Presido Pete returns to Arapahoe Park as the 2-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday's $15,000 Pen Pal Stakes.

© Coady Media

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–JUNE 11, 2026–The future of New Mexico Quarter Horse racing will be on full display Sunday, June 14, at Albuquerque Downs, as the state's most talented juveniles return to compete for championship honors in two lucrative stakes events. The ten-race program begins at 1:30 p.m. and builds toward the Grade 2 $350,000 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Futurity Finals and the $50,000 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Juvenile Stakes.

The featured event is race nine, in which the ten fastest qualifiers from the May 29 trial heats will return to battle over 350 yards in the Grade 2 $350,000 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Futurity Finals. Scheduled for approximately 4:50 p.m., the race brings together an outstanding group of New Mexico-bred juveniles who have already proven themselves among the state's elite young runners.

Bridger, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, leads the field and enters the final with a perfect three-for-three record. The talented colt delivered another impressive performance in his trial heat, drawing away to a convincing 1¾-length victory and securing the third-fastest qualifying time. Earlier this season, he stamped himself as one of the division's leaders with a victory in the Grade 2 $389,000 New Mexico Spring Futurity.

Racing for Tungsten Racing Partnership, which purchased him for $155,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, Bridger has already rewarded his connections with a flawless start to his career. Bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms, the son of Eye Am King out of the Blushing Bug mare Bridgette Bordeaux will break from post two under trainer Omar Vargas. Sergio Becerra Jr. retains the mount as they aim to add another prestigious trophy to an already impressive resume.

One of the most intriguing challengers is Shafer, the 7-2 second choice on the morning line and the fastest qualifier for the championship event. The gelding turned heads in his career debut, winning by a dominant 2¼ lengths and posting the quickest time in the trials. His performance immediately established him as one of the most exciting newcomers in the New Mexico-bred division.

Owned by Triple R Racing Stables, LLC, Shafer was among the highest-priced purchases at the Ruidoso, New Mexico, Bred Yearling Sale, bringing $350,000. The son of Big Daddy Cartel out of the Jesse James Jr. mare Astica was also bred by MJ Farms and will break from the rail under jockey Christian Cardenas for trainer James J. Gonzales III. With only one start under his belt, Shafer enters the final with tremendous upside and the fastest clocking in the field.

The action begins one race earlier in the eighth with the $50,000 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Juvenile Stakes, where the second-ten fastest qualifiers from the trials return to compete over 350 yards at approximately 4:25 p.m.

Jess A Corona Dash enters as the 5-2 morning-line favorite after a sharp trial victory. The filly surged away late to win by 1¼ lengths and secure her place among the leading contenders in the Juvenile Stakes. Prior to her breakthrough performance, she had shown promise with second- and third-place finishes in her first two career starts, earning $10,960.

Owned by Pavon Racing, LLC, which purchased her for $50,000 at the Ruidoso, New Mexico, Bred Yearling Sale, Jess A Corona Dash is another representative of New Mexico's powerful breeding program. The daughter of Big Daddy Cartel out of the Tempting Dash mare Tempt Me Honey was bred by Mike and Yealonda Logan and will leave from post two for trainer Omar Vargas. Brian C. Barraza has the riding assignment as the filly seeks her first stakes victory.

Sunday's program showcases the strength, depth, and future of New Mexico-bred Quarter Horse racing. From proven stakes winners to emerging young stars, the Mountain Top Futurity Finals and Juvenile Stakes will provide a stage for the state's best juveniles to compete for major prizes and establish themselves as contenders in the biggest races still to come. As the gates open at Albuquerque Downs, New Mexico's next generation of champions will be ready to prove they belong among the very best.

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

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