ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 5, 2020—Hard knocking Mister Mucho Gusto returned to the races after a long layoff to post the fastest qualifying time for the $125,000-est. La Fiesta Quarter Horse Derby at The Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday.

In his first start since February, Mister Mucho Gusto cruised to a 1-¾ length win while completing the 400 yards in :19.585 seconds, equaling a 92 speed index into a 5 mph crosswind. He was ridden by jockey Jorge Bourdieu,

Trainer Antonio Soto saddled the post-time favorite to his fourth career win for owner Wilfrido Guillen. Bred in Oklahoma by Bobby D. Cox, from the Azoom mare Zumbaya, Mister Mucho Gusto was second in the La Fiesta QH Futurity and third in the Four Corners Futurity last season, as well as a finalist in the Grade 2 West Texas Futurity. He has earned $104,278.

Owner Guillen and trainer Soto also teamed to win the opening trial with Favorite Latin Lover who posted the second fastest clocking of :19.658 seconds, a 92 speed index with a 4 mph crosswind. Jacob Enriquez-Navarro had the riding call.

Bred in Texas by Steve Burns, Paul Jones and Thompson Racing, the son of leading sire Favorite Cartel has won five of six starts including the Desert Classic Futurity at Turf Paradise last year. He was second in the AQRA President's Fall Futurity in his only loss. Out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Charming, Favorite Latin Lover has earned $36,516.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to The Downs at Albuquerque on Sunday, September 20th to vie for the winner's share of the purse.

For the complete list of La Fiesta QH Derby qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

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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.