SUNLAND PARK, NM—DECEMBER 29, 2019—Restricted Grade 1 finalist Jess Tequila Talkin led a contingent of MJ Farms state-breds into the $226,108 January 25th Shue Fly Stakes(RG3) final during six trials, valued at $8,900 each, conducted Friday at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

Jess Tequila Talkin drifted out under jockey Tanner Thedford in a powerful effort to win the third trial by 2-¾ lengths, posting the fastest time of :19.550 seconds for the 400 yards into a 6-mph crosswind.

Trainer Jackie Riddle saddled the son of leading New Mexico sire Jesse James Jr for owner Gary W. Hartstack. Fourth in the $434,210 Zia QH Futurity (RG1) at Ruidoso Downs last summer, the bay gelding has compiled a (7) 3-1-1 record and banked $58,747.

MJ Farms bred Jess Tequila Talkin from the Stel Corona mare Wish You Had One To. Hartstack paid $22,000 for the gelding at the 2018 Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale.

MJ Farms is the owner-breeder of second fastest qualifier Donelli, a restricted Grade 3 winning daughter of leading sire Big Daddy Cartel. The first of three qualifiers ridden by jockey Alan Hernandez, Donelli cruised to a 1-¼ length win in the opening trial to stop the timer at :19.679 seconds, into an 8-mph crosswind.

Wesley Giles conditions the homebred filly out of Tres Of Alice by Tres Seis. A winner of four of six starts last season, the gray filly has strung together three consecutive wins that also include the $386,196 New Mexico State Fair QH Futurity(RG3) in her last start September 22. She has earnings of $214,638.

MJ Farms also bred 4th fastest Close To Crazy and 6th fastest Six Pack Fame. They are owner and co-breeder of the 10th fastest qualifier Champagne Room.

Tf Featured Effort, who finished as the 7th Leading First Crop Sire of Money Earners in 2019, sired two Shue Fly qualifiers including third fastest Jess Featured Girl. Jockey Paul Garcia rode the sorrel filly to a 1-¼ length win in the fourth trial, stopping the timer at :19.793 seconds with a 6-mph crosswind.

A finalist in the Spring Fling Futurity at Sunland last season, trainer J. Danny Urista conditions Jess Featured Girl for owner Sandra Bean. Cynthia Dick bred the filly from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Adoration. She has won three of seven starts and earned $47,866.

Jesse James Jr led all sires with three qualifiers, Big Daddy Cartel and Tf Featured Effort had two each.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Sunland Park on Saturday, January 25th to vie for the winner’s purse valued at $106.270.

For the complete list of She Fly Stakes (RG3) qualifiers, their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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Except for opening day Thursday, Dec. 26, live racing at Sunland Park takes place on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday basis through Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Post time to start the season is 12:25 p.m. Nine races will be carded on weekdays. Ten races will be presented on Saturdays and Sundays.