ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 22, 2018—Legend Of The Vine, the eighth-fastest qualifier and a 22-1 longshot, scored an upset victory in Saturday's 400-yard, $325,483 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Futurity (RG3) for state-bred 2-year-olds at Albuquerque Downs.

Racing for J & SM Inc. of Fort Stockton, Texas, Legend Of The Vine defeated EB Rapidito by a neck in :19.926. Justin Shepherd rode the gray daughter of Big Daddy Cartel for trainer Fred Danley.

"She broke a step slow, but she ran to them," said Shepherd, who also rode Legend Of The Vine to a second-place finish in her trial on September 7. "The more pressure they put on her, the bigger her heart gets. I wish every horse I rode had her try."

Legend Of The Vine earned the $162,742 winner's share of the stakes-record purse. The filly was bred by Mac and Janis Murray's MJ Farms at Veguita, New Mexico, and she was a $57,000 yearling purchase at last year's New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs.

Legend Of The Vine is out of Tangled Vines, a winning homebred daughter of Dash Ta Fame, and she is a half-sister to Rex Hill, the winner of the 2012 New Mexico Breeders' Futurity (RG3) at SunRay Park.

Campaigned exclusively in New Mexico, Legend Of The Vine has won two of five starts and has banked $169,232.

"She came into this race in great shape, so we were just hoping for the best," Danley said. "I was a little bit concerned when she drew an inside post (2), but it worked out great."

Runner-up Eb Rapidito, a colt by Hearts Miracle, picked up $65,097 for his second-place effort. Jesus Carrete conditions the homebred for owner/breeder Edilberto Estrada. Juan Pulido had the riding call aboard the gray colt out of Muy Rapido by Separatist. A finalist in the New Mexico Breeders Futurity(RG2) in May, he has compiled a (7) 3-2-0 record and banked $92,933.

Nevado Cartel, also a Big Daddy Cartel 2-year-old finished third, a half of a length behind Legend Of The Vine.

Gaston Valenzuela saddled the gray colt out of Merry Merry Fast by Heza Fast Man for owner/breeder Efren Aguilar. He earned $39,058 for the effort. Joseph Belloc had the riding call.

Stuntin Like Daddy, CM Rowdy James, fastest qualifier Winerette, Jade, 2-1 favorite Jess Fire Chick, and Jess Versiontino completed the field. Third-fastest qualifier Cartel Mister was scratched.

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NOTES FROM THE DOWNS: The Downs 2018 live racing season concludes with a 10-race program on Sunday, starting at 1:30 p.m. (MDT). Five stakes are on the docket, led by the 440-yard, $300,000 Albuquerque Fall Quarter Horse Championship (G1), which will be run as a Grade 1 stakes for the first time and has drawn a field of eight, topped by two-time reigning American Quarter Horse world champion Jessies First Down. Estimated post time for the Fall Championship is 4:50 p.m.

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The Downs at Albuquerque Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair, and general admission and parking are always free (via the casino entrance at Louisiana and Central) . For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racing" link at the top of the homepage.