Jockey Irwin Rosendo rides Volcoms Favorite to victory in the $60,214 Lip Chip Albuquerque Distance Challenge(G2) at The Downs in Albuquerque on Saturday.

© Coady Media

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–SEPTEMBER 21, 2024–Making his first start since June, Volcoms Favorite. (14-1)  became a graded stakes winner today following a three-quarter length victory in the $60,214 Lip Chip Albuquerque Distance Challenge(G2) at The Downs in Albuquerque.

Under jockey Irwin Rosendo Volcoms Favorite vied mid-stretch, then pulled away from his rivals and held for the victory. The son of champion Jess Good Candy completed the 870 yards in 44.989 seconds, equaling a 94-speed index into a 25 mph headwind.

Trainer James J. Gonzales III saddled the 5-year-old Oklahoma-bred gelding to his fifth career win in 21 starts for owner Nove Racing LLC. Bred by George P. Mitchell, from the Volcom mare Volcoms Delight, Volcoms Favorite used the $29,505 Lip Chip winner's purse to boost his bankroll to $145,675.

The winning connections of Volcoms Favorite accept the Lip Chip Albuquerque Distance Challenge stakes trophy on Saturday.  © Coady Media

Winning this race should set up Volcoms Favorite for his probable next start in the $115,000-est. Lip Chip Distance Challenge Championship(G1) to be run on the AQHA Challenge Championship Night at The Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday, October 26.

Volcoms Favorite was third in last year's Cox Distance Challenge Championship(G1) at Lone Star Park after finishing second in The Downs Distance Challenge Championship(G2) in his previous start.

He returned $29.60 to win, $11.40 to place and $2.40 to show today.

Runner-up Kj Leader Ofthe Pack earned $12,645 for his second-place effort under jockey Adrian Ramos. Wesley Giles trains the Jess Good Candy 4-year-old owner-breeders John and Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares. The graded stakes-placed gelding from the Tres Seis mare Tres Veses has earned $197,925.

Post-time favorite The Grand Legend came up empty off the rail and settled for third to earn $6,322. The 8-year-old son of multiple stakes sire FDD Going Grand suffered his first loss in a seven-race win streak that began with his victory in last year's Cox Distance Challenge Championship(G1) at Lone Star Park.  Trainer Adan Guzman named jockey Noe Villatoro to ride the Texas-bred. Mercy Hinklins Horse Farms LLC bred the Grade 1 winner of $363,180 from the Tres Seis mare Legendary Seis.

Dance The Dust Off, Lethal Fast Man, High On Cuervo, and Lewie Gotta Go completed the field.

Live racing at Albuquerque returns tomorrow with a 10-race card featuring the $85,000 Carlos Salazar Stakes for thoroughbreds. The first post is at 1:30 p.m. (MDT).