Aj Run For Cash, ridden by Manuel Gutierrez, wins the $40,000 Casino at the Downs Quarter Horse Stakes at the Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday.

© Coady Media

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 26, 2024–Aj Run For Cash, the only filly in a field of boys, made a strong comeback with her first victory of the season after six starts. She won the $40,000 Casino at the Downs Quarter Horse Stakes held at the Downs in Albuquerque on Saturday.

Manuel Gutierrez got the leg up aboard Aj Run For Cash in the 440-yard stakes race. The four-year-old filly dug in for a wire-to-wire victory in 21.049 seconds, resulting in a 102 speed index. The victory paid $11.80 to win on 9/2 odds.

The daughter of world champion sire Apollitical Jess defeated Lethal Demon, ridden by Christian Cardenas, by a neck at the wire. Kj Wildthang and rider Adrian Ramos placed a solid third two lengths back.

The winning connections of Aj Run For Cash accept the $40,000 Casino at the Downs Quarter Horse Stakes trophy at The Downs At Albuquerque on Saturday. © Coady Media

Aj Run For Cash hasn't won a race since November of last year, nine starts back, in the Falling In Loveagain Handicap at Los Alamitos. She was a finalist this year in the So. Cal. Derby [G2], Dashingly Handicap and Florentine Handicap Stakes.

After cashing in tonight's $24,000 victory earnings, the Aj Run For Cash has $133,186 in the bank, and her record improved to 7-4-2 from 26 starts. Emilio Guerrero saddled the gray filly for owner Boardshorts Stables, LLC.

Rancho El Cabresto bred Aj Run For Cash in California. The $63,000 Los Alamitos Mixed Sale graduate is out of Shyann Cash by Takin On The Cash.

Trainer Mark Brown owns and bred runner-up Lethal Demon with his wife Peggy. The daughter of A Revenant broke his maiden in July of this year. He now has two wins from 14 starts with $57,543 in the bank. The $68,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale repurchase is out of Easily Lethal by Corona Cartel.

Third-place finisher Kj Wildthang has five wins and earnings of $127,616 from 24 starts for owners John and Kathy Lee and Ruben Mares. Lee and Sherwood Racing, LLC bred the five-year-old gelding in Arizona from the Tres Seis mare Wild Six. Wes Giles trains the multiple graded stakes finalist.

Post-time favorite Relentless Legacy, Shaundas Eagle and Hes Grandee Gl complete the order of finish.