Sure Hit, ridden by X wins his trial and clocks the fastest qualifying time to the Shue Fly Stakes (RG2).

© Coady Media

By Emily Paulk, Stallionesearch

SUNLAND PARK, NM—JANUARY 10, 2026— The fastest qualifiers for the $100,000-added Shue Fly Stakes (RG2) were decided Saturday afternoon at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, with five trial races contested at 400 yards to determine the field for the January 31 final.

Fastest qualifier honors went to Sure Hit, who delivered a decisive victory in the fourth trial to stop the clock in :19.653 while earning an 86 speed index. Ridden by Jacob Enriquez, the sorrel gelding broke on top, dueled briefly, and crossed the wire with a 1¾-length advantage.

The effort marked Sure Hit’s fourth career win from eight starts and continued a strong sophomore campaign. He is owned by Christopher J. Lykins, Conda Maze, and Downtime Enterprises LLC, trained by Clinton Crawford, and was bred in New Mexico by Bryan and Megan Petty.

The son of Multiple Grade 1 winner and sire Jet Black Patriot is out of Merchant Of Hope by Bayern. From eight career starts, Sure Hit has compiled four wins, one second, and one third, with earnings of $96,383. His record includes a third-place finish in last year’s New Mexico Breeders Futurity (RG2) at SunRay Park, along with finalist efforts in the New Mexico Classic Futurity (RG2) and New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG2).

Second-fastest on the day was Pour Me A Drinkk, who captured the third trial in :19.668 while earning an 85 speed index. The brown gelding was ridden by James A. Flores and is owned by Fred I. Danley and Bob McClure, with Danley also conditioning the runner.

Bred in New Mexico by Fred Danley, Pour Me a Drinkk is by2-time Champion Prospect To The Top out of First Cowgirl Flash by First Moonflash. He enters the final with four wins from seven starts and earnings of $191,352. The gelding wrapped up his two-year-old season with a victory in the New Mexico Classic Futurity (RG2).

Third-fastest qualifier was Jet Black Eagles, who, despite being bumped at the break, finished second behind Pour Me A Drinkk while clocking :19.781 and earning an 82 speed index. Ridden by Christian Ramos, the gelding is a homebred for Mike G. Parker and is trained by Dominic C. Duree.

Jet Black Eagles is by Multiple Grade 1 winner and sire Jet Black Patriot out of Secret Eagles by One Famous Eagle. He has hit the board in five of eight starts and now holds career earnings of $45,546. His record includes a finalist effort in last year’s New Mexico Breeders Futurity (RG2).

The Shue Fly Stakes (RG2) final will be contested January 31 at Sunland Park, offering a purse of $100,000 added and restricted to accredited New Mexico-bred 3-year-olds. CLICK HERE for the complete list of qualifiers.

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