Harken Captures $70,000 First Moonflash Maturity

Harken added another stakes victory to his record Saturday evening with a sharp performance in the $70,000 First Moonflash Maturity at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Harken moved to the lead and drew clear to win the 440-yard event by a length in :21.228, earning a 94 speed index over a fast track. Kj Bad Moon Rising finished second, with Merrmaid another two lengths back in third.

Owned by Alepony LLC and trained by Salvador Soto, Harken was bred by MJ Farms and sold for $145,000 at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Yearling Sale.

The 4-year-old gelding is by Eye Am King, out of stakes winner Donelli, by Big Daddy Cartel.

His second dam is a half-sister to champion Astica, winner of the New Mexico Fillies and Mares Championship (RG1), while his third dam is champion Alice K White, winner of the Golden State Derby (G1).

Harken entered Saturday's race off a fifth-place finish in the All American Gold Cup Stakes (G1). The $42,000 winner's share improved his record to 10 wins and two seconds from 18 starts and boosted his earnings to $471,203. A

lready an established stakes winner, Harken has also won the West Texas Derby (G3) and Mountain Top Futurity (G2).

Kj Bad Moon Rising finished second under Noe Garcia Jr. for owners and breeders John and Kathy Lee and trainer Wesley Giles. The gelding is by Kj Mucho Macho Man, out of the First Moonflash mare Kj Kiss Me Goodbye.

Kj Bad Moon Rising now has nine wins, five seconds and one third from 20 starts, with earnings of $1,458,856. Earlier this season, he won the Zia Stakes (G2) and Jess Burner Memorial Stakes (G2) in consecutive starts. His career stakes victories also include the New Mexico State Fair Derby (G2) and New Mexico State Fair Futurity (G2).

Merrmaid finished third under Gabriel Medrano for owner Tomas Avitia and trainer Emily Cardenas. Bred by MJ Farms, the $60,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate is by Big Daddy Cartel, out of stakes winner Ms Riptide, by Ocean Runaway.

Merrmaid is a half-sister to Zia Futurity (RG1) winner Mister Riptide ($748,298) and a full sister to Desert Classic Futurity winner Nineteen Crimes ($70,130). She now has three wins, seven seconds and two thirds from 25 starts, with earnings of $146,266. Earlier this season, she finished third in the Vista Distaff Stakes.

Woody Rocks, Ez On My Mind and Streakin Eye Effort completed the order of finish. Myy Flashn Denali was scratched.

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