Drest For Success Was Prepared For His First Stakes Victory In The $229,210 NM Classic Derby [RG2]
HOBBS, NM–DECEMBER 15, 2024–Second-fastest qualifier from the trials, Drest For Success, showed up ready to win in the $229,210 New Mexico Classic Derby [RG2] at Zia Park on Sunday.
From a full field of ten, Christian Cardenas piloted Drest For Success to victory in 19.180 seconds, clocking a 102-speed index against a ten mph headwind. The 400-yard effort paid $19.20 to win on 8-1 odds.
Drest For Success started his career in 2023 qualifying to the Mountain Top Juvenile Stakes and returned for fifth in the finals. He broke his maiden in his third start winning his trial heat to the Zia Juvenile Stakes where he returned to the finals for second place.
With a few more starts and another trial win, he ended his freshman campaign with a fifth-place finish in the New Mexico Classic Futurity.
His sophomore season has started a little slow, with four trial runs and no victories. But he qualified for the New Mexico Classic Derby [RG2] with a second-place finish and the second-fastest time. Drest For Success didn't give up and was on his game tonight, finally getting his stakes triumph.
The $112,313 winner's share of the purse increased his earnings to $154,939 for owners Copper Spring Ranch NM, LLC and Ellison Carter. The son of Jet Black Patriot was bred in New Mexico by Copper Springs Ranch.
Drest For Success is out of multiple blacktype producer Devilwitha Bluedress by Corona Cartel. His dam is a full sister to world champion Blue Girl Too, and out of Broodmare of the Year Run The Dash.
It came down to a photo finish at the wire for place and show. Ridden by Jose Enriquez, Miss Baby Cartel won the nod for second over Bigg Picture and jockey Adrian Ramos, who placed third.
Miss Baby Cartel just broke her maiden earlier this season from 15 starts. The daughter of Big Daddy Cartel has earned $134,857 for owners Felix Rodriguez and Sergio Holguin.
Trained by Eric Valenuela, Miss Baby Cartel has placed second in the New Mexico Classic Futurity [G2], Sunburst Stakes [G3], third in the New Mexico Breeders' Stakes [G3], and was a finalist in the Mountain Top Derby.
Elsa Sotelo bred Miss Baby Cartel in New Mexico out of the First Moonflash mare, Double Moon Baby.
Post-time favorite Bigg Picture has a record of 1-4-5 from 13 starts and $178,726 in the bank. The son of Big Daddy Cartel placed second in the NMSF Derby, Ruidoso Maiden Stakes, and was a finalist in the All American Derby [G1] and NMSF Juvenile Stakes.
Trainer Wes Giles saddled Bigg Picture for owner Uno Menos. MJ Farms bred the $120 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in New Mexico out of the Jesse James Jr mare Astica.
Copy Of Jess, Henoshesjumpn, Queenofthanile, Big Dudley Cartel, Sweetest Emotion, Marisma, and Bad King complete the order of finish.
**********************
Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.