King Estate, under jockey Christian Cardenas, won the rich $203,549  Zia Quarter Horse Derby (RG2) on Saturday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — JULY 18, 2026 —King Estate dug in through the final strides to hold off a determined rally from Cq Coyame Jessy and score a neck victory in Saturday's Grade 2 $203,549 Zia Quarter Horse Derby at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The New Mexico-bred sorrel gelding covered the 400 yards in 19.219, earning a 98 speed index while securing the winner's share of $85,490. A steady 6 mph headwind greeted the field over a fast racing surface.

Breaking alertly from post eight under Christian Cardenas, King Estate quickly seized command and stubbornly repelled the late charge of Cq Coyame Jessy through the final yards.

Trained by Rodolfo Valles for Lifes A Dream Farm and Racing LLC, the 3-year-old son of leading New Mexico sire Eye Am King out of Curlie Cue, by First Down Dash, was bred in New Mexico by MJ Farms. King Estate was purchased for $43,000 at the 2024 Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale and improved his record to three wins from five career starts while more than doubling his bankroll to $143,327, with the Derby victory.

The winning connections of King Estate accept the Zia Quarter Horse Derby stakes trophy at The Downs at Albuquerque. © Coady Media

Cq Coyame Jessy closed willingly but came up a neck short to finish second, earning $36,639. The gray gelding by multipole stakes sire Big Daddy Cartel out of Runaway Leonarda, by Jesse James Jr, races for Israel Bordier, who also owns the gelding. Bred in New Mexico by Carlos Paez and Israel Bordier, Cq Coyame Jessy is trained by Wesley Giles and was ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. The runner-up added another strong stakes performance to an already accomplished resume.

Another half-length back, Sya Narra held third, earning $20,355. The bay gelding by El Damazo out of Asian Brook, by Brookstone Bay, is owned by Scott Branson and Jimmy Vasquez, was bred by Randy L. and Linda H. Schalla, and is trained by David Gomez-Barraza. Luis Martinez guided Sya Narra, who broke sharply before battling throughout to secure the show spot.

The remainder of the order of finish was Pour Me a Drinkk (4th), King Dynasty (5th), The Ghan (6th), S Super King (7th), Luxurie (8th), Sure Hit (9th), and Ima Gonna B Famous (10th).

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