HOBBS, NM—DECEMBER 2, 2018—Coming off a win in the Namehimastreaker New Mexico Classic Championship(RG1) on barley a month ago, multiple graded stakes winner Major Bite scored a one-length over Jess Bein The Hero in the $200,000 Zia Park QH Championship(G1) Sunday afternoon at Zia Park.

"He's run with the best in New Mexico, and that's why he's the New Mexico champion," Fernando Carret,e the son of trainer Jesus Carrete, told Martha Claussen in the winner's circle following the race. "When he ran second to Jessies First Down (in the Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship-G1), we felt he was ready for this grade 1."

Ridden by jockey Jose Alvarez, Major Bites broke well then cruised to a :21.793 clocking, a 94 speed index into a 21 mph headwind for the 440 yards.

"Jose (Alvarez) has been on the horse three or four times this year and has done really well, Carrete continued. "He fits the horse."

The son of leading New Mexico sire Jesse James Jr races for owner Israel Bordier. Bred by Carlos Paez, from the Major Rime mare Dyna Mo Rime, Major Bits has compiled a (26) 10-5-3 record and used today's $120,000 Championship winners' purse to push his earnings to $671,012.

The 2018 has been the 5-year-old's most successful season, winning five of six starts and banking $426,000.

Trainer Josue Ponce saddled runner-up Jess Bein The Hero for owner Juan Martinez-Labastida. Manuel Gutierrez rode the multiple graded winning Valiant Hero gelding who entered today off a five-race win streak that include Sam Houston Championship Challenge(G) and three other stakes.

Bred in Texas by Curtis Crenwelge, from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Braggin, he earned $44,000 to bring his earnings mark to $196,870.

Valiant Rogue, a 5-year-old gelding by Valiant Hero, finished a head back in the show position to pick up $20,000 for owner Wyok Ranch LLC. Trainer James Padgett, III trains the multiple graded stakes winner for owner Wyok Ranch LLC. Alonso Rivera had the riding call aboard the $789,197 Oklahoma-bred. Bollenbach Farms is the breeder.

Apolltical Chad, Katella Deli, Tough To Bee, Believe Me Irene, A Passion For Flashn, Papaws Paint and Apollitical Brooke completed the field.