Woody Rocks, ridden by Luis Martinez, wins the $50,000 Mountain Top NM Bred Juvenile by a neck at Ruidoso Downs on Sunday.

© Victoria Salazar/Ruidoso Down

RUIDOSO, NM–JUNE 16, 2024–Woody Rocks scores his second consecutive win at Ruidoso this season in the $50,000 Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Quarter Horse Juvenile Stakes on Sunday.

Trainer Tony Sedillo saddled jockey Luis Martinez aboard Woody Rocks for his neck victory over post-time favorite Macho Daddys Girl, who Adrian Ramos piloted. The son of Woodbridge broke fifth on the outside of the 350-yard race. Running into a 12 mph headwind, he made a driving finish for the wire just in time, clocking :17.979 seconds. The slight upset paid $12.60 to win on 5/1 odds.

Woody Rocks' first out was in a maiden at Sunland Park, where he ran dead last. But his next two outs were trips to the winner's circle, including today's stakes victory, which boosted his earnings to $27,483 after cashing in the $21,483 winner's check.

MJ Farms bred the $25,000 Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sales graduate, purchased by his current owner, CHR Racing. Woody Rocks is out of Jr Rock Star by Fantastic Corona Jr.

Runner-up Macho Daddys Girl has lit the board three of four starts and has earned $24,752 for her owner/breeder, Ezra Lee. In April, the Wes Giles trained filly placed second in the New Mexican Spring Fling Stakes at Sunland Park.

The daughter of Kj Mucho Macho Man is out of the Big Daddy Cartel mare Big Daddys Winner.

Ridden by Bryan Candanosa, Kati Bug vied throughout, coming up third at the wire. The daughter of Jesse James Jr has yet to break her maiden from three starts. She has earned $7,215 for owner/breeder Adam Smith. Toby Keeton conditions the sorrel filly out of Duly Noted by Stoli.

Ocean Bridge, Eye For Cambria, Mm Blown Away, Wild Tymes, Stoic Dash and Dahlias Big Daddy round out the order of finish.

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Live racing resumes on Friday, June 21st, with a 10-race card. The first post is 1:00 p.m (MDT).