Field Set for Inaugural Mountain Top Quarter Horse Derby

Rex Wells’ Bigg Dee (pictured, inside with white cap) on Saturday set the fastest qualifying time to the June 19, $90,636 Mountain Top Derby (R) for New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds at Ruidoso Downs.

Ridden by Mario Delgado for trainer James J. Gonzales II, Bigg Dee won the second of six trials by a half of a length from second-fastest qualifier Fanncee, covering 350 yards in :17.551. The gelded son of Big Daddy Cartel earned a 94 speed index while racing against a reported 6-mph head wind.

“He’s such a big (horse) that it took a moment for him to gather himself when the gates opened,” said Delgado. “Once he started rolling and found his rhythm, I could tell it was going to be a fast time.”

Bigg Dee was making his first start since November 9, when he ran second, a half of a length behind winner Icy Morning Breeze, in the 400-yard, $360,000 New Mexico Cup Futurity (RG2) at Zia Park. The gelding was bred by Mac and Janis Murray’s MJ Farms at Veguita, New Mexico, and he was a $30,000 yearling purchase at the 2019 New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs.

“He had a very nice 2-year-old campaign, so we’ve given him plenty of time to rest and prepare for this summer,” said Gonzales of Bigg Dee. “We’ll run him back in this final, and then we’ll look for other opportunities. We think 440 yards is his best distance.”

Raced exclusively in New Mexico, Bigg Dee has won four of eight outs and has banked $96,699.

Fanncee went 350 yards in :17.610 while making her first start since September 20, when she finished second, 1 1/4 lengths behind winner Woodys Gold, in the 400-yard, $387,000 New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG3) at Albuquerque Downs. Alan Hernandez rode the homebred gray daughter of Big Daddy Cartel for owner MJ Farms and trainer Wes Giles.

Fanncee has won one of six races and has earned $89,378. The filly’s dam, the Jesse James Jr mare Astica, was the sport’s champion 3-year-old filly in 2015.

Third-fastest qualifier Leading Cartel was successful in his return to New Mexico, as the bay son of Big Daddy Cartel won the sixth heat by two lengths in :17.667. Esgar Ramirez rode the gelding for owner Reliance Ranches LLC and trainer Mike Robbins.

Leading Cartel was bred by MJ Farms, and he was a $45,000 yearling buy at the 2019 New Mexico-Bred Sale. The gelding has banked $188,907 from six outs, and his five wins include a neck victory in last year’s 350-yard, $334,000 Mountain Top Futurity (RG2).

Leading Cartel was coming off of a fifth-place finish in the 350-yard, $252,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park on March 20.

The complete list of finalists appears below: