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Ah Lana Del Ray Gets First Stakes Victory In The $50,000 Bill Reed Memorial Stakes
Ah Mr Lana Del Ray, piloted by Alfredo Sigala, wins the $50,000 Bill Reed Memorial Stakes by a neck on Saturday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media
Ah Lana Del Ray Gets First Stakes Victory In The $50,000 Bill Reed Memorial Stakes

RUIDOSO, NM–AUGUST 31, 2024–Ah Mr Lana Del Ray drew clear at the break and just lasted to the wire of the 870-yard $50,000 Bill Reed Memorial Stakes on Saturday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

Jockey Alfredo Sigala piloted Ah Mr Lana Del Ray to his neck victory over O Donavan Rossa, who was disqualified from second to eighth for interference at the turn. Durango Jess, ridden by Francisco Amparan, moved up to second, and Moonin The Czech, with Jose Enriguez in the irons, followed in for third.

Ah Mr Lana Del Ray clocked a 97 speed index in 44.729 seconds with a ten mph crosswind. The slight upset paid $11.40 to win on 9-2 odds.

The victory improved his record to six wins from 24 starts, and the $30,000 payday increased his earnings to over $159,000. The Bill Reed Memorial is his first stakes victory. The only other stakes race he's competed in was the Four Corners Futurity in 2021, where he placed sixth.

The winning connections of Ah Mr Lana Del Rey accept the $50,000 Bill Reed Memorial Stakes trophy at the Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday. © Coady Media

Fernando Carrete saddled the five-year-old son of Apollitical Blood for owner Marquez Racing, LLC, who purchased him for $17,000 in the 2020 Heritage Place Yearling Sale. Aaron Harvey bred Ah Mr Lana Del Ray in Louisiana out of Wagon Del Rey by Pyc Paint Your Wagon.

Trainer Michael Megariz III saddled runner-up Durango Jess, a five-year-old thoroughbred gelding, for owner Sammy Cardenas. The son of Classic Empire has earnings in Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing totaling $130,870 with seven victories from 24 starts. Tom Durant bred the bay gelding in Kentucky out of Durango by First Samurai.

Moonin The Czech has earned $112,076 with four wins from 21 starts. Trainer Eric Valenzuela conditions the son of Moonin The Eagle for owner Jose Valdez Partnership. Eg High Desert Farms LLC bred the $37,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate in California from the Fast Prize Cartel mare Matilda Czech.

Moonin the Czech, Heza Classy Now, Good Bye Charlie, Fanci Fancy, Classy Moon and O Donovan Rossa complete the order of finish.