Fastest qualifier Nori headlines the $207,730 La Fiesta Derby at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sunday.

© Coady Media

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 18, 2024–Nori, a homebred son of Favorite Cartel owned by MRB Racing LLC, drew post 7 for Sunday’s 400-yard, $207,730 La Fiesta Derby for 3-year-olds at Albuquerque Downs.

The fastest qualifier from four trials run September 27, Nori is coming off of a one-length victory in the last heat. The gelding has earned $120,723 from 14 races, and he was a finalist in the sport’s richest race for sophomores, the September 2, $1.041-million All American Derby G1 at Albuquerque Downs.

Nori will be ridden by Esgar Ramirez for trainer Manuel Rodriguez.

Vista Del Sol’s Tempting Barbie, a sorrel daughter of champion Tempting Dash and a $31,000 purchase at the 2022 Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City, is coming off of a one-length win in the second La Fiesta Derby trial. Marco Flores trains the filly, whose resume includes a second-place finish, a head behind winner One Little Liar, in the March 2, $157,000 West Texas Derby (G3) at Sunland Park.

Tempting Barbie drew post 9 and will be ridden by Sergio Becerra Jr.

The La Fiesta Derby, and all Albuquerque Downs races, can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.