Big Posies Cartel, piloted by Christian Ramos, wins the $100,000 NMHBA Stakes at Sunland Park on Saturday

© Coady Photography

SUNLAND PARK, NM–APRIL 6, 2024–From a field dominated by well priced horses, it came down to a photo finish at the wire in the $100,000 NMHBA Quarter Horse Stakes at Sunland Park. Big Posies Cartel, piloted by Christian Ramos, won by a neck after leading the entire 400-yard race.

Second out of the gates, Big Posies Cartel took the lead at first call and kept it to the wire. The semi-longshot victory paid $16.20 to win on 7/1 odds. Big Posies Cartel clocked a 102 speed index in :19.257 seconds with a 28 mph tail wind.

Big Posies Cartel broke his maiden last year in the New Mexico State Fair Futurity trials which he did qualify to run back in the finals. The son of Big Daddy Cartel hadn't won a race since, until today. The three-year-old gelding did place second in the Shue Fly Stakes [G2] this year in February and was a finalist in the New Mexico Classic Futurity [G2] last November at Zia Park.

Trained by Ricardo Armendariz Jr, Big Posies Cartel has lit the board eight of 10 starts with two career wins. The $60,000 purse from the NMHBA Stakes increases his earnings to $127,053.

The winning connections of Big Posies Cartel accept the $100,000 NMHBA Stakes trophy at Sunland Park on Saturday. © Coady Photography

Bred by David Vinson Bloomer in New Mexico, Big Posies Cartel is out of stakes winner and new track record setter Posies Woodette, daughter of Woodbridge. The full brother to multiple graded stakes winner Mamacita Cartel sold for $62,000 in the 2022 Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale.

Paint Me Queen, piloted by James Flores, rallied from behind to almost win but lost by a neck. The second place finish paid $25.80 to place on 10/1 odds. The multiple winner earned $20,000 for the effort, increasing her bankroll to $95,966.

Breeders Mark and Peggy Brown sold Paint Me Queen for $10,000 to her current owner Dalia Aranda in the 2022 Ruidoso New Mexico Bred sale. Jaime Aldavez Sr trains the daughter of Eye Am King. She is out of Frosty Dreams by Legendary Dreamer.

Crispyn, ridden by Esgar Ramirez, placed third by a nose to Paint Me Queen. Trained by Manuel Rodriguez, the son of A Royal Jess has lit the board eight of nine starts with four career wins and $283,972 in earnings.

The Grade 2 winner is bred and owned by MRB Racing LLC in New Mexico. Crispyn is out of the Corona Cartel mare First Place Cartel.

Completing the field is Jm Special Ryon, Lil Newt, Da Edge Of Gray, Over Da Edge, Jess Have One More, Call Me Jessiecartel and Big Daddy Farr.