Under jockey Jacob Enriquez, Royal Post (#7) set the fastest time for the $225,000-est. New Mexico Classic Derby(RG2) on Sunday at Zia Downs.

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HOBBS, NM–NOVEMBER 3, 2024–Making her first start since a fourth-place effort in the Mountain Top Derby at Ruidoso Downs on June 15, Royal Post raced to the fastest qualifying time for the New Mexico Classic Derby(RG2) Sunday afternoon at Zia Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from three trial races for accredited New Mexico-Bred 3-year-olds will return to the Eastern New Mexico racetrack on November 24 to vie for the winner's share of a $225,000-est. purse going a distance of 400 yards.

Royal Post drifted in under Jacob Enriquez to win by a half in the fastest clocking of 19.774 seconds, an 86-speed index into a 13 mph tailwind. The daughter of leading third-crop sire Eye Am King survived two objections of interference to hang onto the top qualifying mark.

Trainer Lonnie Vaughn conditions the brown filly for owner LG Racing LLC. The first of four finalists bred by MJ Farms, Royal Post is out of the Big Daddy Cartel mare Bigg Alice. It was the first win in 12 starts for the earner of $53,391. She was second in the New Mexico Classic Juvenile last year.

Zia Juvenile Stakes runner-up Drest For Success finished second to the fastest qualifier to hang on to the second-fastest clocking of 19.880, an 86 speed index. Trainer James J. Gonzales III tapped Christian Cardenas to ride the Jet Black Patriot filly for owner Copper Spring Ranch NM, LLC and Ellison Carter.

Copper Spring Ranch NM, LLC bred the stakes-placed earner of $42,626 from the Corona Cartel mare Devilewithabluedress.

Copper Spring Ranch NM, LLC also bred the fourth fastest qualifier, Sweetest Emotion, another Jet Black Patriot filly.

CLICK HERE for complete details on the $225,000-estimated New Mexico Classic Derby [RG2] trials, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer, and jockey.