New Mexico-bred Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses enjoyed their time in the spotlight during Zia Festival weekend, held July 25-26 at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack.
Ten state-bred stakes — five for Thoroughbreds and five for Quarter Horses — were offered during the two-day festival. Stakes purses totaling $905,620 were paid to the connections of the participants.
Quarter Horses owned by Mark and Annette McCloy stole the show by winning the festival’s richest races on Saturday and Sunday. Mister Riptide (pictured in green cap, red silks), a son of Woodbridge bred by MJ Farms, won Saturday’s 400-yard, $183,073 Zia Quarter Horse Derby (RG2) for 3-year-olds. Ricky Ramirez rode the gelding and $22,000 yearling purchase for trainer Charles “Duke” Shults.
On Sunday, the McCloys took the 400-yard, $322,547 Zia Quarter Horse Futurity (RG1) for 2-year-olds with Hollyn Bootie. A homebred gray Big Daddy Cartel filly, Hollyn Bootie was ridden by Tanner Thedford for trainer Blane Wood.
Twenty races were contested during the weekend, 10 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday. A total of $1,015,323 was wagered — $533,703 on Saturday and $481,620 on Sunday. The on-track handle on both days totaled $186,240, while $820,083 was wagered off track.
Following is a recap of all Zia Festival races, listed in the order they were run. Also rans are listed int their order of finish:
SIERRA STARLET HANDICAP (R) (Saturday)
Purse, $50,000 — 5 1/2 furlongs
3-year-old fillies
Winner: Tight Fittin Jeans (F, Shame On Charlie-Curvy Kitten by Ministers Wild Cat)
Owners: Greg Green, Delinda M. Green, and Corie O’Connor
Breeder: Greg Green and Delinda M. Green
Trainer: Greg Green
Jockey: Francisco Amparan
Winning Time: 1:04.46 (muddy/sealed)
Winning Margin: 1 1/2 lengths
Odds: 5-2
Also Rans: Laugharoo, Two Stepper, Last To Blush, Reception (9-10 favorite), Shugs Charlie, and Selfish Woman.
ZIA QUARTER HORSE HANDICAP (RG2) (Saturday)
Purse, $50,000 — 400 yards
3-year-olds & older
Winner: Jess A Satin Flash (7G, First Moonflash-Jess Satin by Mr Jess Perry)
Owner: Bertha S. Irigoyen
Breeder: Mike Abraham
Trainer: Rene Saucedo
Jockey: Adrian Ramos
Winning Time: :19.948 (muddy/sealed)
Winning Margin: head
Odds: 13-1
Also Rans: No Mires A La Luna, Daddys Wine, Eyes On Mollie, Woodys Copy Cat, Wahene Version, Jess To Reel, Magnifico Dragon, Diamond And A Half (5-2 favorite), and Siximoons.
ZIA QUARTER HORSE DERBY (RG2) (Saturday)
Purse, $183,073 — 400 yards
3-year-olds
Winner: Mister Riptide (G, Woodbridge-Ms Riptide by Ocean Runaway)
Owners: Mark & Annette McCloy
Breeders: MJ Farms
Trainer: Charles “Duke” Shults
Jockey: Ricky Ramirez
Winning Time: 19.885 (muddy/sealed)
Winning Margin: neck
Odds: 5-2 (favorite)
Also Rans: Close To Crazy, Donelli, Flashing Moolah, First Neon Moon, Doinwhateverittakes, Bigg Jack, Stominado, Dark Moon, and Colby James.
ZIA 870 CHAMPIONSHIP (R) (Sunday)
Purse, $50,000 — 870 yards
3-year-olds & older
Winner: Wascallywittlewabbit (5G, Heza Motor Scooter-Rabbits N Diamonds by Rabbits Rainbow)
Owner: Rogers Farms
Breeder: Mike Weatherly
Trainer: Mike Joiner
Jockey: Benito Baca
Winning Time: :45.089 (muddy/sealed)
Winning Margin: 2 1/2 lengths
Odds: 3-1
Also Rans: Regards Miracle, Hollywood Henry (11-10 favorite), Dan The Flashman, Weappear, Diabolical Ruler, and Rod James.
LAND OF ENCHANTMENT HANDICAP (R) (Sunday)
Purse, $50,000 — 7 1/2 furlongs
3-year-olds & older
Winner: Next Affair (5G, Diabolical-Burning Affair by Twin Spires)
Owner: Chase Carter and Levi James
Breeder: Cleber J. Massey
Trainer: Joel Marr
Jockey: Luis Fuentes
Winning Time: 1:33.44 (good/sealed)
Winning Margin: 4 1/4 lengths
Odds: 3-1
Also Rans: Mister Kowen, Sea Emperor, Ancient Land (2-1 favorite), Charlie Comanch, and Streaks Bro.
SIERRA BLANCA HANDICAP (R) (Sunday)
Purse, $50,000 — 5 1/2 furlongs
3-year-olds & older
Winner: Rig Time (5G, Right Rigger-Stardust Lady by Dry Gulch)
Owners: Larry R. Teague and T. Harry Teague
Breeder: Larry R. Teague
Trainer: Weston Martin
Jockey: Isaias Enriquez
Winning Time: 1:02.00 (good/sealed)
Winning Margin: 3 1/2 lengths
Odds: 2-1 (favorite)
Also Rans: Wheredoesthecashgo, Del Mar Summer, My Indian Warrior, E J’s Gold, Mr Mooch, Pulpits Fox, No Pasa Nada, Rebounder, and D E Lover.
ROAD RUNNER HANDICAP (R) (Sunday)
Purse, $50,000 — 5 1/2 furlongs
3-year-olds
Winner: Cerveza (G, Attila’s Storm-Cocktail Girl by Hennessy)
Owners: Joan Dale Hubbard and Paul Blanchard
Breeder: R.D. Hubbard
Trainer: Todd Fincher
Jockey: Luis Fuentes
Winning Time: 1:04.19 (good/sealed)
Winning Margin: 2 1/2 lengths
Odds: 2-1 (favorite)
Also Rans: Effort N Results, Shame On Powers, Franchise Tagged, Stormin Fast, Evaucee, Seven Silver Coins, Jim Edd Who, Deck Humor, and More Action.
ZIA QUARTER HORSE JUVENILE STAKES (R) (Sunday)
Purse, $50,000 — 400 yards
2-year-olds
Winner: Bigg Dee (G, Big Daddy Cartel-Woody Dee by Woodbridge)
Owner: Rex Wells
Breeder: MJ Farms
Trainer: James Gonzales II
Jockey: Mario Delgado
Winning Time: :19.793 (good/sealed)
Winning Margin: 1 1/4 lengths
Odds: 7-1
Also Rans: Out N Gone, Famous Clyde, Have Another One (3-2 favorite), Cruse, Cc Moonflash, Heza Classy Now, Im Jess Sixy, Budget Bomber, and Senor Cartel.
LINCOLN HANDICAP (R) (Sunday)
Purse, $50,000 — 6 furlongs
Fillies & mares, 3-year-olds & older
Winner: Waltzing Attila (6M, Attila’s Storm-Super Sister by Your Eminence)
Owners: Wesley T. Gray and Glenda Gray
Breeder: Wesley Gray
Trainer: Nancy Summers
Jockey: Luis Negron
Winning Time: 1:10.42 (good/sealed)
Winning Margin: 4 lengths
Odds: 5-2 (favorite)
Also Rans: Let It Roll, Flight Song, Beautiful Bounty, Ballinouttacontrol, Wedding Dance, Pink Cadillac, Sofia’s Gift, I’m A Dancin Who, Shug’s Best, and Lady Black Jack.
ZIA QUARTER HORSE FUTURITY (RG1) (Sunday)
Purse, $322,547 — 400 yards
2-year-olds
Winner: Hollyn Bootie (F, Big Daddy Cartel-Datona Doll by Jesse James Jr)
Owners and Breeders: Mark & Annette McCloy
Trainer: Blane Wood
Jockey: Tanner Thedford
Winning Time: :19.856 (good/sealed)
Winning Margin: 1/2 length
Odds: 15-1
Also Rans: Woodys Gold, Vine Master, Fly On Down, Hatchi Zulu, Cristom (6-5 favorite), Ripp, and Jessies Allstar.