Kj Bad Moon Rising headlines the New Mexico State Fair Derby-RG3 at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 10, 2025—A thrilling afternoon of Quarter Horse racing awaits fans this Sunday at Albuquerque Downs, with three championship stakes set to highlight the nine-race program.

With over $850,000 in purse money up for grabs, the spotlight will shine brightest on the future stars and current standouts of New Mexico-bred racing in the $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Juvenile Stakes, the $250,000 (RG3) New Mexico State Fair Derby, and the marquee $500,000 (G2) New Mexico State Fair Futurity.

New Mexico State Fair Juvenile Stakes

The seventh race is the $100,000 Guaranteed New Mexico State Fair Juvenile Stakes, with a post time around 4:00 PM at a distance of 400 yards.

The $100,000 Juvenile Stakes, featuring the second-fastest ten qualifiers from the September 19 trial heats, is kicking off the stakes trio. The field includes precocious two-year-olds ready to flash speed and hint at bigger things to come.

Ima Gonna B Famous leads the lineup at 3-1 morning line odds. Clinton Crawford trains the gelding and will break from post four under Jacob Enriquez. Sired by Docs Best Card and out of the One Famous Eagle mare Miss Famous Eagle, Ima Gonna B Famous was bred in New Mexico by LMG Racing Inc. and purchased for $48,000 at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale by Jacque M. and Haskell E. Rich.

With a strong qualifying performance and solid connections, he’ll look to break sharply and hold off a competitive field in this fast-paced 400-yard test.

New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Derby (RG3)

The eighth race is the $250,000 Added (RG3) New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Derby with Post Time: 4:25 PM, covering the 400-yard distance.

The second feature event of the day brings together the top ten qualifiers from the September 20 trial heats for the (RG3) New Mexico State Fair Derby, a race filled with established talent and big-money earners.

Topping the field is Kj Bad Moon Rising at 2-1 on the morning line. The $1.1 million earner enters off a powerful trial victory by three-quarters of a length, showing the same brilliance that has carried him to six wins from twelve starts. Trained by Wesley T. Giles and bred by his owners John and Kathy Lee, the gelding is by Kj Mucho Macho Man out of Kj Kiss Me Goodbye (by First Moonflash). He’ll leave from post eight with Noe Garcia, Jr. aboard.

Not to be overlooked is Woody Rocks (morning line odds not listed), who aims to capture his second graded stakes title of the year. A winner of the (RG2) $90,000 New Mexico HBA Stakes, the son of Woodbridge has earned $296,055 for owners CHR Racing, who bought him for just $25,000. Breaking from post seven, he is trained by Tony E. Sedillo with Christian Ramos in the saddle.

Expect a tight finish among this elite group of three-year-olds, all gunning for RG3 glory.

New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity (RG2)

The ninth race is the $500,000 (RG2) New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity, with Post Time approximately at 4:50 PM, covering a distance of 400 yards.

Capping off the card is the richest race of the meet — the $500,000 (G2) New Mexico State Fair Futurity, which has drawn the ten fastest two-year-olds from the September 19 trials. With prestige and half a million dollars on the line, the stage is set for a breakout performance.

The undefeated Luxurie headlines the field at 2-1. Perfect in three starts, including a win in the $346,000 (RG2) Mountain Top Futurity, the Big Daddy Cartel gelding has banked $155,124 and continues to impress.

Bred by MJ Farms, he was a $300,000 sale topper at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale for owners Triple R Racing Stables, LLC and Ted Wallace Lynn Landrum. Trained by James J. Gonzales III, he’ll be piloted by regular rider Christian Cardenas from the outside in post ten.

But drawing the rail and ready to challenge is Mw Bcause Im First at 3-1, a perfect four-for-four filly who began her career at Los Alamitos and hasn’t missed a beat since. Though this marks her first qualification for a major futurity, her unblemished record and competitive fire make her a serious threat.

Sired by B Cause Im a Hero out of Blazen Alena (by Favorite Cartel), she was bred and is owned by Larry K. Marcum and Nancy C. Wells. Francisco Calderon takes the reins for the first time, with Gonzales III also training this standout.

With undefeated juveniles, top-level trainers, and record-setting auction prices, the Futurity finale promises fireworks to close out a memorable day of racing at Albuquerque Downs.

Whether you're a bettor, breeder, or fan of Quarter Horse racing, Sunday’s stakes action at Albuquerque Downs promises top-tier competition, homegrown talent, and championship-caliber performances from start to finish.

The Albuquerque Downs races can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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