JC New Dawn and Classy Moon are among the 28 state-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses entered in Sunday’s 400-yard New Mexico Cup Derby (RG2) trials at Zia Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from Sunday’s three heats will meet in the New Mexico Cup Derby final on October 30.

A gelded son of Woodbridge trained by Edgar Moreno for owners Telma Meraz and Federico Gonzalez, JC New Dawn is coming off of a second-place finish, a neck behind winner River Flash, in the 400-yard, $288,000 New Mexico State Fair Derby (R) at Albuquerque Downs on September 25. JC New Dawn has earned $119,381 from seven outs this season.

JC New Dawn drew post 8 and will be ridden by Daniel Torres in the first trial.

Classy Moon is a homebred First Moonflash gelding racing for Bob and Sissie McClure from the barn of trainer Fred Danley. During his Ruidoso Downs summer campaign, Classy Moon won two of four starts and ran second, 1 3/4 lengths behind winner River Flash, in the 400-yard, $174,000 Zia Derby (RG2) at Ruidoso Downs on August 6.

Classy Moon drew post 6 and will be ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. in the second heat.