Boot Scoots, under jockey Mauro Salcedo, posted the fastest time from four trials for the restricted Grade 2 $196,267 Zia Quarter Horse Derby at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino on Saturday.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—July 5, 2025—New Mexico-bred three-year-olds took to the track today at Ruidoso Downs for four trial heats of the restricted Grade 2 $196,267 Zia Quarter Horse Derby, contested at 400 yards.

The ten fastest times will return for the July 19 final, where the winner will earn a lucrative $82,442.

Boot Scoots, a sorrel gelding by multiple stakes sire Jess A Chicks out of the Heza Motor Scooter mare Shez Jessa Scooter, posted the fastest qualifying time of 19.604, a 93 speed index, in the final trial.

Owned by CHR Racing and bred by Jaime Cervantes of New Mexico, Boot Scoots was conditioned by Tony E. Sedillo and ridden by Mauro Salcedo. The promising gelding broke sharply and led every stride to finish nearly three-quarters of a length in front.

A finalist in the Zia Juvenile and New Mexico State Fair Juvenile, Boot Scoots has won four of 12 starts and earned $31,630.

Second-fastest qualifier Eye Im Flashin stopped the clock at 19.679, a 91 speed index, after breaking well to win his heat handily. The sorrel gelding, bred by Paul P Cervantes, is by leading New Mexico sire Eye Am King out of the First Moonflash mare Startedwithawhisper.

Second in the Mountain Top QH Futurity(RG2) last season, Eye Im Flashin races for Tungsten Racing Partnership with Tony E. Sedillo also training this qualifier and Jacob Enriquez in the saddle. A winner of four races and also a finalist in the new Mexico Classic Futurity(RG2) and Mountain Top QH Derby(RG3), he has earned $134,228.

Harken, the winner of his trial by a clear margin, was next with a time of 19.692, a 90 speed index. The Eye Am King gelding out of Donelli, by Big Daddy Cartel, rallied strongly from mid-pack for Alepony, LLC. He was bred by MJ Farms, trained by Jesus M. Soto, and piloted by Noe Garcia, Jr.

Harken was a $145,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate and a multiple graded stakes winner of $364,759. He won the Grade 3 West Texas Derby earlier this year.

CLICK HERE for a list of Zia QH Derby qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

All eyes now turn to Sunday, July 19, when the ten fastest qualifiers will return to the Ruidoso Downs oval to vie for the $196,267 purse in the Zia Quarter Horse Derby final.

The lucrative event, restricted to accredited New Mexico-bred three-year-olds, will award the winner a healthy $82,442 share.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.