Forty-six state-bred sophomores, led by graded stakes winners Call Me Jessiecartel (pictured) and Chicka Boom Babe, headline Saturday’s 400-yard Shue Fly Stakes (RG2) trials at Sunland Park.
A sorrel son of Jess A Chicks and a $23,000 yearling purchase at the 2022 New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs, Call Me Jessiecartel is coming off of a juvenile campaign during which he earned $241,724 from seven races and scored a nose victory in the 400-yard, $388,000 Zia Futurity (RG1) at Ruidoso Downs.
Call Me Jessiecartel drew the rail post and will be ridden by Sergio Becerra for owners Empire Racing and Pavon Racing LLC, and trainer Eric Valenzuela in the first of five trials.
Chicka Boom Babe will be stretching out in distance off of her victory in the 350-yard, $299,000 New Mexico Classics Futurity (RG2) at Zia Park on November 26. Wes Giles trains the homebred gray daughter of Chicks Regard for owners Robert M. Driggers and Ben Lee Ivey.
Chicka Boom Babe drew post 6 and will be ridden by Adrian Ramos in the fourth heat.
The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the February 4, $100,000-added Shue Fly Stakes final.