Preview Racing

Home > Preview Racing>Wired 440 Returns in West Texas Derby Trials

Wired 440 Returns in West Texas Derby Trials
Wired 440 broke his maiden in his career debut, a trial of the $1 million Ruidoso Futurity(G1) at Ruidoso Downs.

© Bailey Ivey / Ruidoso Downs
Wired 440 Returns in West Texas Derby Trials

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

SUNLAND PARK, NM–FEBRUARY 6, 2024–Wired 440, a multiple graded stakes winning son of champion Tempting Dash racing for Alberto Villanueva Jr., will make his 3-year-old season debut in Saturday's 400-yard West Texas Derby (G3) trials at Sunland Park.

Wired 440 will be shortening in distance off of his fourth-place finish, 1 3/4 lengths behind winner Flyin Rabbit 123, in the December 17, 440-yard Southwest Juvenile Championship Stakes (G2) at Zia Park.

A $135,000 purchase at the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, the sorrel gelding has banked $332,928 from eight races, and his record includes second-place finishes in the 350-yard, $1-million Ruidoso Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs, and the 400-yard, $296,000 La Fiesta Futurity (G3) at Albuquerque Downs.

Wired 440 drew post 4 and will be ridden by Sergio Becerra Jr. for trainer Eric Valenzuela in the fifth of seven trials.

CHR Racing's Irish Seis will be making his first start since October 22, when he recorded a third-place finish in the La Fiesta Futurity. A gelded son of champion Tres Seis trained by Jesus Rondan Jr., Irish Seis has won three of eight starts and has earned $171,298, and his two wins in as many outs at Sunland Park include last year's 300-yard West Texas Juvenile Stakes.

Irish Seis drew post 7 and will be ridden by Luis Martinez in the first heat.

A total of 62 sophomores are entered in Saturday's trials. The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the March 2 West Texas Derby final.

All Sunland Park races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.