ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 19, 2019—Sister Sophia put in a sharp effort under jockey J.R. Ramirez, Jr. to defeat Cat Daddys Lil Girl by a neck in the $189,405 New Mexico State Fair Quarter Horse Derby Sunday afternoon at The Downs at Albuquerque.

Conditioned by trainer Michael Joiner, Sister Sophia covered 400 yards in :19.668. Mike Joiner trained the sorrel daughter of Big Daddy Cartel for owners Calder and Candy Ezzell of Roswell, New Mexico, who purchased the filly for $32,000 at the 2017 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

"She got a good break, and that’s what we were hoping for," said Candy Ezzell, who has represented District 56, which includes Roswell, in the New Mexico House of Representatives since 2005. "When she pins those ears of hers back, she goes as fast as she can."

Sister Sophia was bred by Mac and Janis Murray’s a href='default.asp?section=9&farm=31'>MJ Farms at Veguita, New Mexico. A finalist in last year’s $410,000 Zia Futurity (RG1) at Ruidoso Downs, the filly has won four of nine starts, and the $94,703 winner’s share of the purse from her first career stakes victory increased her earnings to $145,662.

Runner-up Cat Daddys Lil Girl races for owner/breeders Jimmy Negrete and Jimmy Vazquez. Cynthia Gonzalez trains the gray daughter of Big Daddy Cartel from the Man On The Move mare Girlonthego. Mauro Salcedo was aboard to earn $22,729.

Freedom Flash, a son of leading sire First Moonflash, finished a neck back in the blanket finish to earn $22,729 for third. James Padgett, II trains the bay gelding for owner/breeders Pierre and Leslie Amestoy and Roger Beasley. Out of the Southern halo (TB) mare Mi Camila (TB), Freedom Flash has earned $60,270.

Vintage Vaquera, Delightful Moonflash, J R Bordeaux, Jess Fire Chick, Winerette and Jessa Whistlin Dixie completed the field.

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Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair, and general admission and parking are always free (via the casino entrance on Louisiana and Central). For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racing" link at the top of the homepage.