Graded stakes winners Leading Cartel, Hollyn Bootie, and Icy Morning Breeze are among 49 New Mexico-bred sophomores entered in Saturday’s Mountain Top Derby (R) trials at Ruidoso Downs.

Six 350-yard trials will be contested. The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the inaugural $150,000-est. Mountain Top Derby final on June 19.

A gelded son of Big Daddy Cartel and a $45,000 yearling purchase at the 2019 New Mexico-Bred Sale, Leading Cartel returns to New Mexico after a fifth-place placing in the 350-yard, $252,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park on March 20. Leading Cartel has earned $185,307 from five races, and his four wins include a neck victory in last year’s 350-yard, $334,000 Mountain Top Futurity (RG2).

Leading Cartel is trained by Mike Robbins for owner Reliance Ranches LLC. The gelding drew the rail post and will be ridden by Esgar Ramirez in the sixth heat.

Hollyn Bootie is a homebred daughter of Big Daddy Cartel trained by Trey Wood for owners Mark and Annette McCloy. The gray filly has banked $154,678 from four races — all at Ruidoso Downs — and she broke her maiden at odds of 15-1 in last year’s 400-yard, $353,000 Zia Futurity (RG1).

Hollyn Bootie drew post 7 and will be ridden by Tanner Thedford in the fifth trial.

A homebred Winners Version filly racing for Mary Robertson and The Estate of William R. Robertson Sr., Icy Morning Breeze ended her 2-year-old campaign with a half-length victory at odds of 13-1 in the November 9, $360,000 New Mexico Cup Futurity (RG2) at Zia Park. Icy Morning Breeze has won two of five starts and has earned $184,244.

Icy Morning Breeze drew post 8 and will be ridden by Hector Aldrete for trainer Jackie Riddle in the first heat.