Luxurie returns to Albuquerque Downs as the morning-line favorite in the $150,000 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Derby.

© Coady Media

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–JUNE 11, 2026–Albuquerque Downs will host an exciting Saturday evening of Quarter Horse racing, with a ten-race program featuring two major stakes events showcasing some of the Southwest's most talented runners. First post is set for 6:05 p.m., and anticipation will build throughout the evening toward the $150,000 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Derby and the $100,000 Ruidoso Maiden Stakes, two races that promise plenty of excitement for fans and bettors alike.

The featured event is race nine, when a talented field of ten New Mexico-bred sophomores returns from the May 3 trial heats to contest the $150,000 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Derby over 350 yards. The finalists have already proven their speed to earn a place in the championship field, and Saturday's showdown offers a chance to add another major accomplishment to their resumes.

Heading the field is Luxurie, the 5-2 morning-line favorite and one of the most accomplished runners in the lineup. The gelding made an impressive return to action in his three-year-old debut, winning his trial despite bearing out, still drawing clear by three-quarters of a length to secure his place in the final. The victory marked his fifth career win and continued a successful campaign that already includes a triumph in the 2025 Grade 2 $346,000 Mountain Top Futurity.

Owned by Triple R Racing Stables, LLC, Wallace Lynn Landrum, Ted Rushing, and Rancho El 48, LLC, Luxurie has earned $239,559, rewarding the confidence shown when the partnership purchased him for $300,000 at the Ruidoso, New Mexico, Bred Yearling Sale. Bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms, the son of Big Daddy Cartel out of the Jesse James Jr. mare Astica will break from post seven for trainer James J. Gonzales III, with Joseph Belloc Jr. aboard as he looks to add another stakes victory to his growing record.

Among the leading challengers is the fastest qualifier, Pour Me a Drinkk, who enters at 9-2 on the morning line after delivering one of the most impressive trial performances. The gelding broke sharply, quickly separated himself from the field, and drew off by 1¾ lengths to secure the fastest qualifying mark. His career has been highlighted by victories in the Grade 2 New Mexico Classic Futurity and a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Shue Fly Stakes, and his earnings have climbed to $230,741.

The son of Prospect to the Top, out of the First Moonflash mare First Cowgirl Flash, was bred and originally trained by the late Fred Danley. Now racing for Bob McClure and Sandra K. Barrett, the talented gelding is conditioned by Gerald E. Marr and will leave from post eight under jockey Oscar Andrade Jr. as he seeks to convert his top qualifying effort into a stakes victory.

The excitement begins one race earlier in the eighth with the $100,000 Ruidoso Maiden Stakes, where the ten fastest qualifiers from the May 31 trials return to race 350 yards. The field is loaded with promising young runners looking to take the next step in their careers.

Get Gone 123 enters as the 5-2 morning-line favorite after posting the fastest qualifying time. The gelding delivered a strong effort in the trials, pulling away to a half-length victory and establishing himself as the horse to beat in the final. With two wins from six career starts, he now seeks his third win and first stakes triumph.

The Texas-bred gelding races for J & SM, Inc., and was bred by his owners. Sired by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of the Desirio mare Wild Mares Milk, Get Gone 123 will break from post two under trainer John A. Stinebaugh, with Francisco Zamora retaining the mount.

With championship hopes on the line and two prestigious stakes races anchoring the card, Albuquerque Downs is set for a memorable Saturday evening. From proven stakes performers to emerging stars, the Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Derby and the Ruidoso Maiden Stakes promise speed, drama, and standout performances as another exciting weekend of racing unfolds in New Mexico.

The races at Albuquerque Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.