The cream of the New Mexico-bred Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse crop will be on display during this weekend’s Zia Festival races at Ruidoso Downs.
A total of 10 stakes will be contested, five for Thoroughbreds and five for Quarter Horses. Following is an exclusive preview of all 10 stakes, listed in the order they will be run. All times listed are Mountain Daylight.
SIERRA STARLET HANDICAP (Friday, estimated post time 3:10)
Purse, $50,000 — 5 1/2 Furlongs
3-year-old fillies
Two Stepper, a homebred daughter of Attila’s Storm owned by Joan Dale Hubbard and Paul Blanchard, is the 9-5 morning-line favorite for Friday’s Sierra Starlet Handicap.
Trained by Todd Fincher, Two Stepper has earned $119,510 from eight starts, and her three wins include a 1 1/4-length victory in the 6-furlong, $100,000 La Senora Stakes (R) at Sunland Park on January 18. The filly drew the rail post and will be ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey and weight assignments and morning-line odds:
Two Stepper (Alfredo Juarez Jr., 121), 9-5
Shugs Charlie (Luis H. Rodriguez, 119), 5-1
Last To Blush (Alfredo Sigala, 118), 8-1
Reception (Shane Laviolette, 120), 7-2
Tight Fittin Jeans (Francisco Amparan, 120), 9-2
Laugharoo (Luis A. Fuentes, 118), 6-1
Selfish Woman (Jimmy Ray Coates, 117), 10-1
ZIA QUARTER HORSE HANDICAP (Friday, estimated post time 3:36)
Purse, $50,000 — 400 Yards
3-year-olds & older
Antonio Gomez’s Diamond And A Half, a 4-year-old daughter of champion First Moonflash trained by Jorge Luis Hernandez, is the 130-pound highweight for Saturday’s Zia Quarter Horse Handicap.
Diamond And A Half returns to New Mexico off of her second-place finish, a nose behind winner Jess B Glory, in the 400-yard, $85,000 Junos Request Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares at Remington Park on May 30. The mare has won four of 12 starts, including two of four at Ruidoso Downs, and she has banked $85,408.
Diamond And A Half drew post 9 and will be ridden by Paul O. Garcia.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey and weight assignments and morning-line odds:
No Mires A La Luna (James Flores, 126), 20-1
Jess A Satin Flash (Adrian Ramos, 128), 9-2
Woodys Copy Cat (Jaime Parga Leos, 129), 4-1
Magnifico Dragon (Alan Hernandez, 127), 12-1
Eyes On Mollie (Emilio Tapia, 127), 15-1
Daddys Wine (Mauro Salcedo, 127), 12-1
Wahene Version (Edgar Martinez, 127), 8-1
Jess To Reel (Paul Nieto, 127), 5-1
Diamond And A Half (Paul O. Garcia, 130), 7-2
Siximoons (Mario Delgado, 127), 8-1
AE-Don Chuy C (Esgar Ramirez, 125), 20-1
ZIA QUARTER HORSE DERBY (RG2) (Friday, estimated post time 4:28)
Purse, $175,000 — 400 yards
3-year-olds
Mister Riptide, a sorrel son of Woodbridge owned by Mark and Annette McCloy, heads a field of 10 state-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses entered in Friday’s Zia Quarter Horse Derby.
Mister Riptide made his sophomore season debut with a neck victory at odds of 1-5 in a Zia Derby trial on July 11. The gelding has won five of seven starts — all at Ruidoso Downs — and he has earned $666,607. Mister Riptide’s resume includes a 2 1/2-length victory in last year’s 400-yard, $434,000 Zia Futurity (RG1), and a second-place finish, a neck behind winner Mr Jess Jenkins, in Quarter Horse racing’s richest and most prestigious race, the 440-yard, $3-million All American Futurity (G1).
Mister Riptide drew post 5 and will be ridden by Ricky Ramirez for trainer Charles “Duke” Shults.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:
First Neon Moon (Mauro Salcedo), 6-1
Colby James (Sergio Becerra Jr.), 10-1
Stominado (Jaime Parga Leos), 9-2
Flashing Moolah (Tanner Thedford), 12-1
Mister Riptide (Ricky Ramirez), 8-1
Dark Moon (Cody Smith), 15-1
Donelli (Alan Hernandez), 3-1
Bigg Jack (Benito Baca), 15-1
Doinwhateverittakes (Noe Garcia Jr.), 20-1
Close To Crazy (Adrian Ramos), 7-2
ZIA 870 CHAMPIONSHIP (Saturday, estimated post time 1:00)
Purse, $50,000 — 870 yards
3-year-olds & older
Why Buy The Cow, a 5-year-old Heza Motor Scooter gelding owned by Carroll A. Durbin, heads a field of 10 state-bred Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds entered in Saturday’s Zia 870 Championship.
Why Buy The Cow made his season debut with a third-place finish in an 870-yard, $14,000 open-condition allowance for New Mexico-breds on June 26. During his 4-year-old campaign, the gelding scored a 2 1/2-length victory in the $145,000 New Mexico Cup 870 Championship (R) at Zia Park.
Why Buy The Cow has won four of 13 starts, including three of six at the 870 distance, and he has earned $162,921. The gelding drew post 4 and will be ridden by Luis H. Rodriguez for trainer Simon Buechler.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey and weight assignments and morning-line odds:
Diabolical Ruler (TB) (Francisco Amparan, 127), 12-1
Weappear (TB) (Duane Sterling, 127), 10-1
Dan The Flashman (Jose Enrique Ortiz, 126), 15-1
Why Buy The Cow (Luis H. Rodriguez, 130), 3-1
Regards Miracle (L. Salvador Martinez, 128), 6-1
Hollywood Henry (TB) (Miguel T. Fuentes Jr., 128), 7-2
Rod James (Frank Reyes, 128), 8-1
Wascallywittlewabbit (Benito Baca, 129), 9-2
AE-D E Wagons Strawfly (Alfredo Sigala, 125), 15-1
AE-El Red (Jimmy Ray Coates, 125), 20-1
LAND OF ENCHANTMENT HANDICAP (Saturday, estimated post time 1:52)
Purse, $50,000 — 7 1/2 Furlongs
3-year-olds & older
Thunder Dome, a 6-year-old chestnut son of Dome, is the morning-line favorite for Saturday’s Land of Enchantment Handicap.
Trained by Dallas Barton for owners W.D. Carson Sr., M.H. Carson, and Leach Racing, Thunder Dome has won nine of 36 starts, including four stakes, and he has earned $570,873 while racing exclusively in New Mexico. The gelding will be making his first start since February 20, when he ran fourth in the 1 1/16-mile, $100,000 Albert & Henry Dominguez Memorial Handicap (R) at Sunland Park.
Thunder Dome drew post 5 and will be ridden by Shane Laviolette.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey and weight assignments and morning-line odds:
Mister Kowen (Luis Negron, 122), 10-1
Sea Emperor (Jimmy Ray Coates, 122), 8-1
Ancient Land (Miguel T. Fuentes Jr., 123), 6-1
Next Affair (Luis Fuentes, 124), 5-2
Thunder Dome (Shane Laviolette, 125), 2-1
Charlie Comanch (L. Salvador Martinez, 121), 15-1
Streaks Bro (Frank Reyes, 124), 7-2
SIERRA BLANCA HANDICAP (Saturday, estimated post time 2:44)
Purse, $50,000 — 5 1/2 Furlongs
3-year-olds & older
Rig Time, a homebred 5-year-old Right Rigger gelding racing for brothers Larry Teague and Harry Teague of Hobbs, New Mexico, heads a field of 10 older runners entered in Saturday’s Sierra Blanca Handicap.
Trained by Weston Martin, Rig Time has banked $317,154 from 21 starts, and his seven wins include a four-length victory in the 6 1/2-furlong, $100,000 Johnie L. Jamison Handicap (R) at Sunland Park on January 26. Rig Time drew post 3 and will be ridden by Isaias Enriquez.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey and weight assignments and morning-line odds:
Del Mar Summer (Miguel T. Fuentes Jr., 120), 6-1
Pulpits Fox (Alejandro Medellin, 119), 15-1
Rig Time (Isaias Enriquez, 124), 3-1
Mr. Mooch (Enrique Gomez, 120), 10-1
D E Lover (Alfredo Sigala, 121), 7-2
Wheredoesthecashgo (Miguel Perez, 120), 8-1
No Pasa Nada (Frank Reyes, 122), 9-2
Rebounder (Jimmy Ray Coates, 120), 12-1
My Indian Warrior (Luis A. Fuentes, 120), 15-1
E J’s Gold (Alfredo Juarez Jr., 119, 20-1
ROAD RUNNER HANDICAP (Saturday, estimated post time 3:10)
Purse, $50,000 — 5 1/2 Furlongs
3-year-olds
Ten 3-year-olds, headed by morning-line choice Evacuee, are entered in Saturday’s Road Runner Handicap.
Evacuee is a son of Abstraction trained by Todd Fincher for owners Joan Dale Hubbard, Paul Blanchard, and Doug Benson. The dark bay or brown gelding has won two of eight starts, including last year’s 6-furlong, $197,000 New Mexico State Fair Thoroughbred Futurity (R) at Albuquerque Downs, and he has banked $152,719.
Evacuee drew post 7 and will be ridden by Alfredo Juarez Jr.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey and weight assignments and morning-line odds:
Shame On Powers (Isaias Enriquez, 121), 12-1
Cerveza (Luis A. Fuentes, 121), 9-2
Franchise Tagged (Shane Laviolette, 121), 6-1
Effort N Results (Miguel T. Fuentes Jr., 122), 7-2
Stormin Fast (Jimmy Ray Coates, 119), 10-1
Seven Silver Coins (Francisco Amparan, 119), 8-1
Evacuee (Alfredo Juarez Jr., 122), 3-1
More Action (Alejandro Medellin, 117), 20-1
Jim Edd Who (Enrique Gomez, 118), 15-1
Deck Humor (Frank Reyes, 118), 15-1
ZIA QUARTER HORSE JUVENILE (Saturday, estimated post time 3:36)
Purse, $50,000 — 400 yards
2-year-olds
Gary W. Hartstack’s Have Another One will put his win streak on the line in Saturday’s Zia Quarter Horse Juvenile Stakes.
A brown son of Jesse James Jr trained by Jackie Riddle, Have Another One has won his last two starts, including a Zia Futurity trial on July 10. The gelding has earned $8,900 from three races.
Have Another One was a $38,000 purchase at last year’s Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. The gelding drew post 5 and will be ridden by Tanner Thedford.
The complete lineup, in post position order including morning-line odds:
Im Jess Sixy (Sergio Becerra Jr.), 15-1
Heza Classy Now (Paul Nieto), 8-1
CC Moonflash (Ricky Ramirez), 8-1
Out N Gone (Noe Garcia Jr.), 5-1
Have Another One (Tanner Thedford), 4-1
Budget Bomber (Jose Enrique Ortiz), 15-1
Bigg Dee (Mario Delgado), 12-1
Senor Cartel (Luis A. Guerrero), 9-2
Cruse (Adrian Ramos), 6-1
Famous Clyde (Alan Hernandez), 20-1
AE-Jess Ravens Wood (Jesus Olivas), 20-1
AE-My Corona Moonflash (Emilio Tapia), 30-1
LINCOLN HANDICAP (Saturday, estimated post time 4:02)
Purse, $50,000 — 6 furlongs
Fillies & mares, 3-year-olds & older
A full field of 12 distaffers are entered in Saturday’s Lincoln Handicap.
Trainer Dallas Barton will send out Orogrande, a 5-year-old Quinton’s Gold mare, for owners W.D. Carson Sr., M.H. Carson, and Leach Racing. Orogrande has banked $47,680 from three races this year, and her season resume includes a second-place finish, a neck behind winner Susans Violette, in the February 8, 6-furlong La Coneja Stakes (R) at Sunland Park.
The 4-1 morning-line favorite, Orogrande drew post 2 and will be ridden by Luis Fuentes.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey and weight assignments and morning-line odds:
Let It Roll (Shane Laviolette, 122), 8-1
Orogrande (Luis A. Fuentes, 123), 4-1
Ballinouttacontrol (Isaias Enriquez, 120), 20-1
Beautiful Bounty (Miguel Perez, 120), 20-1
Pink Cadillac (Francisco Amparan, 120), 15-1
Lady Black Jack (Alejandro Medellin, 120), 15-1
Sofia’s Gift (Miguel T. Fuentes Jr., 123), 5-1
Waltzing Attila (Luis Negron, 123), 9-2
Flight Song (Alfredo Juarez Jr., 122), 8-1
I’m A Dancin Who (Duane Sterling, 122), 6-1
Wedding Dance (Frank Reyes, 118), 30-1
Shug’s Best (Enrique Gomez, 122), 12-1
ZIA QUARTER HORSE FUTURITY (Saturday, estimated post time 4:28)
Purse, $392,547 — 400 yards
2-year-olds
Woodys Gold, a graded stakes placed son of Woodbridge trained by Clint Crawford for owner Cavenaugh Quarter Horses LLC, drew post 7 for Saturday’s Zia Quarter Horse Futurity.
The ninth-fastest qualifier, Woodys Gold broke his maiden with a clear 2 1/4-length victory in the 10th of 11 trials on July 10. The sorrel gelding was a $10,000 yearling purchase at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs.
Woodys Gold has banked $68,384 from three outs, all at Ruidoso Downs, and he ran second, a neck behind winner Leading Cartel, in the 350-yard, $334,000 Mountain Top Futurity (RG2) on June 13. The gelding drew post 7 and will be ridden by Cody Smith.|
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:
Cristom (Noe Garcia Jr.), 9-2
Ripp (Ricky Ramirez), 10-1
Jessies Allstar (James Flores), 8-1
True Romance (Jose Amador Alvarez), 20-1
Hollyn Bootie (Tanner Thedford), 6-1
Fly On Down (Mario Delgado), 15-1
Woodys Gold (Cody Smith), 3-1
Fanncee (Alan Hernandez), 15-1
Vine Master (Sergio Becerra Jr.), 7-2
Hatchi Zulu (Raul Ramirez Jr.), 12-1