Call Me Jessiecartel (pictured), a son of Jess A Chicks and the fastest qualifier from five trials run on January 13, is one of 10 New Mexico-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses entered back in Sunday’s 400-yard, $100,000-added Shue Fly Stakes (RG2) at Sunland Park.
Trained by Eric Valenzuela for owners Empire Racing and Pavon Racing LLC, Call Me Jessiecartel made his sophomore season debut with a three-quarter length win in the first trial. The gelding has earned $248,264 from eight races, and his four wins include a nose victory in last year’s 400-yard, $388,000 Zia Futurity (RG1) at Ruidoso Downs.
Call Me Jessiecartel was a $23,000 yearling purchase at the 2022 New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs. The gelding drew the rail post and will be ridden by Sergio Becerra Jr.
Reigning AQHA champion trainer Wes Giles will send out two Shue Fly finalists, including Chicka Boom Babe. A homebred daughter of Chicks Regard racing for Robert M. Driggers and Ben Lee Ivey, the filly has banked $176,488 from nine starts, and she ended her juvenile season with a victory in the 350-yard, $299,000 New Mexico Classics Futurity (RG2) at Zia Park.
Chicka Boom Babe drew post 8 and will be ridden by Adrian Ramos.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:
Call Me Jessiecartel (Sergio Becerra Jr.)
Big Posies Cartel (Jacob Enriquez)
Whiskey Whiskey (Jose L. Enriquez)
Over Da Edge (Luis A. Flores-Garcia)
Lil Newt (Gerardo Vera)
Solid (Larry Marquez)
Sweetest Emotion (Francisco Calderon)
Chicka Boom Babe (Adrian Ramos)
Royal Post (Jorge Nieto-Saenz)
M Eye Six (James Flores)