Fly On Down (#7), ridden by Alfredo Sigala, wins the $100,000 Jimmy Drake Stakes-Div.2 [RG3] at SunRay Park on Friday

FARMINGTON, NM–APRIL 28, 2023–Race nine on SunRay Park’s card Friday evening was the second division of the $100,000 Jimmy Drake Stakes [RG3]. The 400-yard stakes race ended in a dramatic 1-2-3 photo finish for Fly On Down, No Mires A La luna and River Flash who all three crossed the wire 3/4-length ahead of the pack.

After reviewing the replay photos, it was Fly On Down, piloted by Alfredo Sigala, who came out on top by a nose in :19.254 seconds. The five-year-old horse clocked a 110 speed index with an 11 mph tailwind assisting him across the wire. The 3-1 odds victory paid 10.20 to win on a $2.00 wager.

The winning connections of Fly On Down accept the $100,000 Jimmy Drake Stakes-Div.2 [RG3] winning trophy at SunRay Park on Friday evening. © Coady Photography

After collecting the $60,000 winning check, Fly On Down’s bankroll increased to $255,125. Trained by Omar Vargas, the son of One Handsome Man has six career wins, including the Jess Burner Stakes in 2021 and has been a finalist 10 other times in his portfolio of stakes races, including last year’s Jimmy Drake.

Breeders Nannette and Terry Lane of TNL Farms sold Fly On Down to his current owner Dalia Aranda for $7,000 in the 2019 Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale. He is out of Never The Same by Strawfly Special.

Jockey Noe Garcia, Jr. piloted No Mires A La Luna to his second place for the $20,000 runner up’s share of the purse. The son of First Moonflash also clocked a 110 speed index but just missed the wire by a nose.

Currently being conditioned by Ebert Munoz, No Mires A La Luna is no stranger to the racetrack, nor to winning. The seven-year-old gelding owned and bred by Byron Woodard has eight career wins with $690,715 in earnings, including the First Moonflash Maturity [G2], Zia Stakes [G2], Zia Derby [G2] and NM Classic Cup Championship Stakes. No Mires A La Luna’s dam is Dont Looke Ethel by Genuine Strawfly. 

Favored to win, River Flash and jockey Adrian Ramos made a game effort for third just a nose behind No Mires A La Luna. The third place effort upset a seven consecutive win streak for the four-year-old son of Chicks Regard. 

Trained by Wesley Giles, River Flash has lit the board 11 of 14 starts with nine career wins at $417,827 in the bank, including five stakes wins. Bred by Ivey Cattle Co, River Flash is owned in a partnership with Ben Lee Ivey and Robert Driggers. He is out of the First Moonflash mare Riverside Flash.

The Calling, romeos Ranson, Brookes Legacy, Cartel Drunk Playboy, J R Bordeaux, Blue Riband and Mountain Vike completed the order of finish.