ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 16, 2017—Jessies First Down, the reigning American Quarter Horse Association world champion, is one of 27 horses nominated to the September 24, $250,000 Albuquerque Fall Quarter Horse Championship.

A homebred 6-year-old gelding by champion FDD Dynasty, Jessies First Down is trained by Jimmy Padgett for owner Ted G. Abrams of Houston, Texas.

Jessies First Down has won three of four starts and has earned $183,927 this year, and he is coming off of a wire-to-wire, 2 1/2-length victory in the 440-yard, $200,000 All American Gold Cup (G1) at Ruidoso Downs on September 3.

Other prominent nominees include 2015 AQHA world champion Heza Dasha Fire, 2016 All American Futurity (G1) winner Imperial Eagle, multiple graded stakes winner Rite Regal, and 2016 Texas Classic Derby (G1) winner First Valiant Sign.

Entries for the Albuquerque Fall Quarter Horse Championship will be drawn on Sunday, September 17. The winner of this race will earn a berth in the December 16, $750,000 Champion of Champions (G1) at Los Alamitos Racecourse near Los Angeles.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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. General admission and parking (valet and self-parking) are always free. For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the “Racetrack” link at the top of the homepage.