Big Ted Tops New Mexico State Fair Futurity Qualifiers, Bridger Fastest For Juvenile

Big Ted posted the fastest qualifying time for the estimated $1.2 million New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity (RG2) on Thursday afternoon at The Downs at Albuquerque, while Bridger led the qualifiers for the estimated $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Juvenile.

A total of 12 trials were contested over 400 yards, with the 10 fastest qualifiers advancing to the Futurity and the next 10 fastest earning berths in the Juvenile. Both finals are scheduled for October 11 at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Big Ted dominated the second trial under Sergio Becerra Jr., drawing clear by 3 1/4 lengths to stop the clock in :19.804 seconds over a muddy, sealed track. The gelding earned an 84 speed index while posting the fastest time of the afternoon.

Owned by Tungsten Racing Partnership and trained by Omar Vargas, Big Ted was bred by Jaime Cervantes. The 2-year-old gelding is by Tf Im That Guy, out of the Heza Motor Scooter mare Shez Jessa Scooter.

Thursday's victory marked his third consecutive win and improved his record to five wins, one second and one third from seven career starts, with earnings of $129,789. He entered the trials off a victory in the Zia Juvenile Stakes and previously finished second in both the New Mexico Breeders Futurity (RG2) and New Mexican Spring Futurity (RG2).

Baby Daddy Cartel, also owned by Tungsten Racing Partnership and trained by Omar Vargas, recorded the second-fastest qualifying time of :19.955 seconds in the third trial. Ridden by Noe Garcia Jr., the gelding drew clear by a length while earning an 80 speed index.

Bred by Paul Cervantes, Baby Daddy Cartel is by Big Daddy Cartel, out of the First Moonflash mare Startedwithawhisper.

The victory improved his record to five wins, one second and one third from seven starts, with earnings of $261,214. He entered Thursday's trials off a runner-up finish in the Zia Futurity (G1). Earlier this season, he captured the Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Futurity (RG2) and New Mexican Spring Fling Stakes.

La Feliz Montana Ranch LLC's Bogarts Brown Sugar recorded the third-fastest qualifying time under Luis Martinez for trainer Manuel Rodolfo.

A $15,000 repurchase at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale, the gelding is by Bogart, out of the First Moonflash mare Javys Brown Sugar.

Bogarts Brown Sugar now has a record of three wins and one second from six career starts, with earnings of $110,557. Earlier this season, he finished second in the New Mexican Spring Futurity (RG2).

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE.

Bridger Leads New Mexico State Fair Juvenile Qualifiers

Bridger topped the qualifiers for the estimated $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Juvenile under jockey Jose Enrique Ortiz for owners Tungsten Racing Partnership and Rancho El 48 LLC and trainer Omar Vargas.

Bred by MJ Farms, the 2-year-old gelding is by Eye Am King, out of the Blushing Bug mare Bridgette Bordeaux. He was a $155,000 purchase at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Bridger now has a record of three wins and one second from five career starts, with earnings of $222,164. Earlier this season, he captured the New Mexican Spring Futurity (RG2).

The New Mexico State Fair Juvenile final is also scheduled for October 11 at The Downs at Albuquerque.

VIEW FULL LIST OF QUALIFIERS HERE.