Luxurie heads to the track ahead of the second trial for the $175,000 Zia Quarter Horse Derby on July 4 at Albuquerque Downs.

© Coady Media

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–JULY 3, 2026–The Saturday, July 4 card at Albuquerque Downs features a 10-race program starting at 1:30 p.m., highlighted by five trial heats for the $175,000 Zia Quarter Horse Derby. A total of 45 New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds will compete at 400 yards, with only the 10 fastest times advancing to the July 18 finals.

The second trial features Mountain Top Derby winner Luxurie as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. The gelding has won six of eight career starts and earned $319,521 for owners Triple R Racing Stables LLC, Wallace Lynn Landrum, Ted Rushing, and Rancho El 48 LLC, which purchased him for $300,000 at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale.

The son of Big Daddy Cartel, out of the Jesse James Jr. mare Astica, was bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms. Trained by Rodolfo G. Valles, Luxurie will break from post three with Joseph Belloc Jr. aboard.

The third trial features last year's All American Futurity winner, King of the Tide, who opens as the 7-5 morning-line favorite. The millionaire gelding has earned more than $1.59 million and makes his 2026 debut after a sharp June 19 gate workout of 330 yards in :16.86. He was purchased for $130,000 at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale by owners E. Gene Bradley, Tod Bradley, and Ware Brown.

The son of Eye Am King is out of the Ocean Runaway mare Ms. Riptide and was bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms. Trained by Trey Wood, he will start from post three with Ricky Ramirez in the saddle.

The fourth trial features a competitive matchup between stakes winners Pour Me A Drinkk and Eddy Cartel.

Pour Me A Drinkk is the 9-5 morning-line favorite after winning five of 10 career starts, highlighted by his victory in last year's New Mexico Classic Futurity at Zia Park. He most recently competed in the Grade 3 Mountain Top Derby trials and returns looking to secure a place in another major final for owners Bob McClure and Sandra K. Barrett.

The son of Prospect to the Top is out of the First Moonflash mare First Cowgirl Flash and was bred in New Mexico by Fred Danley. Gerald E. Marr trains the gelding, who will break from post six with James A. Flores aboard.

Eddy Cartel, a talented gelding, starts from the outside post at 3-1 morning-line odds after finishing third in his Mountain Top Derby trial. He captured last year's Grade 2 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity and has won four of five career starts, earning $640,559.

Bred in New Mexico by Eduardo P. Mendoza, Eddy Cartel is the son of Big Daddy Cartel and out of the Bodacious Dash mare Em Bodacious. Owned by Paul E. Blanchard and trained by Rodolfo Valles, Eddy Cartel will break from post nine with Joseph Belloc Jr. aboard.

With several accomplished stakes winners, a reigning All American Futurity champion, and one of New Mexico's leading Derby winners all in action, Saturday's Zia Quarter Horse Derby Trials promise a competitive afternoon as 45 New Mexico-bred sophomores compete for the 10 fastest qualifying times and a spot in the $175,000 Zia Quarter Horse Derby Finals on July 18.

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

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