Racing


Mia Moonflash Best In Inaugural Running of Champagne Lane Stakes
Mi Moonflash (#5) gets up over Icy Morning Breeze (#3) In the $50, inaugural running of $50,000 Champagne Lane Stakes Saturday evening at The Downs In Albuquerque.

© Coady Photography
Mia Moonflash Best In Inaugural Running of Champagne Lane Stakes

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 1, 2022—Mi Moonflash out-dueled Icy Morning Breeze to a head win in the inaugural running of the $50,000 Champagne Lane Stakes Saturday evening at The Downs In Albuquerque. Post time favorite Fancee rallied late to  end up a nose off the leaders for third in the blanket  finish.

Ridden by jockey Alfred Sigala, Mi Moonflash completed the 350 yard task in :17.287 seconds, equaling a 97 speed index into a brisk 20mph headwind. It was the sixth career win for the daughter of champion sire First Moonflash.

Trainer Todd Fincher saddled the 5-year-old mare for owners Pierre Amestoy, Jr., Leslie Amestoy and Roger Beasley. The New Mexico homebred is out of Mi Camila (TB) by Southern Halo(TB). The $29,000 winner's purse boosted her bankroll to $210,547.

Mac Murry presents the Champagne Lane Stakes trophy to Leslie and Pierre Amestoy, Jr. at The Downs in Albuquerque Saturday. © Coady Photography

Trainer Jackie Riddle trains runner-up Icy Morning Breeze for owner William R. Robertson. Hector Aldrete rode the graded stakes winning filly from the Attilia's Storm (TB) mare Icy Storm (TB). Winner of the Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Derby last year, the Winner's Version filly has earned $270,555. William and Mary Robertson is the breeder.

Multiple graded stakes-placed Fanncee picked up $5,000 for third. Wesley Giles trains the homebred daughter of leading sire Big Daddy Cartel for owner-breeders MJ Farms. Adrian Ramos was aboard the 4-year-old out of champion Astica by Jesse James Jr. She has earned $166,428.

First Flashin, Crown N Royal, Outta Debt, La Bella Julia, Kellys First Moon and Run Potion 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.