four seconds, and two thirds, amassing $230,327 in earnings after cashing in the $29,000 winner’s check.

Bred in Oklahoma by Carol S. Smith, Paige is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Transaxle. Trainer Clint Crawford saddled the daughter of Tempting Dash for owner CNN Breeding. She was a $38,000 purchase at the 2021 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.       

Early in the race, Bp Moonlight looked every bit the winner. Breaking sharply under Joseph Belloc Jr., the four-year-old filly gained clear command and appeared poised to hold off all challengers. But Paige had other ideas, catching her rival in the shadow of the wire to win by a neck.

Bp Moonlight’s effort was gallant, stopping the clock in 19.390 seconds for a 95 speed index. Owned by David Pena-Marrufo and trained by Sebastian Gonzales, the Oklahoma-bred filly has lit the board in 13 of 18 starts, recording three wins, six seconds, and four thirds while banking $194,686.

She is by Moonin the Eagle and out of the Southern Cartel mare Bp Shes Southern, bred by Bill Price. She was purchased for $12,500 at the 2022 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Bp Moonlight’s resume includes multiple top-level events, including back-to-back runs in the Junos Request Stakes-G1 with a third-place finish in this year’s renewal. She also placed second in the La Fiesta Derby, Mile High Futurity, and was a finalist in the Hobbs America Invitational Derby.

Macdara, with Noe Garcia Jr. up, bobbled slightly at the start but recovered with determination to finish 1 1/4 lengths behind Bp Moonlight in third. The four-year-old filly stopped the clock in 19.582 with a 90 speed index in her first start of the season. She is owned by Marty Neugebauer and trained by Wesley Giles.

Bred in Oklahoma by William E. Smith, Macdara is by Apollitical Jess and out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Amg Six Point Three. She was purchased for $55,000 at the 2022 Heritage Place Yearling Sale.

Although still chasing her first stakes win, Macdara placed second in the Hobbs America Invitational Derby last year and was also a finalist in the All American Oaks-G1, Rainbow Oaks-G1, and La Fiesta Derby. Her overall record stands at three wins, four seconds, and two thirds from 18 starts, earning $118,425.

Following the top three were Hallmarke in fourth, Mimis Delight in fifth, Copy of Jess sixth, Kj Flying Cowgirl seventh, Maka Roon eighth, Dos Special Eye ninth, and Royal Post completing the field in tenth.

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