HOBBS, NM—OCTOBER 7, 2018—Eagle Coast, a son of world champion and champion sire One Dashing Eagle, got his first stakes win on Sunday by defeating Jess Saying by nose in the $344,250 Grade 2 Hobbs America Derby at Zia Park. Fastest qualifier Sure Fire Quick finished one-length back in third.

Under jockey Sergio Becerra, Jr., Eagle Coast completed the 400 yards in :19.571 seconds, a 96 speed index into a 21 mph headwind. It was the third win seven starts this season and the $166,070 winners' purse boosted his bankroll to nearly $210,000.

Jose Muela picked up a stakes training double after saddling the Hobbs America Derby(G3) winner Believe Me Irene in the previous race (see related story).

Owner Ernest Palacio purchased the sorrel gelding for $20,000 from the Bielau Oaks consignment during the 2017 Ruidoso Select Sale. Bred in Missouri by Jim Streelman and Bill Dale, Eagle Coast is out of the multiple stakes-placed Ocean Runaway mare Coastal Candy.

Still a maiden from only four starts, runner-up Jess Saying was ridden by jockey Manuel Gutierrez and is trained by Ricardo Armendariz. Jimmy and Angela Vasquez own the Mr Jess Perry filly from the First Down Dash mare First Down Sixes.

Also a Ruidoso Select Sale graduate, Jess Saying has finished twice in four starts this season and picked up $55,357 for today's effort. Jerry Windham is the breeder.

Fastest qualifier, 2018 Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity finalist, Sure Fire Quick earned $28,543 for finishing third. Juan Pulido had the riding assignment aboard the Walk Thru Fire gelding for trainer Jesus Carrete. Ricardo Bernal and Reynundo Resendez own the 3-year-old out of One Quick Jess by Mr Jess Perry.

Bred in Texas by Melissa Ann Miller, Sure Fire Quick has earned $72,983 this season.

Breakin New Ground, Badhabit Jess, Swearengen, Kr Cracker Jack and Lethal Moon completed the field.