Zoomin Racer(inside) was awarded the win in the Grade 3 Herman Jefferson Stakes on Saturday at Zia Park after Mahone N Tacklebery (#2) was disqualified and placed seventh for interference.

© Coady Photography

HOBBS, NM—OCTOBER 6, 2018—It was a win via disqualification, but Zoomin Racer overcame interference and was placed first after hitting the wire second in the $50,000 Herman Jefferson Stakes at Zia Park on Saturday afternoon.

Zoomin Racer ($3.20) was the post-time favorite in the 870-yard feature race of the day. The 5-year-old gelding and jockey Jansen Melancon finished five lengths ahead of second-place finisher Linda Tee Fire and posted a time of 45.582 and a 96 speed index.

Zoomin Racer is a multiple graded stakes winner with nine career victories and over $190,000 in earnings. This was his second lifetime start at Zia; he was second in last year’s $50,000 King Rick Rack Stakes. Prior to that start he won the AQHA Distance Challenge Championship Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

Jesus Carrete owns and trains Zoomin Racer. He was bred in Texas by Jerry Windham, by Jess Zoomin and out of the Runaway Winner mare Racing Winner.

Linda Tee Fire finished second, several lengths clear of the rest of the field. Raul Herrera was aboard the 9-year-old gelding, who was making his 52nd career start and has 29 previous starts around the turn. He was second in 2017 running of the Herman Jefferson.

The winning connections of Zoomin Racer accept the Herman Jefferson Stakes(G3) trophy Saturday afternoon at Zia Park. © Coady Photography

Linda Tee Fire has earned $372,835 to date in his career, due in part to qualifying to the Texas Classic Futurity (G1), Texas Classic Derby (G1) and the All American Derby (G1) in 2011 and 2012.

The Walk Thru Fire gelding is trained by Martin Orona, who also co-owns with RC Racing LLC. He was bred in Texas by M. Smith and C. & D. Patterson, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Linda Tee.

Completing the trifecta was last year’s winner of the Herman Jefferson, Fire Thorn, with Duane Sterling up for trainer Cynthia Gonzalez. Like Linda Tee Fire, this was Fire Thorn’s 30th career start in an 870-yard race.

The graded stakes placed son of Shazoom has six career wins, five of which have come around the hook, and has earnings of over $170,000.

Fire Thorn is owned by Danisia Guzman Contreras and was bred in Oklahoma by Danny Joe Miller. The 7-year-old is out of Reba Mcintyler, by Strawfly Special.

Mahoney N Tacklebery finished the race first but was disqualified for interference shortly after the field left the gate.

Completing the field were Regards Miracle, Billy Big Rock, Kingsbury and Jw Who Dat.