Paradise Pete Captures Grade 1 $250,000 All American Gold Cup

Paradise Pete turned in the biggest performance of his career Monday afternoon, pulling clear late to defeat a talented field of older horses in the $250,000 All American Gold Cup (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

With Christian Cardenas aboard, Paradise Pete was away second before taking command and inching clear to defeat Toastin Heros by three-quarters of a length. The 4-year-old gelding completed the 440 yards in :20.669, earning a 108 speed index over a fast racing surface with a 10-mph tailwind.

The victory was worth $105,000 and improved Paradise Pete's career record to seven wins, three seconds and three thirds from 21 starts with earnings of $266,993.

David Gomez-Barraza trains Paradise Pete for owner and breeder Stephen M. Harris. The Maryland-bred chestnut gelding is by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 from Fire Specialist, by Walk Thru Fire.

Paradise Pete entered Monday's Grade 1 test off a victory in the Mr Jet Moore Stakes (G2) at Albuquerque. He also won the AQRA Turf Paradise Open Derby and was runner-up in the John Andreini Memorial Stakes (G3) and West Texas Maturity (G3).

Toastin Heros chased the winner throughout and held second by a half-length over KJ Desparado. Ridden by Jacob Enriquez for trainer Clinton Crawford, the 4-year-old gelding earned $45,000 for the runner-up effort, increasing his career earnings to $449,747 from 19 starts. His record now stands at eight wins, five seconds and no thirds.

Owner-breeder Gene Cox bred Toastin Heros, a son of Valiant Hero from the Coronas Leaving You mare Toastin With Coronas.

Toastin Heros' résumé includes victories in the Dee Raper Sooner State Stakes (G1), Championship at Sunland Park (G1) and La Fiesta Derby. He has also been a finalist in the Heritage Place Derby (G2), Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby (RG1), West Texas Derby (G3) and Mystery Futurity.

All-time leading Quarter Horse money earner KJ Desparado finished another half-length back in third after making a steady bid under jockey Noe Garcia Jr. The 7-year-old earned $25,000, increasing his record to 18 wins, 11 seconds and one third from 36 starts with earnings of $3,473,777.

Wesley Giles trains KJ Desparado for John Lee, Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares. Bred by L&L Land & Cattle, the gelding is by leading sire Apollitical Jess from the Tres Seis mare Tres Veses.

A two-time AQHA Racing Champion, KJ Desparado's remarkable career includes victories in the All American Futurity (G1), Texas Classic Futurity (G1), Ruidoso Derby (G1) and Texas Classic Derby (G1), among his numerous major stakes accomplishments.

KJ Bad Moon Rising was placed fourth, followed by Harken, Church Spire, Luziana Man, and Fdd Dreams. Eagle On A June Bug crossed the wire fourth but was disqualified and placed ninth following a stewards' inquiry, a rider's objection, and two trainer objections for causing interference at the start. Rc Corona King completed the field. Eagles Up and Naughty Politics were scratched as also-eligibles.

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