New Mexico-Bred Quarter Horses Shine in All American Races

Registered New Mexico-bred Quarter Horses KJ Bad Moon Rising and Miss Hi Tide enjoyed success during Grade 1 stakes run at Albuquerque Downs on Labor Day weekend.

KJ Bad Moon Rising, a homebred son of the Apollitical Jess stallion KJ Mucho Macho Man racing for John Lee and Kathy Lee, ran second as the ninth-fastest overall qualifier in Quarter Horse racing’s richest race, the 440-yard, $3-million All American Futurity (G1) for 2-year-olds. Trained by Wes Giles and ridden by Christian Ramos, the bay gelding finished a neck behind winner Hezgotthelook Z, who with his victory became the first winner of the sport’s Triple Crown in 43 years.

With his runner-up effort in the All American, KJ Bad Moon Rising increased his career earnings to $501,693 from five races, all in New Mexico. The gelding’s record includes a third-place finish, a half of a length behind winner Woody Rocks, in the July 28, $368,000 Zia Futurity (RG1) for New Mexico-bred 2-year-olds at Albuquerque Downs.

Miss Hi Tide ran second as the ninth-fastest qualifier, a half of a length behind winner Especially Goodcandy, in the sport’s richest race for 3-year-old fillies, the 440-yard, $661,653 All American Oaks (G1). Wes Giles trains the sorrel daughter of the Dash Ta Fame stallion Woodbridge for owner Uno Menos.

Miss Hi Tide was purchased from breeder MJ Farms of Veguita, New Mexico, for $80,000 at the 2022 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. The filly is out of Ms Riptide, a multiple graded stakes placed daughter of AQHA champion Ocean Runaway, and she a full sister to multiple graded stakes winner and 2019 All American Futurity runner-up Mister Riptide.

Raced exclusively in New Mexico, Miss Hi Tide has earned $414,546 from eight outs, and her two wins include a one-length victory in the June 15, $175,000 Mountain Top Derby (R) for state-bred sophomores at Ruidoso Downs. The filly’s resume also includes a third-place finish in the sport’s richest race for state-bred 2-year-olds, last year’s 400-yard, $1.209 New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG2) at Albuquerque Downs.