New Mexico-Bred Stars Chase Championship Glory In $850,000 Stakes Showcase at Albuquerque Downs

An exciting afternoon of championship racing awaits at Albuquerque Downs on Sunday, with New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses taking center stage in a nine-race program featuring three major stakes events totaling $850,000.

The afternoon will be highlighted by the Grade 1 $1.2 million-est. New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity, the $425,000-est. New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Derby, and the $100,000-est. New Mexico State Fair Q.H. Juvenile Stakes.

The ninth and final race will bring together ten talented 2-year-olds competing for Grade 1 honors in the $1.2 million-est. New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity. The finalists earned their spots in the September 24 trial heats and will return to battle over 400 yards at approximately 5:10 p.m.

Big Ted enters the championship finale as the 5-2 morning-line favorite, carrying a three-race winning streak and the fastest qualifying time into the highly anticipated showdown. The gelding delivered a commanding gate-to-wire performance in his trial, drawing clear by 3 1/4 lengths and establishing himself as the one to beat.

Big Ted has already put together an impressive juvenile campaign, highlighted by a win in the $50,000 Zia Juvenile Stakes, a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 New Mexico Breeders Futurity, and a third-place finish in the Grade 2 New Mexico Spring Futurity. In seven career starts, he has recorded five victories, one second, and one third, earning $129,789 for Tungsten Racing Partnership.

Bred in New Mexico by Jaime Cervantes, Big Ted is a son of Tf Im That Guy and out of the Heza Motor Scooter mare Shez Jessa Scooter. Trainer Omar Vargas will saddle the gelding from post six, with jockey Sergio Becerra, Jr., aboard as the pair aims to add a Grade 1 championship to his growing résumé.

The excitement continues in the eighth race with the $425,000-est. New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Derby, where ten 3-year-olds will compete over 400 yards at approximately 4:40 p.m. The finalists secured their spots in the September 19 trials, setting the stage for a competitive championship featuring some of the state's leading sophomore runners.

King Estate leads the Derby field as the 5-2 morning-line favorite, returning after a determined trial victory that showcased his ability to overcome adversity. Despite a slow start, the gelding rallied with a strong late run to prevail by a head, posting the third-fastest qualifying time.

King Estate has been remarkably consistent throughout his sophomore campaign, finishing in the top three in all five starts this season and recording three victories, including the Grade 2 $204,000 Zia Derby. His career record now stands at four wins and $150,127 in earnings for owners Lifes A Dream Farm and Racing, LLC, who purchased him for $43,000 at the Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale.

The New Mexico-bred gelding is by Eye Am King and out of the First Down Dash mare Curlie Cue. Bred by MJ Farms, King Estate is trained by Rodolfo G. Valles and will break from post two, with regular rider Christian Cardenas returning to the saddle. The pair will aim to continue their successful partnership with another major Derby victory.

The championship action kicks off in the seventh race with the $100,000 New Mexico State Fair Q.H. Juvenile Stakes, scheduled for approximately 4:10 p.m. The 400-yard event features ten 2-year-olds who competed in the Futurity trials but finished outside the top ten qualifying positions, giving them another chance to compete for a significant stakes title.

Bridger headlines the Juvenile Stakes as the 3-1 morning-line favorite, returning after a strong runner-up finish in his trial. Despite being bumped during the race, the gelding battled gamely before being outfinished by Bogarts Brown Sugar, and he earned the fastest qualifying time among the Juvenile Stakes entrants.

Bridger has already established himself as an accomplished stakes performer this season, winning the Grade 2 $389,000 New Mexico Spring Futurity. The gelding has finished in the top three in all five of his career starts and has earned $222,164 for Tungsten Racing Partnership, which purchased him for $155,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms, Bridger is a son of Eye Am King and a Blushing Bug mare, Bridgette Bordeaux. Trainer Omar Vargas will send the talented juvenile from post four, with jockey Jose E. Ortiz taking the reins as Bridger seeks another major stakes victory.

With $850,000 in stakes purses on the line, Sunday afternoon promises an outstanding showcase of New Mexico's homegrown racing talent. From promising juveniles looking to establish themselves among the state's elite to accomplished sophomores seeking another championship, the New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Stakes program will bring together some of the season's most competitive runners for an exciting afternoon at Albuquerque Downs.

The races at Albuquerque Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.