Flashin Fire (pictured), a multiple graded stakes winning son of champion First Moonflash racing for Josefina Guzman, is one of 53 New Mexico-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses entered in Saturday’s 350-yard Mountain Top Derby (R) trials at Ruidoso Downs.

Flashin Fire will be making his first start since January 29, when his five-race win streak ended with a fifth-place finish, 1 1/2 lengths behind winner Wente, in the 400-yard, $262,000 Shue Fly Stakes (RG2) at Sunland Park. The gelding has earned $310,455 from eight outs, and he scored victories in last year’s 400-yard, $320,000 Zia Futurity (RG1) at Ruidoso Downs, and 400-yard, $301,000 New Mexico Cup Futurity (RG2) at Zia Park.

Flashin Fire drew post 7 and will be ridden by Juan Pulido for trainer Santos Carrizales Jr. in the third of six trials.

Other prominent state-bred sophomores entered in Saturday’s trials include Mr Innovator, a graded stakes winning Big Daddy Cartel gelding who will be making his season debut. Trained by James Gonzales III for owner Cody Cobb, Mr Innovator is coming off of a juvenile campaign during which he earned $132,040 from four races and scored a one-length victory in the 350-yard, $280,000 Mountain Top Futurity (RG2).

Mr Innovator drew post 2 and will be ridden by Mario Delgado in the sixth heat.

The Mountain Top Derby trials also attracted graded stakes winners River Flash, Daddys Mony, and Wente.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the $150,000-est. Mountain Top Derby final on June 18.