Racing


First Moonflash Sires 'Daily Double' in New Mexico Classic Futurity and Derby
Mad About The Moon winning the New Mexico Classic Futurity(RG2) at Zia Park Sunday afternoon.

© Coady Photography
First Moonflash Sires 'Daily Double' in New Mexico Classic Futurity and Derby

HOBBS, NM—OCTOBER 25, 2024—No. 1 second crop sire First Moonflash continued his assault on the 2014 leading sires list Sunday when his offspring scored wins in both the $289,728 New Mexico Classic Futurity(RG2) and the $$207,482 New Mexico Classic Derby(RG2) at Zia Park.

Mad About The Moon Cruises In New Mexico Classic Futurity

David G. Valdez' Mad About The Moon cruised to an easy half-length victory in the $289,728 New Mexico Classic Futurity(RG2) at Zia Park Sunday afternoon.

Coming off a second place effort in the $2.6 million All American Futurity on Labor Day, the First Moonflash gelding pocketed the winner's check of $139,071 to push his earnings to nearly $541,000 and move him to #3 on the leading money earning 2-year-olds list for 2014.

The winning connections of Mad About The Moon accept the New Mexico Classic Cup Futurity trophy Sunday afternoon at Zia Park. © Coady Photography
Sergio Becerra, Jr. was aboard the Gene Burden trainee who completed the 400 yards in :19.297 seconds, a 97 speed index into an 8 mph headwind. The bay, which has now earned more than100 times his purchase price, sold for $5,000 in the 2013 Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale. Hughes Donaldson Horse Company bred Mad About The Moon from the I Be Streakin mare Streaking Power.

“He ran really well, but I actually thought he ran better in the trials,” Becerra Jr. said. “He still has more. [Montauk] outbroke me, and he had to make up some ground.”

Looking for her fifth straight win, New Mexico State Fair Senorita Futurity winner Montauk was forced to settle for second place earning $46,357. Tony Gallegos conditions the Dashair filly out of Old Lady Mitchell, by Dean Miracle, for owner Pedro Carrillo. Bred by Richard Franco, the sorrel miss has earned $125,59 this season. Jimmy Coates had the riding call.

Mad About The Moon, under jockey Sergio Becca, Jr. cruises to victory in the New Mexico Classic Futurity(RG2)
at Zia Park. © Coady Photography
The multiple graded stakes-placed Winners Version gelding Seeyalateralligator finished 1 ¼ lengths back in third for owners Elton Ezra Lee and Jason Giles. Larry Gamez was aboard the Jason Giles trainee who picked up $23,903 for the effort. Also second in the RG1 Zia Futurity at Ruidoso last summer, Seeyalateralligator has earned $115,479 this season. Carolyn Giles bred the bay from the Mr Eye Opener mare Stars In My Eye.

Completing the field were Fire The Queen, Quemados Version, Miss Blazin First, Blazin Version, Hit With Force and Pretty Woody Jesse. Jm Blu Moonflash was scratched.

First Moonflash's Run First and Third in New Mexico Classic Derby

Fastest qualifier Foxy Moonflash returned Sunday afternoon and held off challenges from Kia Won and champion Handsome Jack Flash to win the $207,482 New Mexico Classic Derby(RG2) by half-a-length. Kia Won ended up second a nose in front of the 2014 All American Futurity(G1) winner Handsome Jack Flash.

Champion jockey G.R. Carter, Jr. pilots Foxy Moonflash to victory in the New Mexico Classic Derby(RG2) at Zia Park.
© Coady Photography
Ridden by champion jockey G.R. Carter, Jr., Foxy Moonflash completed the 440 yards in :21.522 seconds, a 96 speed index into an 8 mph headwind. The $99,592 winner's purse boosted the bay filly's earnings mark to $141,288. C. Dwayne Gilbreath saddled the daughter of leading second crop sire First Moonflash for owner Bobby Simmons. Dosi and Norma Alvarez bred Foxy Moonflash from the Rabbits Rainbow mare Diamonds N Rainbows.

“She beat a really good field,” Carter said. “I couldn’t be more proud to win for a guy like Sleepy.”

Making his second start for trainer Jason Giles, 2014 AQHA Racing Champion 2-Year-Old Handsome Jack Flash looks as if he could be returning to form that saw him win six of ten career starts and earn $1,509,958. He bounced off a fifth place effort in the trials where he was the 10th fastest qualifier to pickup $17.717 for third in the finals.

The winning connections of Foxy Moonflash accept the New Mexico Classic Cup Derby trophy Sunday afternoon at Zia Park. © Coady Photography
The brown gelding races for Norma Alvarez, Brenda Alvarez and his breeder Debra Laney. He is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Shez Jess Nice. L.S. Martinez had the riding assignment.

Jet Version and Sc Dustychampion dead-heated for fourth place. Guess Who Drew, Dm One Hot Charmer, Too Flash For You and The Hitt Man completed the field. Heza Wild Dragon was scratched.