Daddys China Holds Off Shafer To Win $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Juvenile

Daddys China, a daughter of Big Daddy Cartel, battled through a contested start before rallying late to defeat favored Shafer by a neck in Sunday's $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Juvenile Stakes (R) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Ridden by Sergio Becerra Jr. for trainer Omar Vargas, Daddys China covered the 400 yards in 19.615 seconds, earning an 88 speed index over a fast racing surface while facing a 20-mph headwind.

The gray filly, owned by Tungsten Racing Partnership and Fierro EJ Racing Stables, LLC, overcame contact at the break and prevailed after a determined stretch battle with Shafer, who finished 1¼ lengths ahead of third-place finisher Imma Dandy.

Daddys China earned $59,000 for the victory, improving her career record to two wins, two seconds, and one third from seven starts, with earnings of $115,700.

Bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms, Daddys China is out of the Rushago mare Ima China Rush. She was purchased for $42,000 at the 2025 Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale.

The victory marked another significant stakes performance for Daddys China, who previously finished third in the Zia Futurity (RG1) and qualified for the Mountain Top New Mexico-Bred Futurity (RG2).

Shafer, the 9-5 favorite, broke sharply and dueled for the lead throughout before being caught in the final strides. The son of Big Daddy Cartel earned $20,000 for his runner-up finish, increasing his career earnings to $54,766.

Christian Cardenas rode the two-year-old gelding for trainer Rodolfo G. Valles. Shafer races for Triple R Racing Stables, LLC, Tye Baca, Tungsten Racing Partnership, and Ted Rushing.

Also bred by MJ Farms, Shafer is out of the Jesse James Jr mare Astica. He commanded $350,000 at the 2025 Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale.

Shafer entered Sunday's race with three victories from five starts, including an All American Futurity trial win, and was a finalist in the Mountain Top New Mexico-Bred Futurity (RG2). His updated record stands at three wins and one second from six starts.

Imma Dandy, a son of Prospect To The Top, finished third, another neck ahead of Acrylic, after participating in the early battle before giving way late.

Ridden by Oscar Andrade Jr. for trainer David M. Gomez-Barraza, the two-year-old gelding collected $10,000, increasing his career earnings to $113,543.

Imma Dandy races for Scott Branson and Jimmy Vasquez and was bred in New Mexico by Jimmy and Angela Vasquez. He is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Saying.

Offered at the 2025 Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale, Imma Dandy was a $17,000 RNA.

The consistent gelding entered the race following a runner-up finish in the Mountain Top New Mexico-Bred Futurity (RG2) and a finalist appearance in the Zia Futurity (RG1). His updated career record stands at three wins, one second, and three thirds from eight starts.

Completing the field, Acrylic finished fourth, followed by Big Morning Breeze in fifth, Je American Dream in sixth, Sand and Sea in seventh, and Dahlias Destiny in eighth.

Big Avery, Bridger, Super Patriot, and Suspicious Rizzler were scratched.

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