West Tx Rain, under jockey Christian Cardenas, won the $75,000 Zia 870 Championship at The Downs at Albuquerque on Sunday.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—JULY 19, 2026—West Tx Rain outdueled favored Boot Scoots through the final stages of the 870-yard marathon to score a determined half-length victory in Sunday’s $75,000 Zia 870 Championship Stakes at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Stopping the clock in 44.769 while earning a 97 speed index, the 5-year-old gray gelding rewarded his backers with a $26.00 win payoff after proving best in a prolonged stretch battle.

Owned by Kathy L. Grine, Gene C. Garcia, and Reyes J. Garcia, West Tx Rain earned $44,250 for the victory, boosting his career bankroll to $124,712. Bred in New Mexico by Gene Garcia, the son of Stellar Rain-TB out of Cartier N Capris, by Attila’s Storm-TB, is trained by Gene Garcia and was ridden to victory by Christian Cardenas.

The winning connections of West Tx Rain accept the Zia 870 Championship stakes trophy. © Coady Media

After settling just behind the early leaders, West Tx Rain ranged up to duel with Boot Scoots entering the stretch before edging clear late.

Heavy 6-5 favorite Boot Scoots finished second, just one-half length behind the winner, while holding 2 1/4 lengths over the third-place finisher. The 4-year-old sorrel gelding by Jess A Chicks out of Shez Jessa Scooter, by Heza Motor Scooter, races for CHR Racing. Bred in New Mexico by Jaime Cervantes, he is trained by Tony Sedillo and was ridden by Oscar Andrade Jr. His runner-up effort was worth $15,000, increasing his lifetime earnings to $191,331.

Another 2 1/4 lengths back, Princess Kitten-TB rallied from the back of the pack to secure third, finishing one-half length ahead of fourth-place Blooming Resource. The 6-year-old chestnut mare, by Next Bandit-TB out of Encantada-TB, by Skimming-TB, is owned by Gloria Martinez, was bred in New Mexico by Salvador Carrillo Castro, trained by Danny Martinez, and ridden by Aldo Arboleda. She earned $7,500, pushing her Quarter Horse earnings to $122,680.

Completing the order of finish were Blooming Resource in fourth, Devons Cartel fifth, El Vital sixth, Beaux Dashes seventh, and Jess A Outlaw eighth

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.