Donelli (pictured), a homebred daughter of Big Daddy Cartel racing for Mac and Janis Murray’s MJ Farms and the fastest qualifier, heads a field of 10 state-bred 3-year-olds entered back in Sunday’s 400-yard, $252,077 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Derby (R) at Albuquerque Downs.

Donelli is coming off of a neck victory as the 3-10 favorite in the second of three trials on August 29. The filly has earned $280,244 from 10 starts, and her six wins include a three-quarter length win in last year’s 400-yard, $386,000 New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG3).

Donelli drew post 2 and will be ridden by Alan Hernandez for trainer Wes Giles.

Other contenders include Mi Moonflash, a homebred First Moonflash filly trained by Jimmy Padgett for owners Pierre and Leslie Amestoy of Albuquerque, and Roger K. Beasley. The third-fastest qualifier, Mi Moonflash is coming off of a Ruidoso Downs summer campaign during which the filly ran second, a neck behind Mister Riptide, in a 400-yard Zia Derby (RG2) trial on July 11.

Mi Moonflash was a finalist in last year’s New Mexico Cup (RG2) and New Mexico State Fair (RG3) futurities. The filly drew post 3 and will be ridden by Alonso Rivera.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:
Easters Regard (Alfredo Sigala), 10-1
Donelli (Alan Hernandez), 2-1
Mi Moonflash (Alonso Rivera), 8-1
Dark Moon (Francisco Calderon), 3-1
Jess Getaway (Joseph Belloc Jr.), 4-1
Lionesse (Mario Delgado), 5-1
Finnley (Mauro Salcedo), 6-1
Anakena (Jose Amador Alvarez), 12-1
Apollo Chicks (Noe Garcia Jr.), 12-1
Don Chuy C (Esgar Ramirez), 8-1
AE-Mischka Cartel (Marcelo Barraza), 15-1
AE-Kelly Call Me (Erik Lujan), 20-1