White Lightenin is the Fastest Qualifier to the November 26 New Mexico Classics QH Derby

White Lightenin, a sorrel son of the Mr Jess Perry stallion Eye Am King racing for Denis and Julie Schoenhofer, is the fastest qualifier to the November 26, $170,000-added New Mexico Classics Derby (RG2) for state-bred 3-year-old Quarter Horses.

Racing in the first of four 400-yard trials at Zia Park on Sunday, White Lightenin defeated fourth-fastest qualifier Vintage Bourdeaux by three-quarters of a length in :19.132, a clocking accomplished against a reported 8-mph head wind. Noe Garcia Jr. rode the gelding for trainer James Gonzales II.

White Lightenin was bred by Mac and Janis Murray’s MJ Farms at Veguita, New Mexico, and he was purchased as a yearling by the Schoenhofers for $32,000 at the 2021 New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs. The gelding is out of Alice K White, a homebred daughter of 1987 AQHA world champion First Down Dash and the sport’s champion 3-year-old filly in ’09. White Lightenin is a half brother to 2015 champion sophomore filly Astica.

White Lightenin has won three of 11 races and has earned $174,033, and his race record includes a second-place finish, a half of a length behind winner Talbott, in last year’s 400-yard, $626,000 New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG2) at Albuquerque Downs.

Second-fastest qualifier Flash Divine won the fourth heat by a half of a length from fifth-fastest qualifier Codex. Trained by Jesus Rondan Jr. for owners Jimmy Negrete and Jimmy Vazquez, the homebred First Moonflash colt went 400 yards in :19.221 while racing against a reported 10-mph head wind. Manuel Gutierrez rode Flash Divine.

Flash Divine is out of Girlonthego, an 11-year-old Man On The Move mare purchased as a yearling by Negrete and Vazquez for $20,000 at the 2013 New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs. Raced in New Mexico in 2014, Girlonthego earned $174,146 from six starts and won the Zia Futurity (RG1) at Ruidoso Downs.

Flash Divine was winning for the fourth time in 11 outs and has banked $110,717. The gelding ran second, three-quarters of a length behind winner First Lady On Canvas, in last year’s $350,730 New Mexico Classics Futurity (RG2) at Zia Park.

Pick Your Pour, the third-fastest qualifier, won the second trial by 1 1/2 lengths from 10^th-fastest qualifier RC Jessa Flashn. Prepped by James Gonzales II for owners Orlando Granillo, Azucena Mendoza, and Rene Mendoza, Pick Your Pour covered 400 yards in :19.245 against a reported 5-mph head wind. Ricky Ramirez rode the sorrel son of Jesse James Jr.

Pick Your Pour was bred by MJ Farms, and he was a $25,000 purchase at the 2021 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. The gelding is out of Tangled Vines, a winning homebred daughter of Dash Ta Fame, and he is a full brother to graded stakes winner Rex Hill and stakes winner Vine Master, and a half to graded stakes winner Legend Of The Vine.

Pick Your Pour has earned $286,406 from 10 races — all in New Mexico — and his five wins include last year’s Mountain Top Futurity (RG2) at Ruidoso Downs.

Following is a complete list of New Mexico Classics Derby qualifiers.