StallioneSearch.com

HOBBS, NM–DECEMBER 15, 2024–Longshot Kj Wildthang defeats heavy favorite and stablemate Kj Desparado with a surprise upset in the $125,000 Zia Park Quarter Horse Invitational [G1] on Sunday.

With jockey Christian Ramos in the irons, Kj Wildthang charged out for the lead from first call over the the nation's #1 leading money earner, Kj Desparado, and held on for the win by a 1/2-length. The four-year-old gelding clocked a 107-speed index against a ten mph headwind in 21.232 seconds. The 440-yard upset paid $33.00 to win on 15-1 odds.

Unlike his stablemate, this is Kj Wildthang's first career stakes victory, and the $74,250 winner's share of the purse boosted his lifetime earnings to $218,116. The son of world champion sire Apollitical Jess has lit the board 14 of 26 starts with a record 6-3-5.

Kj Wildthang's top stakes performances include a third in the Casino at the Downs Stakes, Ruidoso Invitational Stakes, fourth in the All American Invitational Stakes, fifth in the Lovington Stakes [G2] Texas Classic Juvenile Stakes, and a finalist in the Texas Classic Derby [G1].

Lee & Sherwood Racing LLC bred Kj Wildthang in Arizona out of the Tres Seis stakes-winning mare Wild Six. Kj Wildthang is a full brother to leading sire Kj Mucho Macho Man and a half-brother to stakes winner Jess Wild For You.

3-time champion and All American Futurity [G1] winner Kj Desparado, piloted by Adrian Ramos, chased his stablemate to the wire. While improving, he still fell short and settled for second. The five-year-old son of Apollitical Jess has a record of 17-6-0 from 27 starts and $3,270,109 in the bank.

L & I Land & Cattle bred the seven-time Grade 1 winner in Arizona. Kj Desparado is out of champion producer Tres Veses by Tres Seis.

Wes Giles saddled the stablemates Kj Wildthang and Kj Desparado for owners John and Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares.

Easy Perry Cartel, ridden by Luis Flores-Garcia, placed third 1/2 a length behind Kj Desparado. Trainer Ramon Mendoza saddled the son of Jesstified for owner Cream Of The Crop Inc.

The three-time stakes winner has lit the board 22 of 32 starts with nine wins and $259,368 in earnings. Everardo Muzquiz Elguezabal bred the six-year-old horse in Mexico out of Tessas Decked Out by Corona Cartel.

Rayenare, The Swamp, Vytaliti and Hes A Jet One complete the order of finish. Pevs Charley was scratched.

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