King Dynasty (#10), under jockey Raul Ortega, holds off King Of The Rode (#6) by a head to capture the $100,000 New Mexico State Fair QH Juvenile Stakes on Sunday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 12, 2025–King Dynasty broke through for his first career victory in Sunday’s $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Juvenile Stakes at the Downs at Albuquerque.

King Dynasty covered the 400 yards in 19.786 seconds, posting an 85 speed index while fending off a strong field of fellow New Mexico-bred juveniles. Ridden by Raul Ortega, the son of New Mexico’s #1 leading sire Eye Am King, drifted slightly but held strong to the wire to earn the lion’s share of the purse—$58,000—and his first black-type victory. He has now earned $61,350.

The winning connections of King Dynasty accept the New Mexico State Fair Juvenile trophy at Albuquerque Downs on Sunday. © Coady Media

Bred in New Mexico by Meluking Ranch LLC, King Dynasty is out of Achildhooddream by FDD Dynasty. Trained by David Gomez-Barraza for Meluking Ranch LLC, Sunday’s effort marked his first win in three starts following a runner-up finish in his trial, where he posted the fastest qualifying time to the Juvenile.

Runner-up King Of The Rode, also a son of Eye Am King, chased the winner gamely to finish a head behind under jockey Christian Cardenas for trainer James J. Gonzales III.

King Of The Rode races for Rancho El 48 LLC, Robert Sanchez, and Kim Middleton, and was bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms. Out of Bigg Alice by Big Daddy Cartel, the $260,000 Ruidoso Yearling Sale graduate earned $20,000 for the placing, marking his first black-type performance and increasing his total bankroll to $24,000.

Completing the top three was Notjessaprettyface, a daughter of Big Daddy Cartel who dueled early before finishing a half-length back in third. Cristian Reyes rode for trainer Clint Crawford and owners Carol Barton, Cavenaugh Quarter Horses LLC, Sandy Coleman, Melody Lykins, Judy Maze, and Julie Schoenhofer.

Notjessaprettyface is out of Dahlia, by Walk Thru Fire, and was a $41,000 purchase at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale. She earned $10,000 for her third-place finish and now has $12,425 in career earnings.

Aggie Moon, Ima Gonna B Famous, Beyond Big Daddy, Dads On A Roll, Woodcutt, Highcardforapoke, and Jm Shez My Lady completed the order of finish.

Editor's note: A photo of this race will be posted with this article as soon as it is available from the track photographer.

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