Toastin Heros, under jockey Jacob Enriquez, won the $190,873 La Fiesta Derby at Albuquerque Downs Sunday.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 19, 2025—Fastest qualifier Toastin Heros proved much the best in Sunday’s running of the, $190,873 La Fiesta Derby at Albuquerque Downs, closing strongly to secure his first stakes victory.

Ridden by jockey Jacob Enriquez, the 3-year-old sorrel gelding stopped the timer in 19.098 seconds for 400 yards, earning a 103 speed index while running into a five-mile-per-hour headwind on a fast track.

Bred and owned by Gene Cox of Oklahoma, the son of champion sire Valiant Hero out of Toastin With Coronas by Coronas Leaving You is trained by Clinton Crawford.

Sent off as the 1.40 favorite, Toastin Heros broke alertly from post nine, gained momentum midway, and drew away late to win by one and one-quarter lengths. The victory was worth $95,437, doubling his lifetime earnings to $184,737.

The winning connections of Toastin Heros accept the La Fiesta Derby stakes trophy at Albuquerque Downs Sunday. © Coady Media

Toastin Heros, a winner of six of 14 career starts, was also a finalist in the Heritage Place Derby(G2), Remington Park Derby(RG1), and West Texas Derby(G3) this year.

Peppa, a brown filly by leading second-crop sire Chilitos out of Newport Lilysdelight by Tres Seis, finished second after leading much of the way. Bred and owned by the Terrazas Family of Texas, the filly is trained by James Gonzales III and was ridden by Christian Cardenas.

Winner of the Albuquerque Juvenile Stakes last season, Peppa earned $38,175 for her runner-up effort, gamely holding second by a neck after being caught late by the winner’s strong finish. She has earned $86,508 in 11 starts.

Eagle Aye, a brown colt by world champion sire One Famous Eagle out of Miss Aguilar by Tres Seis, closed strongly to finish third. Bred in Texas by Bobby D. Cox, Eagle Aye races for Tungsten Racing Partnership and Heysol Howlet and is conditioned by Ramon Mendoza.

Jockey Sergio Becerra, Jr. guided the colt, a 2023 TQHA Yearling Sale purchase for $155,000, to earn $22,905 for his performance. A graded stakes winner, Eagle Aye has banked $142,350 in 13 starts.

Toastin Heros returned $4.80 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.80 to show. Peppa paid $12.40 to place and $8.00 to show, while Eagle Aye returned $4.80 to show.

Jess Sonny D, Paramounte Streakin, A Dream Fulfilled, Paradise Pete, Respct, Racy Cowboy, and Ducan completed the field.

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