Kj Bad Moon Rising, under jockey Noe Garcia, won the $419,753 New Mexico State Fair QH Derby(RG3) on Sunday at The Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 12, 2025—Kj Bad Moon Rising surged late to capture the $419,752 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Derby (RG3) on Sunday afternoon at Albuquerque Downs, defeating a talented field of New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds going 400 yards.

Under jockey Noe Garcia, Jr., the son of a leading second-crop sire, Kj Mucho Macho Man, stopped the timer in 19.315 seconds, earning a 97 speed index into a 6-mph headwind on a fast track.

Bred and owned by John and Kathy Lee of New Mexico, Kj Bad Moon Rising is out of Kj Kiss Me Goodbye by First Moonflash and trained by Wesley Giles. The bay gelding picked up the winner’s share of $209,876, bringing his career earnings to $1,322,879.

Displaying a strong closing kick, he gained steadily in the final strides to edge his rival by a head for his latest stakes triumph. Last season, he showed that same kick when he finished a close second in the Grade 1 All American Futurity at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The winning connections of Kj Bad Moon Rising accept the New Mexico State Fair QH Derby stakes trophy on Sunday. © Coady Media

Row By Row, a gray gelding by multiple stakes sire Big Daddy Cartel out of Anakena by Woodbridge, held gamely for second after leading early. Bred by MJ Farms (NM) and sold for $60,000 at the 2023 Ruidoso Yearling Sale, he races for Tungsten Racing Partnership and Fierro EJ Racing Stables, LLC.

The Ramon Mendoza trainee, ridden by Sergio Becerra, Jr., earned $83,951 for the runner-up finish, bringing his career total to $246,759. He was also second in the Mountain Top NM Bred Derby(RG3) earlier this year.

Eye Im Flashin, a sorrel gelding by Eye Am King out of Startedwithawhisper by First Moonflash, rallied late to finish third for Tungsten Racing Partnership.

Trained by Tony Sedillo and ridden by Luis Martinez, the Paul P. Cervantes-bred runner collected $50,370 for his effort while improving position in the stretch. A four-time winner in 15 starts, Eye Im Flashin has earned $208,651.

Kj Bad Moon Rising returned $3.20 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.20 to show. Row By Row paid $7.40 to place and $4.40 to show, while Eye Im Flashin returned $7.00 to show. The $1 Exacta (8–3) paid $16.10, the $0.50 Trifecta (8–3–4) returned $82.95, and the $1 Superfecta (8–3–4–7) was worth $762.40.

Woody Rocks, Alamos, Big Allstar, Boot Scootin Mama, Two Macho For You, Myy Flashn Denali, and Bf Mucha Divine completed the field.

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