Traxion, the sixth-fastest qualifier, proved best when it counted, surging late to win the $190,359 West Texas Derby (G3) at Sunland Park on Saturday.

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

SUNLAND PARK, NM–FEBRUARY 28, 2026– Traxion, the sixth-fastest qualifier, proved best when it counted, surging late to win the $190,359 West Texas Derby (G3) at Sunland Park on Saturday.

Ridden by Jesse Levario, the sorrel gelding vied early and finished strongly through the final yards to prevail by one length in :19.010 for 400 yards over a fast track, earning a 103 speed index.

The winning connections of Traxion accept the $190,359 West Texas Derby (G3) trophy at Sunland Park on Saturday. © Coady Media

The victory marked his fourth win from six career starts and improved his record to 6-4-0-0. The $89,469 winner’s share boosted his bankroll to $332,641.

Traxion captured last year’s La Fiesta Futurity (G3) and entered the Derby off a fifth-place effort in the Southwest Juvenile Invitational Stakes (G2) prior to the trials.

Bred by Bobby D. Cox, Traxion is by world champion sire Freighttrain B, a sire of more than 500 winners with over $28.5 million in progeny earnings. His leading earner is world champion Whistle Stop Cafe ($2,335,831). Traxion is out of the Jet Black Patriot mare Telarosa.

A $22,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate, Traxion races for owner Abraham Escobedo and is trained by Jorge Morales-Flores.

Fastest qualifier London Bridge saw his three-race win streak snapped but finished a solid second. Owned by Lionel Zapata, trained by Andres Gonzalez and ridden by Luis Valenzuela, the gelding stopped the clock in :19.139 while earning a 99 speed index.

A $47,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate, London Bridge is by stakes winner Mental Error, a son of leading sire Favorite Cartel, and is out of the Foose mare No Arizona, a winning mare who was runner-up in the Governor’s Cup Futurity (G2). Bred by Steve D. Burns, DVM, he now owns a record of 5-3-2-0 with earnings of $95,297.

Earlier this meet, London Bridge won his February 7 trial to the West Texas Derby (G3). He also captured his trial to the AQRA Turf Paradise Futurity and went on to win that final.

Third-place finisher Ring A Ling Ding closed willingly to earn the show spot while covering the distance in :19.208, while posting a 97 speed index.

Owned by Cherie and Cade Wallin, trained by Tony Sedillo and ridden by Christian Ramos, the gelding now holds a record of 9-4-0-3 with earnings of $77,028.

By Pa Cha Ching, a multiple stakes-winning son of leading sire Tempting Dash from his first crop to race, Ring A Ling Ding is the top earner for his sire. He is out of the Kiss My Hocks mare Kiss On The Horizon and was bred by R. Armor & S. F./Helen Henderson.

Last season, Ring A Ling Ding finished third in the Four Corners Futurity and was a finalist in the West Texas Futurity (G2).

Expenssive Boots, KJ Falshing Candy, Beauxnanza, Texas Pharaoh, Shot Of Takillya, and Achylles completed the order of finish. Regarding Jess was scratched.

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