Lethal Demon Finally Breaks Through in $40,000 Casino at the Downs Quarter Horse Stakes

After finishing second in 2024 and third in 2025, Lethal Demon finally found his way to the winner's circle in Saturday night's $40,000 Casino at the Downs Quarter Horse Stakes at The Downs at Albuquerque, capturing his first career stakes victory with a determined neck decision over favored Ultimate Battle.

The 6-year-old brown gelding, ridden by Luis Martinez for trainer Mark Brown, covered the 440 yards in 21.348 seconds, earning a 91 speed index over a fast racing surface while facing a 4 mph headwind.

Breaking sharply from post five, Lethal Demon established an early advantage and maintained his lead throughout, finishing strongly to hold off Ultimate Battle. The victory was worth $19,600 and increased his career earnings to $105,684.

Owned by A. Mark Brown and Peggy A. Brown, who also bred the New Mexico-bred gelding, Lethal Demon is a son of multiple stakes sire A Revenant out of Easily Lethal, by Corona Cartel.

Lethal Demon was offered at the 2021 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, where he was a $68,000 RNA.

Saturday's victory improved his career record to four wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 21 starts. In addition to his three consecutive appearances in the Casino at the Downs Quarter Horse Stakes, he was previously a finalist in the Ruidoso Downs Derby Challenge and La Fiesta Derby.

Ultimate Battle, the 9-5 favorite, finished a neck behind the winner after a determined effort under jockey Ryder Olmstead. The 4-year-old colt earned $8,400 for Buckway Ranch LLC and trainer Jason L. Olmstead.

Bred in California by Steve D. Burns, DVM, Ultimate Battle is a son of leading sire Favorite Cartel out of Just Walk By, by Walk Thru Fire. He was a $137,000 purchase at the 2023 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

The runner-up effort increased Ultimate Battle's career earnings to $335,316, with a record of three wins, eight seconds, and one third from 17 starts. His previous accomplishments include runner-up finishes in the Ed Burke Million Futurity(G1) and PCQHRA Breeders Futurity(G2). He was also a finalist in the Golden State Million Futurity(G1), Debbie Schauf Remington Park Invitational Championship Stakes(G1), Remington Park Championship Challenge(G2), and Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge Stakes(G2).

Dnc Dynasty finished another half-length back in third, earning $4,200 for owner and breeder W3 Farms LLC. Jesus Rios Ayala rode the 4-year-old gelding for trainer Savana Canales.

A son of Duponte out of Dinastia Rose, by FDD Dynasty, Dnc Dynasty improved his career record to seven wins, three seconds, and six thirds from 21 starts, with earnings of $68,398.

The multiple stakes winner previously captured the Bitterroot Derby and Invitational Handicap and finished third in the Utah Bred Derby. He was also a finalist in the Energy Downs Derby, Sweetwater Downs Derby, 307HR Open Maturity, and Sweetwater Downs Maturity.

Uncle Eds Idea and Myy Flashn Denali finished in a dead heat for fourth, followed by Klass Action in sixth. Nothin Like You fell during the race and was transported from the track by van.

Lethal Demon returned $14.00 to win as the 6-1 fourth choice in the seven-horse field.

For Lethal Demon and his connections, Saturday's victory was particularly rewarding after two previous attempts in the same stakes.

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