Under jockey Christian Ramos, Woody Rocks (#8) won the restricted Grade 1 $358,451 Zia QH Futurity at the Downs at Albuquerque Sunday.

© Coady Media

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM–JULY 28, 2024–Mountain Top Juvenile winner Woody Rocks got his second career black-type win on Sunday when he defeated Harken by a neck in the $3368,451 Zia Quarter Horse Futurity(RG1) contested at the Downs at Albuquerque.

Kj Bad Moon Rising was another neck back in the blanket finish to get third.

With a strong rally under jockey Christian Ramos, Woody Rocks took control at the midway point and then inched ahead to complete the 400 yards in 19.350 seconds, equaling a 96-speed index into a 5 mph crosswind.

Trainer Tony Sedillo saddled the $25,000 Ruidoso New Mexico-Bred Yearling Sale graduate to his fourth victory in five starts for owner CHR Racing. MJ Farms bred the Woodbridge gelding from the Fantastic Corona Jr mare Jr Rock Star.  Woody Rocks used the $158,311 Zia payday to increase his bankroll to $191,794.

The winning connections of Woody Rocks accept the Zia QH Futurity stakes trophy on Sunday. © Coady Media

This was the second stakes victory on today's card for the New Mexico sire Woodbridge, who also sired the Zia QH Juvenile winner Ocean Bridge.

Mountain Top QH Futurity(RG2) winner Harken earned $67,847 for his second-place effort under jockey Sergio Becerra, Jr.  Marco Flores trains the $145,000 Ruidoso NM-Bred Sale graduate for Ernesto Soto. MJ Farms bred the Eye Am King colt from Donelli by Big Daddy Cartel. He has banked $231,414 in five starts this year.

John and Kathy Lee's homebred Kj Bad Moon Rising earned $37,694 for third. Trainer Wesley Giles named Adrian Ramos to ride the gelding by first-crop sire Kj Mucho Macho Man.  Bred from the First Moonflash mare Kj Kiss Me Goodbye, Kj Bad Moon Rising has earned $45,693 in three starts.

Three Finger Jack, Suspicious Runner, Hs Danger Weapon, Big Jessie, Macho Daddys Girl, and Alamos completed the field.

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Live racing returns to the Downs at Albuquerque on Friday, August 2, with a 12-race card. The first post is at 12:30 p.m. (MDT).