The New Mexico Cup program offers 11 stakes races worth nearly $2 million to New Mexico-bred quarter horses and thoroughbreds. It is the richest day of state-bred racing anywhere.

In addition to the New Mexico Classic Cup Quarter Horse Championship, the $338,702 New Mexico Classic Futurity (RG2) and the $207,572 New Mexico Classic Derby (RG2) are offered.

Four-time track-record setter First Moonflash (First To Flash-Nagano Moon by Major Rime) is the obvious favorite in the $170,000 New Mexico Classic Cup Quarter Horse Championship. He set three track records at Sunland Park last spring and comes off a track-record effort in the New Mexico Breeders Championship at The Downs at Albuquerque. He raced the 440 yards in :20.979 to win the New Mexico Breeders Championship by 3½ lengths.

Owned by Pierre and Leslie Amestoy and Maria Gonzalez, First Moonflash was eligible to compete in the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship last weekend against open horses in Southern California, but passed to face New Mexico-breds on Sunday afternoon.

In the $338,702 New Mexico Classic Futurity – the richest race on the program – Sixy Chamisa (Sixes Royal-Chicks Chamisa by Chicks A Blazin) stands out after winning five of six career starts. She returned from a 90-day layoff to set the fastest qualifying time of :19.907 for 400 yards while winning her trial.

The SM Cattle Export Company’s Sixy Chamisa counts the $75,000 New Mexico Breeders Futurity among her wins. Her only setback came in the $321,000 Zia Futurity at Ruidoso Downs when she dwelt at the start.

The Reed Land and Cattle Company’s DM Hot Hot Hot (Corona Caliente-DM Charmer by Royal Shake Em) leads the qualifiers to the $207,572 New Mexico Classic Derby after racing to her third straight win by capturing her trial by more than two lengths. She raced the 440 yards in :21.442 for trainer Heath Reed.

Owner R.D. Hubbard is represented by three derby horses – Zamron, Cartel Power and Wildside. Zamron (Dash Ta Fame-Fresh Approach by Special Task) leads the trio after racing in the All American Derby (G1) two starts ago.