Rayenare, under champion jockey James Flores, won the $207,731 La Fiesta Derby at The Downs in Albuquerque Sunday afternoon.

© Coady Media

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 20, 2024–Rayenare (8-1) raced to his first career stakes win on Sunday when he defeated Bp Moonlight by half-length in the $207,731 La Fiesta Derby at The Downs in Albuquerque.

Under champion jockey James Flores, Rayenare completed the 400 yards in 19.959 seconds into a 30 mph headwind.

Trainer Manuel Rodriguez saddled the New Mexico-bred son of leading sire Apollitical Jess to her fifth career in 15 starts for owner MRB Racing LLC.  Dr. Richard Beck bred the Rayenare from the stakes winner Mongoose Jet Eye, by Mr Eye Opener. 

The winning connections of Rayenare accept the La Fiesta Derby stakes trophy on Sunday. © Coady Media

Rayenare was a finalist in the Rainbow Futurity(G1), Dash For Cash Futurity(G2) and West Texas Futurity at 2. The $103,866 La Fiesta winner's purse nearly doubled his earnings to $214,449.

Rayenare returned $16 to win, $9.60 to place and $5.20 to show.

Trainer James J. Gonzales, III, saddled runner-up Bp Moonlight for owner David Pena-Marrufo. Joseph Belloc, Jr. had the riding call aboard the Moonin The Eagle filly from the Southern Cartel mare Bp Shes Southern.  The $41,546 runner-up payday increases Bp Moonight's earnings to $126,630.

Another half-length back, Nori took home $24,928 after finishing third. Manuel Rodriguez named jockey Esgar Ramirez to ride the Favorite Cartel gelding for owner-breeder MRB Racing LLC. Bred from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Paint On Canvas, Nori has earned $145,6451.

Mitey Relentless, Tres The Favorite, Fezzo, Macdara, Tempting Barbie, Hopes Flying Ivory, and Trump This Record.

Live racing at Albuquerque returns Wednesday with a nine-race card. The first post is at 6:05 p.m. (MDT).