New Mexico Classic Derby Qualifiers

Zia Park on Sunday held two trials for the $150,000-added New Mexico Classic Derby (RG2), and Big Allstar set the fastest qualifying time in the second heat at 400 yards. Ridden by Christian Cardenas for trainer Sebastian Gonzales, the Big Daddy Cartel gelding scored by a half-length in a time of :19.152 for a 96 speed index.

Big Allstar is one of six qualifiers bred by 2024 AQHA champion breeder MJ Farms, and he runs for owners Denis and Julie Schoenhofer. The gelding is now a four-time graded stakes qualifier, with his best finish being a second in last year’s $340,708 New Mexico Classic Futurity (RG2). His earnings stand at $137,366 with a record of 12-4-3-1.

Tungsten Racing Partnership’s Alamos won the first trial and set the third-fastest time :19.310 with Christian Ramos up for trainer Tony Sedillo. The gelding by Eye Am King has won half of his eight starts this year. Last time out he finished fifth in the $419,753 New Mexico State Fair Derby (RG3). The winner of that race was millionaire KJ Bad Moon Rising, who finished second by a neck to Alamos in this trial. An earner of more than $1.3 million for breeders/owners John and Kathy Lee, KJ Bad Moon Rising qualified with the fifth-fastest time.

The full list of qualifiers for the November 24 final is as follows: Big Allstar (:19.152), Row By Row (:19.237), Alamos (:19.310), Boot Scoots (:19.316), KJ Bad Moon Rising (:19.351), Myy Fashn Denali (:19.397), Eye For Cambria (:19.399), Woody Rocks (:19.514), One Oh Too (:19.544) and Benton Lane (:19.548). 

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