Fastest qualifier Jess Tequila Talkin (pictured) and stakes winner Donelli are among the 11 New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds entered back in Saturday’s 400-yard, $226,200 Shue Fly Stakes (RG2) at Sunland Park.
A bay son of Jesse James Jr trained by Jackie Riddle for owner Gary W. Hartstack, Jess Tequila Talkin opened his sophomore campaign with a clear 2 3/4-length victory in the third of six Shue Fly trials on January 3. The gelding has earned $58,747 from seven starts, and he was a finalist in last year’s $434,210 Zia Futurity (RG1) at Ruidoso Downs.
Jess Tequila Talkin drew post 7 and will be ridden by Tanner Thedford.
Donelli is a homebred daughter of Big Daddy Cartel trained by Wes Giles for owner MJ Farms of Veguita, New Mexico. The gray filly has earned $214,638 from six outs, and her four wins include a three-quarter length victory in the September 22, $386,196 New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG3) at Albuquerque Downs.
Donelli drew post 8 and will be ridden by Alan Hernandez.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:
Jess Featured Girl (Paul O. Garcia), 5-1
Close To Crazy (Jaime Parga Leos), 8-1
Doinwhateverittakes (Adrian Ramos), 10-1
Perrys Regard (Manuel Gutierrez), 8-1
Six Pack Fame (Sergio Becerra Jr.), 10-1
Take It To The Judge (Alfredo Triana Jr.), 12-1
Jess Tequila Talkin (Tanner Thedford), 3-1
Donelli (Alan Hernandez), 4-1
Lewandosky (Ricky Ramirez), 8-1
Champagne Room (Alonso Rivera), 10-1
AE-Finnley (Raul Herrera), 12-1