Fastest qualifier Temptingjess For Lmg returned on Sunday to win the $34,000 El Moro De Cumpas Stakes at Rillito Park.

© Coady Photography

TUCSON, AZ—MARCH 17, 2019—The $34,000 El Moro De Cumpas Stakes lives on at Rillito Park, and the historic race was the final Quarter Horse stake of the meet on Sunday afternoon. Fastest qualifier and post-time favorite Temptingjess For Lmg ($4.00) dueled with Dig Deeper for the lead early before pulling away to win by a length.

The final time for the 330-yard race was 16.613. Temptingjess For Lmg and jockey Martin Osuna earned a speed index of 106.

Temptingjess For Lmg is a 4-year-old colt by Tempting Dash, undefeated in three starts in 2019. He won his trial as the fastest qualifier on March 2 in his Rillito debut; prior to Tucson, he had raced at Ruidoso, Zia and Sunland, and is now four for 11 lifetime with $43,125 in career earnings. The El Moro de Cumpas was his first appearance in a stakes race.

Temptingjess For Lmg is trained by Jose Baldilla and owned by Tony Sedillo. The colt was bred in Texas by Schiller Ranch, LLC, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jump Down Jess.

The winning connections of Temptingjess For Lmg accept the El Moro De Cumpas Stakes trophy at Rillito Park.
© Coady Photography

Dig Deeper and Jesus Osuna had the lead at the start of the race but were no match for the winner. The 4-year-old gelding was 10-1 at post time leading into the race despite having won his trial as the third fastest overall qualifier for Sunday’s feature Quarter Horse race.

Dig Deeper is trained by Fernando Gamez for owner Jesus Torres. He was bred by Martha Wells in California, by One Sweet Jess and out of the Corona Cartel mare Halfpast Aheartbreak.

The El Moro de Cumpas was Dig Deeper’s second start at Rillito, prior to Tucson, he had raced exclusively at Turf Paradise. He had qualified for and completed in several stakes including the AZQRA Futurity in 2017.

In third place was Be Quiet and Alex Carrillo. The pair finished fourth in their trial after stumbling at the start in the 4-year-old gelding’s first start at Rillito. Prior to moving to Arizona, the son of Kiddy Up had won three of his 14 career starts at Los Alamitos.

Be Quiet is trained by Eloy Navarro for owner Jesus Avila. He was bred by Ed Allred in California, out of the Check Him Out mare Thinking Out Loud.

Completing the field were Texas Tornadoe, Pirteville Cartel, Higher Icon, Takoradi and Ramble It On.