The fastest qualifier from the trials, Harken, will return to the finals of the $1,160,420 New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG2) on Sunday at the Downs at Albuquerque.

© Coady Media

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 10, 2024–Harken, a graded stakes winning son of Eye Am King and the fastest qualifier, drew post 7 for Sunday’s 400-yard, $1,160,420 New Mexico State Fair Futurity (RG2) for state-bred 2-year-old Quarter Horses at Albuquerque Downs.

A $145,000 yearling purchase at last year’s New Mexico-Bred Sale at Ruidoso Downs, Harken races for Alepony LLC. The sorrel gelding has earned $237,214 from six races -- all in New Mexico -- and his four wins include a nose victory in the 350-yard, $351,000 Mountain Top Futurity (RG2) at Ruidoso Downs on June 16.

Harken won the 11^th of 14 New Mexico State Fair Futurity trials on September 20. Sergio Becerra Jr. will ride Harken for trainer Marco Flores.

Harken’s nine opponents include KJ Bad Moon Rising, a homebred Grade 1-placed son of KJ Mucho Macho Man trained by Wes Giles for owners John Lee and Kathy Lee. The second-fastest qualifier, KJ Bad Moon Rising has banked $507,493 from six outs, and his record includes a second-place finish, a neck behind winner Hezgotthelook Z, in Quarter Horse racing’s richest race, the September 2, $3-million All American Futurity (G1) at Albuquerque Downs.

KJ Bad Moon Rising drew post 10 and will be ridden by Adrian Ramos.

The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments:

1. Big Allstar (James A. Flores)
2. JM Famous Wynn (Manuel Gutierrez)
3. Bone Shaker (Noe Garcia Jr.)
4. Easily Bella CSJ (Christian Ramos)
5. Benton Lane (Edwin Escobedo)
6. BV Bridgette Cartel (Luis A. Flores-Garcia)
7. Harken (Sergio Becerra Jr.)
8. JLB Eye The Tiger (Christian Cardenas)
9. Layer Cake (Francisco Calderon)
10. KJ Bad Moon Rising (Adrian Ramos)

All Albuquerque Downs races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.