Undefeated this year, Heritage Place Derby(G2) winner House Of Lords is set as the 5-1 morning-line favorite for Monday's $702,907 All American Quarter Horse Derby (G1) at the Downs in Albuquerque.

© Ernesto Salinas, Jr. / StallioneSearch

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–AUGUST 27, 2025—A stellar field of 10 sophomores will face off in the $702,907 All American Quarter Horse Derby (G1) at The Downs in Albuquerque on Monday, September 1, going the classic 440 yards.

The race is set as the ninth on the card with an approximate post time of 5:45 p.m. (MDT) on a program that kicks off at 1:00 p.m.

Leading the lineup is #5 House Of Lords (5-2), the morning-line favorite, who has developed into one of the premier three-year-olds in the nation.

Owned by Valeriano Racing Stables LLC, the gelded son of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of This Candys Okay by Okey Dokey Dale was bred in Oklahoma by Buck Way Ranch LLC and purchased for $65,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Trained by Victor H. Rodriguez-Flores and ridden by Francisco Calderon, House Of Lords enters off a dominant 1¼-length victory in his Derby trial on August 6, stopping the clock in 20.789 while earning a 107 speed index. He’s unbeaten in four starts this year, including a commanding score in the Heritage Place Derby (G2), and boasts seven wins in 11 lifetime starts with earnings of $244,316.

Second choice #9 Holy Pete (7-2), owned by Zane Kiehne and trained by John A. Stinebaugh, has proven himself a gritty competitor. The Favorite Cartel gelding, bred in Texas by Bobby Simmons, has been first or second in all four starts this year, including an impressive three-length win in his August 6 trial, where he posted a 104 speed index.

Purchased for $100,000 at the Ruidoso Select Sale, Ali Rivera will pilot Holy Pete as he seeks his seventh career win from 11 starts, and to add to his $102,360 bankroll.

Number two Kj Born To Be Wild (4-1), trained by Wesley T. Giles and ridden by Noe Garcia, Jr., also commands respect after nosing out Ruidoso QH Derby(G1)winner Fdd Dreams in their August 6 trial heat.

The Arizona-bred gelding by Apollitical Jess out of Kj Mustang Sally by Valiant Hero is campaigned by breeders John & Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares. Kj Born To Be Wild has won four of his 10 lifetime starts, including qualifying for the Ruidoso QH Derby(G1) and the Grade 1 Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star, and earned $107,377.

A  major contender is #8 Fdd Dreams (6-1), a powerful gelding from the Xavier E. Rodriguez barn, owned and bred by La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC. The son of FDD Dynasty out of Treasured Dreams by Apollitical Jess has compiled eight wins, five consecutive in 13 starts, amassing an eye-catching $1,301,394 in career earnings.

After drawing off to win his June 29 uncontested Rainbow Derby(G1) trial by 3¼ lengths with a 98 speed index, Fdd Dreams returned in the August 6 trials only to lose by a nose to Kj Born To Be Wild. Jockey Luis Martinez retains the mount as he seeks to secure the biggest win of his career.

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

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