RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 29, 2018—Trainers Wes Giles' his first graded winner on the Zia Festival program on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs when Bigg Daddy won the $190,937 Zia Quarter Horse Derby(RG2).

Too For Two's Bigg Daddy got the job done in the Derby, however it was not easy for the strong 9-10 favorite.

Bigg Daddy slightly stumbled and then was brushed at the start before showing his class and running to the lead. Frankie James then made a huge late rush and came up a head short of catching Bigg Daddy. First N Forever was third.

Ridden by champion jockey G.R. Carter Jr., Bigg Daddy was timed in :19.635 for the 400 yards.

Bigg Daddy, a $25,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale purchase, picked up $80,195 today and has now earned $744,013 with impressive performances against both New Mexico-bred and open company.

Last year, the third-crop sire Big Daddy Cartel gelding won the $371,000 Zia Futurity(RG1) and then was second in the $3,000,000 All American Futurity(G1). Bred by MJ Farms, from the champion First Down Dash mare Alice K White, he will probably make his next start in the trials to the $1,000,000 (est.) All American Derby on August 19.

Bella Valenzuela owns runner-up Frankie James, a son Jessie James Jr from the Rare Form mare Fabulous Form. Ridden by jockey Adrian Ramos, Frankie James earned $34,368. Randy and Lina Schalla is the breeder.

First N Forever, a daughter of First Moonflash earned $19,094 for third. Michael Joiner trains the brown filly for owners Robert Elliot and Billy L. Smith. Mike Abraham bred First N Forever from the Mr Eye Opener mare Eye Am Forever Yours.

Siximoons, Vietti, Tempting Star Gazer, Flash Tres, Nolans Theory, Amsterdams Big Daddy and Jesse Klee completed the field.

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