ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 22, 2018—In a sharp effort under champion jockey G.R. Carter, Jr., High Rate Of Motion scored his first career stakes win on Sunday when he defeated Jess Shantastic by a nose in the $145,043 La Fiesta Quarter Horse Derby at Albuquerque Downs. Strykr Force finished half-a-length back in third.

"He really needed that race because it was his first out of the year, and he broke terribly," Carter said. "He hopped out of the gate, but he made a huge late run to get second and qualify. I was confident that if he left the gate better today he’d be right there at the end, and that’s what happened."

Saddled by veteran trainer Michael Joiner, High Rate Of Motion completed the 440 yards in :21.396 seconds, a 95 speed index. The $72,522 winners' purse doubled the sorrel geldings earnings total to $152,913.

High Rate Of Motion races for owner High Rate Partners 2017 and was bred in Louisiana by CNN Breeding. Out of the Brimmerton mare Brimmers Motion, he has compiled a (8) 3-2-1 record and was finalist in the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity at 2.

Carter plans to retire at the end of this year.

"I’ll probably ride in about 15 or 20 more races this year," he added. "But at the end of this calendar year, that’s it."

Runner-up Jess Shantastic races for owner/breeder Staley Forbes and is trained by Tony Sedillo. Jorge Bourdieu had the riding call aboard the Fantastic Corona Jr filly from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jesses Candy. Bred in Texas, Jess Shantastic earned $29,009 for the effort.

Owned-and-trained by Jesus Carrete, third-place finisher Strykr Force picked up $17,405 to boost his bankroll to $170,109. Juan Pulido rode the stakes winning son No Secrets Here from the Strawfly Special mare Fly Thru Time. Malon Cowgill bred the brown gelding in Washington.

Mr Bay Legs, Swankee, Luminatre, Flash Cannon, Seminole Senator, Kiss My Ivory and Apollitical Brooke completed the field.

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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.