KJ Bad Moon Rising (pictured), a homebred son of the Apollitical Jess stallion KJ Mucho Macho Man racing for John and Kathy Lee, is one of nine state-bred sophomores entered in Sunday’s 400-yard, $90,000 New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association Stakes (RG2) at Sunland Park.
The 7-2 morning-line favorite, KJ Bad Moon Rising will be making his first start since October 13, when he scored a head victory in the sport’s richest state-bred futurity, the 400-yard, $1.16-million New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG2) for state-bred 2-year-olds at Albuquerque Downs. Wes Giles trains the bay gelding.
KJ Bad Moon Rising’s record includes a second-place finish in the sport’s richest race, the September 2, $3-million All American Futurity (G1) at Albuquerque Downs. The bay gelding drew the rail post and will be ridden by Christian Ramos.
KJ Bad Moon Rising’s eight opponents include graded stakes winners Woody Rocks and BV Bridgette Cartel. A sorrel son of Woodbridge trained by Tony Sedillo for owner CHR Racing, Woody Rocks will also be making his season debut. The gelding has won two of his three starts at the 400-yard distance, including last year’s $368,000 Zia Futurity (RG1) at Albuquerque Downs.
Woody Rocks was a $25,000 yearling purchase from breeder MJ Farms at the 2023 New Mexico-Bred Sale. The gelding drew post 2 and will be ridden by Luis Martinez.
BV Bridgette Cartel is a gray daughter of Big Daddy Cartel racing for the Tungsten Racing Partnership from the barn of trainer Ramon Mendoza. A $28,000 yearling buy from breeder MJ Farms at the ’23 New Mexico-Bred Sale, the filly ended her 2-year-old campaign with a half-length win in the December 15, 400-yard New Mexico Classics Futurity (RG2) at Zia Park.
BV Bridgette Cartel drew post 6 and will be ridden by Luis Flores-Garcia.