Mr High Five Delivers $243,483 La Fiesta Derby Victory At Albuquerque

Second-fastest qualifier Mr High Five delivered a sharp performance Sunday afternoon at The Downs at Albuquerque, capturing the $243,483 La Fiesta Derby and adding another stakes victory to his growing record.

Ridden by Sergio Becerra Jr., the three-year-old gelding broke fourth from post position two before quickly advancing to take a narrow lead. He maintained his advantage throughout the 400-yard contest, holding off The Diesel Train by half a length in a final time of :19.187 over a fast track. The 6-5 favorite earned a 99 speed index while racing into a three-mph headwind.

Owned by Tungsten Racing Partnership and Heysol Howlet, Mr High Five is trained by Marco Flores. Bred in Oklahoma by Sam Green, the $155,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate is a son of world champion and champion sire Apollitical Jess, whose offspring have earned more than $89.5 million, including $7.5 million in 2026.

Mr High Five is out of the stakes-winning Fdd Dynasty mare Ms Southern Dynasty, who earned $90,028 during her racing career. He is a half-brother to Uptown Dynasty ($760,023), winner of the Ruidoso Futurity (G1), and Uptowne Babe ($581,404), winner of the Heritage Place Futurity (G1).

Sunday's victory marked the sixth career win for Mr High Five, improving his record to 13-6-0-2. The $121,742 winner's share increased his lifetime earnings to $381,654. Earlier this season, he captured the Rainbow Invitational Stakes.

The Diesel Train finished second under jockey Jose Enriquez for owner and trainer Luis Iturralde. The gelding broke sharply from post three and pressed the winner throughout the race before drifting outward late. He held second by one length, stopping the clock in :19.244 and earning a 98 speed index.

Bred by Steve Holt, The Diesel Train is a son of Freighttrain B out of the Apollitical Jess mare Apollotah. The gelding has compiled a record of 17-4-4-1 with $212,871 in earnings. Although still seeking his first stakes victory, he previously qualified for the prestigious All American Futurity (G1).

Cowboy Corona 123 completed the trifecta under Gabriel Medrano, finishing another length behind The Diesel Train. The gelding broke first from post four but settled into third during the early stages. He maintained his position through the finish, crossing the wire in :19.409 to earn a 94 speed index.

Trained by Wesley Giles, Cowboy Corona 123 races for Melvin and Susan Neugebauer and was bred by Melvin Neugebauer. He is sired by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 and is out of the Corona Cartel mare Little Reba Corona.

The gelding now owns a record of 11-3-2-2 with $88,824 in lifetime earnings. Still searching for his first stakes victory, Cowboy Corona 123 previously competed as a finalist in the Ruidoso Derby (G1).

Racy 123 finished fourth, followed by Cowboy 1, Terry Mesu, Cd Favorite Fire, Shezdanstyforsure, and Rovos Rail. Cowboy Reason Mv and also-eligible Apolitical Valor were scratched.

The La Fiesta Derby was contested as the eighth race on Sunday's program at The Downs at Albuquerque, with nine three-year-olds competing over 400 yards.

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