Eagles And Dragons Leads the Qualifiers to the November 9, $145,000-added New Mexico Cup Futurity

Joe Rios’ Eagles And Dragons, a sorrel son of the First Down Dash stallion Zulu Dragon, is the fastest qualifier to the November 9, $145,000-added New Mexico Cup Futurity (RG2).

At Zia Park on Monday, Eagles And Dragons won the last of eight 350-yard trials by two lengths in :17.713. Jaime Leos rode the gelding for trainer Juan M. Gonzalez.

Eagles And Dragons was bred by Nahum Prieto, and he was coming off of a 10^th-place finish in the September 7, $3-million All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs, Quarter Horse racing’s richest and most prestigious race. The gelding is out of Effortless Eagle, a winning 8-year-old daughter of the Mr Jess Perry stallion One Famous Eagle who was a finalist in the 2014 Sunland Park Winter Futurity (G2).

Eagles And Dragons’ second dam, the Tiny’s Gay mare Tinys Illusion, ran second in the ’83 Firecracker Futurity (G2) at Delta Downs. Raced exclusively in New Mexico, the gelding has won three of five outs and has earned $73,600.

Second-fastest qualifier Bigg Dee, a Big Daddy Cartel gelding owned by Rex Wells and a $30,000 yearling purchase at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale, won the fourth heat by a neck from fifth-fastest qualifier Dragon On Ice. Ridden by Mario Delgado for trainer James J. Gonzales II, Bigg Dee went 350 yards in :17.763 while earning his third win in six races.

Bigg Dee was bred by Mac and Janis Murray’s MJ Farms at Veguita, New Mexico. The gelding has earned $31,840, and his summer campaign at Ruidoso Downs included a victory in the July 26, 400-yard Zia Juvenile Stakes (R) for New Mexico-bred 2-year-olds.

Bigg Dee’s dam, Miss Woody Dee, is a homebred 11-year-old daughter of the Dash Ta Fame stallion Woodbridge. His third dam, the First Down Dash mare Deelish, as the sport’s champion 2-year-old filly in 1998 and champion aged mare in 2000.

Mr Money Baggs, the third-fastest qualifier, won the first trial by a neck from fourth-fastest qualifier Icy Morning Breeze. Prepped by Casey Lambert for owners Glover, Hamlin, and Stallings LLC, the Sixes Royal gelding went 350 yards in :17.765. Sergio Dominguez rode Mr Money Baggs, who was a $40,000 buy at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale.

Mr Money Baggs was bred by Dee Mooring and Jaime Cervantes. His dam, Money Smart Gal, is a winning 14-year-old daughter of the First Down Dash stallion First Smart Money. Mr Money Baggs’ second dam, the Takin On The Cash mare Lynns Allante, was a multliple stakes winner in New Mexico and California from 1998-2001.

Mr Money Baggs has won three of seven races and has earned $24,508.

The complete list of New Mexico Cup Futurity qualifiers follows: